2014 Fall Wine Dinner - Chicago

A wonderful night shared with old and new friends.

Wines were served with a fresh Ahi Poke that was just amazing, grilled spicy shrimp skewers, Bruschetta, and a wonderful gazpacho. The group preferred the Rhys and Rivers Marie equally and they both had enough to stand up to the spicy shrimp without overpowering the subtle and beautiful Ahi. The Staglin was very good but may have been better on its own rather than with the food.
We also went through the Chard and decided that we needed an emergency pinot, so the Rivers Marie Occidental Ridge was popped and poured. It was outstanding paired with the above food as well.

• 2008 Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Decanted for an hour. The wine has a nice focus and pure fruit. It should continue to age well. It was equally liked next to a 2008 Rivers Marie Chardonnay.

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• 2008 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  The wine started off a bit questionable. with a fair amount of spritz (including bubbles in the glass) but after a 2 hour decant has pure fruit with nice crisp acidity. It should continue to age well. It was equally liked next to a 2008 Rhys Chardonnay.

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• 2012 Staglin Family Chardonnay Estate 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  A well made wine in a fuller style. I would see this as a younger drinking wine as it seemed to lack the acidity for longer aging.

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• 2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  A pop and pour. Pure fruit with still enough backbone that I see no reason this won't continue to develop.

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Served with Grilled Lamb and roasted root veggies. The wines were split across the board and were all equally liked by the group. It would have been hard to pick a favorite out of this group.

• 2006 Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red Wine Paradise Hills Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Decanted for 4 hours. The wine was lush but nicely focused. Should continue to age well. It showed very well served against a 2007 Pahlmeyer Red and 2006 Staglin Estate and it was an even split between voters as to which was the favorite.

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• 2007 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Decanted for 4 hours. The wine was the most lush out of the 3 served but it had enough structure that is should continue to age well. It showed very well served against a 2005 Blankiet Estate and 2006 Staglin Estate and it was an even split between voters as to which was the favorite.

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• 2006 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Decanted for 4 hours. The wine was maybe the most focused of the 3, but still had plenty of fruit. It should continue to age well. It showed very well served against a 2007 Pahlmeyer Red and 2006 Blankiet Estate and it was an even split between voters as to which was the favorite.

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Served with a mix of desserts, cake, and general goodness. They all drank very well with somewhat contrasting styles. The group again was split on their favorites and liked them all.

• 2006 Turley Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  A great wine with lots of fruit that has aged well. It was decanted for a couple hours and I did not see signs that this was on a decline and I think it should continue to hold for a few more years at least.

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• 2005 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  A great wine with strong fruit. As I noted in my previous notes I think this needs a little time in the decanter (2 hours this time) as when first open the alcohol can dominate, but after a few hours it really is a nice wine.

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• 2007 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  A more refined style the wine was decanted a couple hours and this really opened up the fruit.

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Such a fun night and I always enjoy doing these. Its such a wonderful way to meet people and just enjoy each others company.