New World Dinner at the Capital Grille Tysons

Capital Grille, Tysons, VA
Tasted Thursday, May 22, 2014 by dcwino with 712 views

Introduction

RJ organized a new world dinner. I am not a big domestic wine guy but can’t say no to the Man! He mentioned three Americas but I stupidly assumed that he meant three new world continents as no way he meant the Central America. Oh well.

I was really happy as I discovered the 10 Myriad Beckstoffer. The last time that I was so excited about a napa cab was the 06 Schrader CCS Beckstoffer to Kalon. A truly great wine especially for the price. The 08 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin was the best Marcassin of my life, showing wonderful balance. It seems like Marcassin has dialed back a bit to show better balance.

Flight 1 - Whites (7 Notes)

  • 2009 Peter Michael Chardonnay Cuvée Indigene 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    Ripe yellow fruits, apple, sweet spices, mineral and a hint of heat. Excellent concentration, limestone, very rich fruit and bright acidity. Although impressive and balanced, I don’t find freshness and precision.

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  • 2011 Sanguis Chardonnay Loner W10-a Bien Nacido Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

    Notice a bit of fizz. Some white fruits, lemon curd and mineral. Good concentration and bright acidity. Seem to aim for freshness but also remains very Californian.

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  • 2007 Sine Qua Non Body & Soul 92 Points

    USA, California

    As usual, really depend on your % alcohol tolerance and stylistic preference. If you like SQN whites, you will love this. Ripe white fruits, lychee, acacia, honey and spicy spices. Thick and oily but showing decent freshness, a bit of heat at the end for my palate.

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  • 2010 Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Coup de Coeur 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Tropical fruit driven, coconut, noticeable oak and mineral. Good concentration, ripe but balanced and mineral. A typical high end Californian chardonnay.

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  • 2010 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

    Fresh apple, lemon curd and good amount of mineral. Big scale, ripe, good acidity and balance. Showing good freshness.

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  • 2008 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 97 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    I am not a big fan of Marcassin but this is exceptional. Noticeable smoke, kinda crazy but reminds me smoked Ankimo/uni, really creamy butter, smoked fish, saline, mineral and lemon. Excellent concentration but remains balanced, mineral and fresh. The best Marcassin I have drunk.

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  • 1997 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert

    France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

    Fresh, ripe yellow peach, crème brulee, sweet spices and smoke. Fully matured but remain fresh. Still noticeable sugar which is usual for ZH. Enjoyable.

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Flight 2 - First flight of reds (4 Notes)

  • 2010 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 97 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    I am thinking cult cab, perhaps HSS? A hint of dust, cassis, smoke, lavender, ink, smoke, graphite and earth. Excellent concentration, noticeable mineral expression, polished, silky, noticeable but none obtrusive tannins. Showing great balance, polished palate impression, exceptional concentration and excellent structure. I no longer buy Cab other than Schrader’s but I may need to order this. Wow wine for me.

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  • 2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Really ripe black fruits, cassis, lead pencil, lactic, oak and a hint of oxidative note that bothers me. Good concentration, palate but once again a bit oxidative.

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  • 1994 Dalla Valle Maya 96 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    My guess was the 92 Phillip Togni cab. Classic Californian cab nose, green pepper, white pepper, lead pencil, fresh black fruits and mineral. Lovely mouthfeel, silky and sensual, mineral and lovely seamless finish. Fresh expressive nose and subtle perfectly balanced palate. When it was revealed, I was really surprised. Really enjoyable. Hind sight, it shows a bit more concentration.

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  • 2007 Ovid Red Wine 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Lovely red fruits, soft and warm nose, lead pencil and oak. Nice polished palate, warm and round fruit driven palate impression, silky and polished and nicely integrated tannins .Quite enjoyable but not as expression as #1 and #3.

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Flight 3 - Second flight of reds (5 Notes)

The 07 Bionic Frog was really nice. I guessed an old world style syrah. I was really impressed as RJ guessed it correctly.

  • 2008 Viña Cobos Malbec Bramare Marchiori Vineyard 95 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo

    I am thinking SQN, definitely not a cab, big ripe black fruits, a hint of licorice and dark sweet spices. Impressive concentration, silky palate, good balance and nicely integrated tannin. Hedonistic wine.

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  • 2009 Viña Cobos Malbec Bramare Marchiori Vineyard 95 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo

    Once again I am thinking SQN but more red fruits. Ripe red fruits, ink, licorice and dark sweet spices. Impressive concentration, silky, round and warm palate, good balance and nicely integrated tannins. Another hedonistic wine!

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  • 2001 Torbreck RunRig 93 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    RJ said three Americas and I stupidly assumed and interpreted as new world continents. I thought certainly he didn’t mean central America. Oh well, I should ask next time. Jammy black fruits, licorice, dark spices and dark milk chocolate. Some thought cab as it is actually nicely balanced for such a big wine. Excellent concentration, dark spice driven palate impression, warm and round and nicely integrated tannins. Although well made, not shining compare to the others.

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  • 2007 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog 97 Points

    USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    Greg O who brought this bottle also generously shared the 08 which I was confused with the 04 Chave hermitage. Explosive nose of fresh dark berries, white pepper, dark spices, lavender and a hint of espresso bean. Beautiful silky and polished palate, lovely balance and long clean finish. There is something quite exotic about this wine that I can’t pinpoint, slightly psychedelic and groovy.

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  • 2001 Dominus Estate Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The guys were still thirsty and Greg O generously opened his back up bottle. Unfortunately corked!

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Closing

The wine service was once again exceptional! Walter, our waiter who is passionate about wine went above and beyond to take great care of us. The steaks were cooked perfectly and complemented the big frame wines really well. Another wonderful night with the fellows!

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