Inventory Reduction Event

Tasted Thursday, May 23, 2013 by swapdoc with 361 views

Introduction

A magnificent opportunity to enjoy some old and new world wines, good food, and a terrific company -- all courtesy of a generous friend (and a connoisseur of living to the fullest). I found some marquis California names to be just too oaky and unharmonious, while others and some European wines were truly exceptional. Thank you Chris!

Flight 1 - Excellent/Very Good (4 Notes)

  • 2004 Jean-Michel Gerin Côte-Rôtie

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

    Aromas of animal skin -- quite different from other wines tonight. The wine has a wonderful sweet and dense core -- dark cherries, a bit of menthol. Secondary flavors of sour wild berries accentuate the solid sweet base. Drinking perfectly now. Excellent.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2004 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Big'd Big

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    A wonderful, expansive aroma or roses, cranberries. A bit cloudy, sweet, extracted wine, vibrant and exciting. Some tertiary aromas apparent already, the wine is very enjoyable now though it is still evolving and somewhat tannic. The overall feel is of a luxurious, rich and complex wine. Excellent.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2000 Château Quinault L'Enclos

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    A classic, classic cedar, lead pencil nose. Elegant and effusive wine, bit earthy -- not a fruit driven wine, but very classy. Still coming together and should improve. Very good.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    A focused, tight and at the same time balanced wine with a strong underlying dark fruit. Still tannic and evolving, this was still the best California wine of the evening. Pretty nose, down playing ubiquitous oaky vanilla. Very good.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 2 - Good (3 Notes)

Flight 3 - Notable (just not my style) (4 Notes)

  • 2004 Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Usually a fan of souther exposure Brunelli, I found this bottle just too odd. The creamy, oaky nose was simply off-putting. The dark, stewed fruit based palate felt manufactured, disjointed and lacked character -- found it simply bland. Below average.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2003 Dominus Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    For fans of oaky cabs -- I'm not on of them. Very strong oak and creamy vanilla on the nose. The wine itself just felt concocted, overly sweet at the expense of balance and just tasted as a cheap blend that one can find at a corner convenience store. This is obviously not a style of wine making that appeals to me.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2006 Martinelli Pinot Noir Lolita Ranch

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    A bit of oak on the nose - unusual for pinot - followed in the mouth by fleshy, forward, cranberry juice dominated palate. A forward wine -- there is little minerality and structure to it -- with almost no vibrancy or mid section. The tension between tannic and sweet, mineral and fleshy is skewed toward forward and sweet. Not my idea of an enjoyable pinot.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2006 Neiman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    Did not like a distinct bitter aftertaste reminiscent of almond skins. The wine finished with an aftertaste of green bell pepper and peppercorn.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×