An evening with friends and a lot of wine
Chris and Renee's Home
Tasted Sunday, November 9, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 796 views
Introduction
Last night, my wife and I joined about 20 people for a pot luck get together at our friends Chris and Renee. This was a casual get together with a lot of wine and some great food. We talked, watched college football, and ate. A lot of eating. This was a night, where the wines were good but the food was the star of the show. Well, that and the conversation. It was great to see friends and meet new ones.
Flight 1 (25 Notes)
It was one of those nights. Many of us commented that there were lots of great wines, but nothing stood out. There was no exceptional wine. I guess we are spoiled as that was a bit disappointing in a sense. Not enough to mar the evening of course. But when my wife came up to me and asked what she shouldn't miss, there was nothing to really say. The Schrader and Pride were quickly gone and at that point, the whites were perhaps more interesting.
Closing
Thanks to Chris and Renee. It was great to see everyone.
2005 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Jeff K brought this. It had been opened earlier in the day for lunch and had a couple of glasses left, so I started with it, to make sure I got a taste. The nose has nice cassis with a streak of cinnamon. On the palate, cassis and some coffee grounds. It is drinking well and showing some tight layering. Of course, by this time it was well aerated. Nice finish. No hurry here, but a very nice showing. Glad I got a try as it turned out to be my WOTN.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2011 Jaffurs Roussanne Stolpman Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Others seemed to like this more than I. The nose had a lemon pledge scent, but not in a bad way. Full bodied. There is a waxy lemony quality to the palate. The finish for me seemed a bit drying. It did have a long lemony quality to it also that was nice. White Rhones are often perplexing to me with a few years from vintage so I would be curious where this goes. I did really enjoy it, but many found it there favorite white.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Boundary Breaks Vineyard Riesling 87 Points
USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake
If there was another designation on this bottle, I missed it. Both the nose and the palate reminded me of those tiny cans of dole yellow grapefruit juice you sometimes get on the airplane. It was a bit sweeter though. That is not bad, but its not great either. I didn't find much minerality although Chris mentioned he did. Its from the Finger Lakes. I would like to taste this in a better vintage. I certainly enjoyed it and would not spill it out.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Compagni Portis 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
This was ok. IIRC, I liked the 2010 a bit better. IIRC, this has some Chard, Riesling a bunch of other less seen varietals. This bottle last night, drank very much like a Rhone white. A bit of lemon and a bit waxy. Very dry. Not much complexity. I would prefer a bit more acid. Still, it is a nice wine and enjoyable if not great. It seemed the crowd had higher hopes for this one.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Failla Viognier Alban Estate Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
I am not scoring this one. I do not think the bottle was flawed. Although this is my first time trying this wine, I have had the Alban version a few times. I don't like it. I didn't like this. It tastes dry and hot to me. I get no floral qualities. it could very well just be me and the vineyard do not get along. I didn't hear what others thought.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Cowhorn Spiral 36 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley
This is from Oregon and while I don't know the varietals, this drinks like another Rhone wine. Perhaps because this is young and from a bit cooler climate though, I really liked this. When I quit spitting and went back for a glass later in the evening, this was my choice. The nose is quite aromatic. Lovely white flower qualities on the nose with some peaches. This again does not have much acidity, but it drinks so fresh that it awakens my palate. There is some rs I believe but it doesn't detract from the wine. It probably adds to the lush body. Nice finish. Really a nice wine.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé 90 Points
France, Provence, Côtes de Provence
I know there is a temptation to diss this wine because it is the Bradgelina wine. That would be unfortunate. First, not that it matters much, but the packaging is pretty. Not functional as I would never cellar it, but to buy a bottle for a one night stand, it is quite attractive (hmmm). Anyway, pinkish orange in color. The nose has strawberry and citrus aromas. Medium bodied. Dry. On the palate, plenty of fruit and some complexity. Nice texture. Balanced. No bitterness. In short a very well made and excellent rose.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Seven of Hearts Pinot Noir Curmudgeon Cuvée Armstrong Vineyard 100 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
My first time trying this wine that was bottled as a memorial to our passed friend Bob Wood. It was shitty.
Light in color which I was surprised at for the vintage. Light ruby. The nose has nice cherries, slight candied cherries and is very clean. On the palate, this is very soft in texture. Plenty of cherry and sour cherry fruit. A hint of cough drops. Some complexity although this is very young. I would think Bob would have loved this wine. In another place, I might score it 89-91 points, but that's not really the point here is it. Glad to help out Bob's family and to be able to toast to Bob's memory.
Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2002 Gros Frère et Sœur Clos Vougeot Musigni 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru
A very respectable showing for this wine. I know Jeff hoped for more. This is the third time I remember trying it and this bottle did seem lighter than I remembered. Still I enjoyed it very much. Lighter ruby in color. The nose has some slight funk on it with lighter cherry juice. Showing a nice complexity although I am sure future cellaring will allow it to unwind. Nice balance. This is more elegant and lighter than one might expect for the vintage. I found it to be drinking well and chose a glass when we sat down for dinner.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2000 Pride Mountain Vineyards Petite Sirah 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Pop and pour. This wine is in a very good place right now. Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, graphite and black pepper. On the palate, this is smooth. Softer on the attack. Lots of black raspberry fruit. deep and showing layered complexity. Well balanced. Not a monster PS as this can be in other vintages. Nice finish.
IIRC, they ripped these vines out. Such a shame. I am sure there is more money in other varietals, but the Pride PS's made by Foley were some of the best.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2008 Gamba Zinfandel Russian River Valley 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
I really enjoyed this. At 6 years from vintage, this is still lush and big. The nose has dark cherries and some boysenberries. Big, full bodied. Is there any other grapes in this? Perhaps just old vines. In any event, it has held up well and is very enjoyable.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Copain Pinot Noir Les Voisins 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
The nose has sour cherries and spice. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is drinking nicely. Still has time to go IMO. Sour cherries with some tight layering. Nice balance. A bit bigger than I was expecting which for me, is a good thing. Nice finish. Excellent.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
1996 Fontanafredda Barolo Lazzarito Vigna la Delizia 85 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
I scored this as there were no obvious faults, but I am not sure. The nose is dusty with a slight aquarium note that older wine can get. Also a lot of mint. Tart acidity on the palate. Not much fruit left. Desperately needed some food which helped a lot.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2000 Le Carillon de l'Angélus 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion
I presume this is the second wine of Angelus? Probably a bit past prime by now. The nose is ok with cherries and attic dust. A bit of cigar smoke. On the palate, this is surprisingly thin and a bit tart. Not much fruit left. Probably needs to be drunk up which maybe the first time I have said that about a bottle from 2000.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon 87 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
I haven't had an Eberle wine in a long time. Brought back fond memories. This is a nice Cab. A bit generic, but that is not surprising from the east side of Paso. A bit of cassis, a bit dusty. Nice enough for easy drinking.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah Pleine de Chene Hudson Vineyard North 90 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Sometimes it is about expectations. A bottle that everyone had high hopes for. It was outstanding, but fell short of the crowds expectations so people were disappointed. Sometimes it goes that way. The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper. On the palate, more cherries than black raspberries. Very much a cooler climate profile. A bit of tart acidity was controversial. Probably more suited to the dinner table than a mingling around and munching affair.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
NV Sean Thackrey Pleiades IX Old Vines 88 Points
USA, California
I brought this from my cellar. Its part of a collection of older wines, bought years ago, that were not expensive to see how they would age. This is a NV I think labeled as IX. The current release I see is labeled XXIII, so do the math (or alphabet). It is past prime, but certainly held up and makes for nice drinking. It is better on the nose than the palate. The nose has an earthy funk with black raspberries and some meatiness. On the palate, there is some black raspberry fruit, but it tastes a bit dried and bit tart. Certainly drinking fine and not worth dumping. A visit later in the night showed no real change.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Ridge Geyserville 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Always a solid wine. This is a bit riper than most vintages but still excellent. The nose has black and red raspberries and a mineral note. Very nice texture. Some said they got raisins, but I did not get that. It is ripe. On the palate, it is drinking well. Shows no sign of age. Very enjoyable Geyserville that I think makes excellent old bones.
Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2002 Clos Mimi Syrah Petite Rousse 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Another wine I brought that I had saved to see where this would go with some age. It has an artificial pink cork which worried me. It makes a nice presentation though. The nose is marred b a bit of brett. IIRC, Time Spear got angry with me when I said there is brett on this wine on release. I stick by it though. It has been in my cellar since release and has not bloomed to a terrible amount. Lou, who loves the funk, found it to have too much Band-Aid. I had no real issue, but it is there. Still, there is nice black raspberry fruit left. A nice complexity. It has held up just fine. At $16 and 12 years from vintage, this was a great QPR.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Witchery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
My first time trying this wine. The crowd seemed divided on it. Purple/ruby in color. 14.7% Alc. The nose has a nice cassis quality to it. A slight bit of oak but within reason. On the palate, this has solid cassis fruit. Mono-dimensional. A bit sweet and we wondered about some residual sugar being left in. I do know people who would love this wine. Some wondered if it was just too young and needs time. Perhaps. It is very good if not great. I was told it retails for $75.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Orin Swift The Prisoner 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
I can see why this wine is so popular with a segment of people. I liked this wine. It certainly is not shy nor does it strive to be something its not. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, vanilla and some charred wood. Lush texture. Sweet black raspberries. Medium tannins. This is fun, lush, in your face and quite delicious. Just short of dessert. A little goes a long way but that is fine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 90 Points
Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
I have had this wine many times in the past. Not sure if it is this bottle or the wine, but it appears to be fading a bit. The nose has dust, cassis, fresh cut lumber, and rosemary. On the palate, this is not as vibrant as it used to be. Still has fruit and oak. Not as much complexity as I might have expected but there is some. It is still drinking well, but I might be inclined to drink these sooner than later.
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 R Wines Grenache Chateau Chateau Island Ebenezer
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Not for me. The nose is raisins. The Palate is robitussin. It does have a nice texture though. Too much heat on the finish. Someone said 18+% Alc. I suspect, at best, this needed to be drunk on release. YMMV. I may be being too hard on it, but at this point in the evening this was difficult to drink for me.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Cabot Vineyards Syrah Aria's 91 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
We hadn't had enough wine, so I opened this one late. I haven't been as big a fan as some on John's wines, so this far exceeded my expectations. Really drinking well right now. The nose has boysenberries, some black pepper and a bit of funk. On the palate, this has plenty of fruit. a nice complexity. There is a nice earthy complexity here. Probably close to peak, but no hurry. It has a nice cool climate profile, but still enough stuffing to please the crowd. Well done.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2005 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Chris went down and opened one last bottle. I am a fan of these wine and this is drinking quite well now. It drinks very much like a 2005 CdP IMO. That is to say, enough of everything; fruit, complexity acidity, and it has all come together in a seamless wine. It is outstanding if not profound. It worked well standing around, but would work at the table as well. I have been holding mine, but I think it is time to start drinking them.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue