New World Blind Tasting Group $25+

A small group this evening. Disappointing given there were only 4 and one of the bottles was corked.

• 2007 Sheldrake Point Riesling Reserve

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes

  Very green color with yellow hues; unmistakably Riesling on the nose, candied lime, ginger, diesel, slight honey; very true palate, sharp apple, candied lime, subdued acid makes me think warmer climate, richer mouthfeel, dry (12.1%); good; was in WA state, surprisingly fat for what I expect from NY.

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• 2012 Chappellet Mountain Cuvée

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Opaque core with bright purple rim; candied dark fruit, vanilla, black currant, mountain shrubs; nice density on the palate, muscular tannin but fairly soft, a touch of heat, slight jammy quality; softer and less age worthy and powerful as previously expected but still should do well with medium term cellaring; good.

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• 2005 Ridge Syrah Lytton West Vineyard Flawed

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Corked

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• 2008 Shane Syrah The Unknown

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Black core with thin bright reddish violet rim; intense nose, black pepper, black olive, brine, hints at vanilla; dense mouthfeel, rich, vanilla, plum skin, wild berry; needs more time and/or air; very good; nailed it.

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Another flight done blind while playing darts at a friend's house.

• 2009 Château Greysac

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc

  From 375mL; dark core with dull garnet rim; salami, peppercorn, red currant, cherry, dusty, faint gravel, meaty, loamy; spicy red currant, some black fruit, vegetal, tobacco, nice clay component, very Bordeaux; a little closed at this point but not a bad drink.

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• 2003 Stonestreet Legacy

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  Darker core with dull garnet rim; nose of currant, slight stewed red and dark fruit, cedar, tobacco, hints at green pepper; palate has good amount of tannin but softer due to its age; tasty, better with pop and pour than the last one which may have been decanted too long.

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• 2009 Marc Sorrel Crozes-Hermitage

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage

  Darker core with some clarity, dull violet rim; almost seemed corked on the nose initially but that wasn't quite right- wood tannin?, surprised how tannic and dry the palate was, dense structure, angular tannin, some vanilla cream and berries on the finish; hard to figure this was N. Rhone especially the same bottle that was so Burgundian in previous tastings, I hope this is just bottle variation.

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