"Covet Thy Neighbor's Cellar": South Charlotte Wine Lovers

The theme for our get together this time was "Covet Thy Neighbor's Cellar". Each of us chose a bottle from the other's cellar. It forced us to check out each other's cellar and choose maybe something we had never had before, maybe something we had but wanted again, or perhaps we made our selections based on other CT Ratings. It was a fun exercise and yielded some great bottles of wine (again!). Of course, I threw in a couple of Chardonnays to start out the evening, and we opened a couple of additional at the end as we usually do. Just another great night of great food and great wine!

Bob and Anita brought what they called the "Blake special" amuse-bouche (fantastic by the way and if I tried to descrive I would not do it justice) and homemade humus that paired wonderfully with the Chardonnay

• 2010 Kongsgaard Chardonnay 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  What a great way to start an evening of fantastic wines with the WS #5 wine for 2012. Had this alongside the Kongsgaard Kings Farm. This was definitely a step up. Polished, smooth, buttery with great mouthfeel and long finish.

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• 2010 Kongsgaard Chardonnay Kings Farm 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Drank alongside a regular Kongsgaard Chardonnay and this held its own. A little more acid, not quite as smooth, a shorter finish - but a great value. Bob actually liked this one a little better.

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As we had our 2nd flight of wines, Bob and Anita served Blue Cheese olives and Elk Sticks (kind of like beefstick - but made with Elk). Both went really well with the Cabs.

• 2002 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I was really impressed with this bottle. If tasting blind, I would have thought this was '09 or '10 - not a 2002. Drank alongside an '04 Etude and this seemed to be the younger more vibrant wine. Deep, dark, black fruits with currant. This wine has plenty of time left. Great wine from a great vintage. My 4th for WOTN.

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• 2004 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Tom chose this from Bob's cellar. This was not decanted and started slow out of the gate as a result. But as I got to the bottom of my glass, this was actually starting to compete much more favorably against the competition (Paul Hobbs Napa '02). Great Rutherford Dust. Medium long finish. Really nice cab. My 5th place for WOTN

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Tom brought his great spinach salad to start us out. Lynn and I prepared Prime Rib au jus that was cooked perfectly with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Dinner was fantastic if I do say so myself.

• 2008 Sherwin Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Spring Mountain District 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  I chose this from Bob's cellar. I have turned into a huge Sherwin fan. I loved the 2007. I think this is even better. Deep red fruits, currant, and great balance. But it is the finish where this wine really kicks ass. Just a rock solid Cab. My WOTN

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• 2007 Jericho Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cabernet 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This wine was so DRY that we all put to the side so we could have with dinner. This is my third bottle from this vintage and I did not get such drying tannins with the other two. I usually like a big tannic wine, but this bottle was a little much if drinking on its own. Once we had the Prime Rib served, it was a lot better. Will wait a while before I open my last bottle. My 6th for WOTN

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Poured the 4th Flight as we finished dinner and finished with a great Southern comfort dessert of Pecan Pie!

• 2005 D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Moose Valley Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Tom chose this from my cellar. This wine was the hands down winner for the best and longest finish out of any wine this night (and we had A LOT of wines) Dark fruits, particularly blackberries with some chocolate nuances. Did I mention the finish? Drank alongside a '02 David Arthur 1147 and preferred this (although a great side by side comparison). My 2nd WOTN.

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• 2002 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon Elevation 1147 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I chose this from Tom's cellar. Very fragrant nose. A bit drier than the D.R. Stephens we drank alongside. Also had a little heat that would probably subside with a longer decant. A focused wine with big fruits a nice finish to keep you coming back for more. My 3rd place for WOTN

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Seems like we always want just a little more...

• NV Sherwin Family Vineyards Cellar Scraps #7 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  This is good. But nowhere close to how good #6 was. Just a little thinner. Did not have the wow factor. Still a fun wine. My 7th place for WOTN.

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• NV Alvear Pedro Ximénez Montilla-Moriles Solera 1927 90 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles

  Tom brought this for us to finish off the night. Dark brown like Formula 44D. Nutty, with licorice, raisins, maple syrup and an addicting sweetness that kept me coming back for just one more sip. At the end of a long night of many great wines, this one finished me off - barely remember going to sleep!

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Bob and Anita's turn to host next. I can hardly wait.