Wagner Family Wines at Ruth Chris

Ruth Chris Steakhouse - Washington, DC
Tasted Thursday, April 30, 2015 by isaacjamesbaker with 354 views

Introduction

Notes from a 50th Anniversary dinner at Ruth Chris steakhouse. The Wagner Family of wines is hit or miss with my palate. The Caymus Special Selection, obviously, stole the show.

Flight 1 (5 Notes)

  • 2013 Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc 87 Points

    USA, California, North Coast

    Aromas of lime, white peach, seashells and se salt. Tangy and bright on the palate, this wine shows lime and lemon zest but backed up by guava and white peach, some honeysuckle. Still a refreshing wine, I appreciate the lightness on the palate. No greens here, just a bright, tangy, refreshing, citrus-focused Sauvignon Blanc. A bit lacking in complexity, but still high quality juice.

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  • 2013 Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve Santa Lucia Highlands 88 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    A deep golden color, with equally rich aromatics: honey butter, mango, spiced applesauce, bruised golden apples, just ripe and generous all around. Creamy and rich on the palate yet some refreshing and vibrant elements from the acid. White peach and golden apples and dusted with almond shells, peanuts, cinnamon, vanilla and toasted white bread. Lingering acid keeps the palate refreshed and the taster coming back for more. Stood up very well to a crab bisque.

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  • 2012 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Dairyman 86 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Deep ruby-purple color. The nose shows tons of dark fruit (cherries, blackberries, plums), rich black cherry cola and sweet coffee. On the palate, this is big, bold and extracted with a Zinfandel-like chewy jam approach. Cola, mocha, sweet chocolate. Don't get me wrong, it's delicious, but it's very high octane and lacks freshness and vibrancy. My friend at the tasting dinner, upon first tasting this, leaned over to me and asked, genuinely: "Are you sure this is Pinot?" Tasted from magnum. Perhaps some time will help this unwind a bit, but I'm not so sure without much acid.

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  • 2009 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    A rich and velvety Cabernet for sure. Deep purple color with thick, slow-draining legs. Dark currants, loam, cola, hints of smoke and pencil lead on the nose. Bold and ripe, velvety and well-integrated tannins, not much acid. Sweet blackberries, cassis and black cherries galore, the fruit is mixed in with elements of coffee, loam, cola and vanilla, a hint of menthol comes out with time. Chewy and bold but so silky with a finish of caramel sauce and toast (100% new oak). Doesn't seem to have the solid tannic structure for aging too many years past 2020 or so, but I'd like to try this again in three or four. This wine and filet with mushrooms, yeah, good stuff.

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  • 2006 Mer Soleil Late 85 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    Deep golden-orange color. Honey, glazed pear, nutmeg and cinnamon on the nose. Full and rich on the palate, sweet, honeyed and lacking acidity. Dried apricots, baked apples, dried pears, candied apples, honey and caramel. All sweetness and rich flavors, which are delicious, but lacks complexity or freshness. Late harvest, botrytis.

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