France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Tasted double blind alongside the same wine from 2005 (which was corked). This 2003 was slightly jammy with lush black fruit but in overall good balance. I thought it older than '03 but at a good place now, unlikely to have upside from here.
Large and firm black fruit aromas and flavors. Starts nicely with balanced fruit, but ends with lots of tannins. I wouldn't consider this a particularly food friendly wine right now.
Tasted double blind. Clearly Pinot Noir, but I thought it from Burgundy based on its crunchy minerality, low perceived alcohol and overall good balance, even though the fruit had a more "new world" sweetness. Lots of red berry aromas and flavors with modest spice and fresh herbs.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Tasted double blind. Clearly New World Pinot Noir. Lots of sweet fruit throughout with little textural excitement to me. Overall this is not my preferred style wine.
Tasted double blind. Cross-section of dense black fruit with spice spice. Very good structure provides elegance and impressive balance start-to-finish. Good now with clear upside from here. I had. Ever heard of this wine before.
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Tasted double blind. Slightly floral. Big and fat black fruit aromas with great black pepper, some licorice. Good flavor profile to start, but this gets fairly simple quickly and has a short finish.
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
Served double blind to the tasting group. Decanted an hour+ before serving. Mature red and black berries with baking spice and molasses. Good balance and length. Far better than other bottles of this I've had in recent years.
2007 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Very yummy red cherry with baking spice hints. Moderate length or finesse, but very enjoyable today.
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2005 Château Fleur Cardinale Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Corked.
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2003 Château Fleur Cardinale 87 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Tasted double blind alongside the same wine from 2005 (which was corked). This 2003 was slightly jammy with lush black fruit but in overall good balance. I thought it older than '03 but at a good place now, unlikely to have upside from here.
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2002 Château Léoville Poyferré 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien
Large and firm black fruit aromas and flavors. Starts nicely with balanced fruit, but ends with lots of tannins. I wouldn't consider this a particularly food friendly wine right now.
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2004 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Réserve Flawed
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Corked
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2011 Felton Road Pinot Noir Bannockburn 91 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Bannockburn
Tasted double blind. Clearly Pinot Noir, but I thought it from Burgundy based on its crunchy minerality, low perceived alcohol and overall good balance, even though the fruit had a more "new world" sweetness. Lots of red berry aromas and flavors with modest spice and fresh herbs.
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2011 De Loach Pinot Noir OFS
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Tasted double blind. Clearly New World Pinot Noir. Lots of sweet fruit throughout with little textural excitement to me. Overall this is not my preferred style wine.
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2010 Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Onda 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted double blind. Cross-section of dense black fruit with spice spice. Very good structure provides elegance and impressive balance start-to-finish. Good now with clear upside from here. I had. Ever heard of this wine before.
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2000 Michele Satta Cavaliere 85 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Tasted double blind. Tough wine to identify what it is, and it seemed quite a bit older. Firm with fading fruit.
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2011 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah In the Rocks
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Tasted double blind. Slightly floral. Big and fat black fruit aromas with great black pepper, some licorice. Good flavor profile to start, but this gets fairly simple quickly and has a short finish.
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2003 Joseph Phelps Insignia 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted double blind. Ripe, forward all black fruit with dark chocolate and some licorice. Good balance. Very good now.
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1997 Louis Jadot Echezeaux 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
Served double blind to the tasting group. Decanted an hour+ before serving. Mature red and black berries with baking spice and molasses. Good balance and length. Far better than other bottles of this I've had in recent years.
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