Some nice wines over the last two nights

Tasted Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - Thursday, May 14, 2015 by Loren Sonkin with 402 views

Introduction

A busy couple of nights drinking wine. Night one out to dinner with some friends before going to the Tribe game and night 2, at a private club with a new acquaintance who likes wine.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

At a casual dinner at a downtown eatery. There was also a bottle of the 2012 SonkinCellars Unmasked added. The wines were drunk non-blind with food over an hour or so. There were four of us.

2011 Corison Gewürztraminer Corazón 91 Points

USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

(5/13/2015)

I seemed to like this more than the group, but I love Gewurz. Great nose of lychees. Very forward. I am again surprised on the ripeness in 2011 this wine achieved. Clearly not old world with more fruit than acidity. No bitterness that sometimes plagues this grape either. Refreshing, fruity. A great starter for the evening.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2007 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane 92 Points

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

(5/13/2015)

Really in a nice place right now. A nose of boysenberries, spice and some earthiness. Full bodied. Plenty of fruit left. Nice acidity. Medium to full bodied. Juicy. Nice boysenberry fruit with some earthiness. No hurry. Getting close to peak though.

Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
2004 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

(5/13/2015)

I have been really enjoying the 04's lately. As a general rule, they seem to be entering peak drinking for my tastes. This was no exception. Purple/ruby in color. The nose was great with raspberries, dark cherries, spice and leather. Full bodied. Great juicy texture. Lots of layers of fruit and earth and spice on the palate. Long finish. Beautiful wine. Not a monster, but not reticent either.

Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Flight 2 (3 Notes)

Consumed over two hours at the Pine Lake Trout Club between the two of us. Drunk consecutively although the last bottle was not finished.

2010 Screaming Eagle Second Flight 94 Points

USA, California, Napa Valley

(5/14/2015)

This seemed a bit more developed than the last time I had it. Purple in color. Cassis, spice, black cherries, black licorice on the nose. Very nice texture. Depth. Easy to drink but also a very interesting complexity. Layers of fruit and earth. Smooth. Long finish. This is still young and appears to be really developing well. Great now, but I would hold for a bit.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1996 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 93 Points

France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

(5/14/2015)

Allowed to breathe for 8 hours and then decanted prior to serving. I think this was about the right amount of air at this point. drinking very well. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, slight funk, slight dust, slight spice, but all in a seamless complex package. On the palate, still plenty of fruit, medium tannins, lots of layered complexity. Great balance. Obviously plenty of time left, but this was a delicious bottle.

Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
2008 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard 95 Points

USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

(5/14/2015)

This really needed more air than it got. The subject of Paso Robles and Syrah came up, so we poured a glass each and I sent the bottle home with my host. Still, a great wine on pop and pour. At this stage, it is still primary. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and grilled meats. Smooth and no sign of alcohol. Delicious. Balanced. Tons of fruit. While very deep, the wine needs time to unwind more. I would bet its better tonight.

Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No