4th Saturday group "uptown" tasting

Wines are tasted double blind in flights, which are arranged randomly, but as much as possible from light to heavy. Each flight is discussed & unveiled before moving on to the next flight.

The Heidsieck was nonblind, enjoyed as everyone arrived. The Kistlers, served double blind to the group, showed well.

• NV Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  Nonblind. Lot# was not legible, but this was purchased in December 2009 and so has been in the cellar for a few years. Apple, caramel and nutty aromas with a toasty overtone. Toast, apple and brioche notes on the palate. Drinking very well at the moment.

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• 2008 Kistler Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Notes of lemon curd, apple and mineral. Banana, coconut, vanilla and toast on the palate with lemon/citrus tones on the long finish. One taster suggested Corton Charlemagne before settling on a Peter Michael Chardonnay. Drinking very well, albeit young. 93-94 pts.

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• 2008 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Deep color with a green tint. Notes of pear, toast, vanilla, hazelnut and lemon. Long finish, but perhaps a bit behind the first white in terms of pleasure, but not by much.

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• 2005 Château Latour Les Forts de Latour 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Deep color. Notes of berries, pomegranate and dark fruit. Full-bodied, with ripe red fruit- boysenberry- and cherry. Balanced, with a long finish. Develops earthy, herbal qualilties as it sits in the glass; loses the ripeness- more currant and blackberry notes. Guessed CA Cab- the fruit was brighter, more typical of CA than Bordeaux. 93+ pts.

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• 2006 Peter Michael Les Pavots 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

  Aromas of dark fruit, pepper, plum and chocolate with a meaty undertone. Firm tannins. Flavors of black fruit, pepper and chocolate. Develops clay, earth and herb notes as it sits in the glass. Berries, dark fruit and herbs on the palate. Long finish with hints of florals. Lovely; elegant. Fairly easy to identify as CA Cab. 93-94 pts.

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• 2003 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  L057 CLOS. I saw some notes on this lot and thought perhaps I would be immune from the problems with this wine. Boy, was I wrong. Light color with notes of plum and candied red fruit with raisiny, pruny overtones. Medium-bodied with a ripe, candied quality on the palate. Angular & disjointed. Thelostverse nailed this as Chateauneuf, and I believe was the only one to do so. I have seen other notes of the same lot from the same retailer with no issues, so I am more inclined to chalk this up to the variation problems than to heat damage...glad I only purchased two bottles of this sh!t.

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• 2002 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Opaque inky crimson color. Aromas of incense, blackberry, cassis, minerals, violets and kirsch. Full-bodied with firm yet approachable fine-grained tannins that have a sweet edge. Very well-balanced with flavors of dark fruit, violets and mineral. Cedar and herb notes emerge with time in the glass, as well as more florals. Black fruit and floral notes on the palate, lingering on the long, balanced finish. Guessed CA Cab. 95+ pts.
  
  The cork had been pulled about 45 minutes prior to the flight being poured, and was quite good from the start. Drink now-2023.

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• 2007 Abeja Syrah 92 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Opaque inky color. Opens with green, herbal qualities along with dark fruit. Turns to coffee, black fruit and loam. Balanced, with dark fruit notes turning to clay and grapefruit. Nice finish. Initially thought Aussie before moving to Chilean cab.

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• 2008 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Opaque color. Notes of violets, vanilla, black fruit, cassis, dill and herbs. Full-bodied with irm yet fine-grained tannins and flavors of blackberry, cassis and cherry. Impressive balance and a long finish.

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• 2008 Lagier Meredith Syrah 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  Dark color. The bouquet features incense, vanilla, black and blue fruits and honeysuckle. Firm, sweet tannins and flavors of black fruit, florals and blackberry on the palate. Good underlying acidity and structure. Lengthy finish. Guessed Syrah.

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• 2002 Cayuse Syrah En Cerise Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Aromas of dark fruit, dill, herbs, citrus and pepper. Citrus tones on the palate as well, along with black fruit and pepper, plum and spice. Develops a meaty quality as it sits. Tart acidity. Guessed WA Syrah.

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• 2002 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Second Chance Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak

  Dark color. Notes of cassis and black currants, pepper, cherry and spice. The palate follows the bouquet, with herbal undertones adding complexity. Shows just a bit hot. Good fruit and structure.

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• 2008 Kistler Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Notes of cherries and earth with spice undertones. The palate follows the bouquet- nice bit of acidity underneath. Pleasant, but not as exciting as it was on release.

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• 2001 Paloma Merlot 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  Needed one more red for the third period, so I decanted this off its sediment and served immediately. Aromas of chocolate, plum, black fruit, chalk and herbs. Well-balanced, with medium tannins and plenty of fruit. Plum, black fruit and chocolate flavors, with black cherry and spice notes on the finish. Just entering its window I think.

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• 1989 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  From 375ml. Deep golden color. Notes of apricot, marmalade and honey. Nicely balanced; flavors of tropical fruit and stone fruit with a long finish.

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