Some highly rated wines on a Saturday afternoon
Patrick's
Tasted Saturday, December 14, 2013 by Loren Sonkin with 692 views
Introduction
This afternoon, I met a bunch of guys to open some bottles. Neither 5 inches of snow falling not a theme of 95+ rated wines (by anyone) deterred us. The wines were opened blind and shared for about 3 hours. While few of the wines lived up to their reputations, all were excellent and we had a lot of fun.
NV Tselepos Amalia Brut Methode Traditionelle 89 Points
Greece, Peloponnisos, Mantinia
Golden in color. The nose has caramel, ginger ale and with air, seltzer. Frothy. Nice acidity. Blind I guessed Prosecco. first Greek sparkling wine I can remember.
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2006 Poggio Nardone Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Not really blind as we could see the Italian strip that read Montalcino. Still, this is nice. Never heard of this producer but someone said it was a WE WOTY at some point. Ruby in color. The nose is dusty with tea and cherries. Cherries and slight licorice on the palate. Firm tannins. Nice.
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2001 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 93 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Ruby in color. Coming after the Brunello I admit I was confused as to what this was. The nose had dusty cherries, some spice. On the palate, cherries, strawberries and spice. My mind went to older Cal Pinot (I guessed 99 or 00 WS). Of course, it all made sense once revealed. ;-) A very nice wine that is in a mature place but no hurry. Complex and layered but still good red fruit.
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2005 Mollydooker Shiraz Carnival of Love 91 Points
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Blind someone guessed Velvet Glove and I agreed or least it was Aussie Shiraz (could have been a Marquis Phillips). Doesn't seem to have budged a whole lot since release but perhaps a bit shut down, maybe. Inky purple in color. The nose is dusty chocolate with raspberries. The proverbial chocolate raspberry shake to drink. A poster child for spoof perhaps, but still once this aired out, there is good fruit and plenty to like here as well. I think time will smooth this out, but we shall see. For most it was love or hate, I was somewhere in between.
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2008 Saxum Broken Stones 96 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
I have had a bunch of Broken Stones lately and thought this might be the wine. Inky purple in color. The nose is deep black raspberry liqueur, blue berries, black pepper. On the palate black raspberries, blue berries, some oak. No trace of heat or alcohol, but this is a big wine. A slight drying on the finish to nit pick. This is delicious and young. Not yet close to peak IMO.
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2008 Jonata Winery El Alma de Jonata 95 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
No one guessed this (I brought it) but it is a unique wine to be guessing blind. Inky purple in color. The nose is complex with black cherries, black raspberries, spice and green tobacco. On the palate, black cherries, a bit of tobacco, drying tannins. This got better during the afternoon and clearly needs time. Quite well made and this should last a long time.
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2009 Bodegas y Viñedos San Roman Toro Viña San Román 92 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
I could see the foil so I knew what this was although not the vintage. This is a very modern, hedonistic take on Tempranillo. Full throttle all the way. The nose has clay, oak and black cherries. More like boysenberries on the palate. Monolithic at this point but sturdy with good texture. Firm tannins. Nice finish. This opened up during the afternoon, I think it is years from peak. I know some don't think the fruit will outlast the oak, but I think it will. Time will tell.
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2009 Rhys Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County
Another chance to try this wine. I know there is some discussion about the Brett issues and when Dick mentioned that he had returned some, I guessed this must be the wine. Yes, there is some Brett, but not an issue with me or most of us at the table. Ruby in color. The nose is cherries with slight barn yard notes. Cherries and dark cherries on the palate. Nice finish. Still quite young and just starting to develop layers.
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2008 Ridge Geyserville 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Always a classic wine. The nose has raspberries, spice, black raspberries and some cedar. Soft, nice texture. Medium tannins. Nice raspberry fruit. Good finish. In a nice stage with some baby fat but rounding out.
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2009 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Some loved this. Purple in color. Decanted. The nose has some VA and a lot of Brett. The VA lifts the barnyard right out of the glass. Also some cherries and spice. I liked the palate much better. Nice texture, the best part of the wine. Cherries, dry forest floor on the palate. Drying on the finish. I guess I am being picky as it was a really nice wine, but two things. 1) I used to buy this wine every vintage and no longer do due to 2) this wine is now $100. Just not worth it to me anymore. Jeff K said it best, this is a great wine but flawed.
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2007 Château de Rayne-Vigneau 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
This is nice. Golden in color. The nose is apples and honey. Slightly viscous. Honey with slight oranges on the palate. Its thinner than most sauternes but that is not a bad thing. Drinks quite easily.
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