Lots of Wines and Liquor with the neighbors

Our home
Tasted Monday, November 7, 2016 by Loren Sonkin with 238 views

Introduction

Saturday was a very nice Fall day. Temps got into the 60'sF. I started out the day with some wine on the front patio. It was so nice, I called my wife to say I was going to light a fire in the back yard and open another bottle. She put out the call to neighbors. Steve saw the post on FB and commented, so we invited him over. It was one of those nights were people came for a while and left and others came later. Of course, I was there the whole time and Sunday am was a bit slow. Still, it was a very fun night.

Flight 1 - A wine at around 5:00, before the clocks changed, to get started (1 Note)

  • 2008 Dehlinger Syrah Goldridge 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    These take a long time to come around, but I have a few. Pop and pour and shared over six hours. Purple in color. Pretty classic cool climate CA Syrah. The nose is really nice, better than the palate. Black raspberries, black pepper, some earthy/leather notes and a slight dark chocolate quality. There is also a slightly green element that comes out with air. Herbal, not bell pepper with a slight roast. On the palate, this is still young. Show a slight complexity. A bit hard on the palate. If the palate catches up to the nose, a few points improvement possible but I don't think it will. Still, I will wait a bit longer.

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Flight 2 - Moving out back (7 Notes)

I wasn't planning on opening a white, but we play requests. This is the Order I drank them in.

  • 2012 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium 98 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Pop and pour, the 2012 vintage in general is so accessible and this one is no exception. Purple in color. The nose is great with cassis, blueberries, smoke, a slight iodine note, hints of flowers and milk chocolate. On the palate, this is lush and deep and although young, so delicious. Just an amazing texture. Long finish. There are tannins but they stick so closely to the fruit, they are unobtrusive. Just a fantastic wine. I suspect this will improve but maybe just change. Either way, its got a couple of decades in it.

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  • 2013 Sinegal Sauvignon Blanc 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    My last bottle of these. I thought they ripped out the vines in favor of Cab. This is excellent. Starting to show a bit of development. Crisp. Some lemons. No grassy tones. Showing a bit of dried honey on the finish. Wish i had let a bottle age to see what it does, but since the vines are gone, it doesn't really matter.

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  • 2011 Trione Henry's Blend Geyserville Ranch 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    I liked this but this is more of an AFWE styled Cab. Never had it before but I would suspect a good amount of Cab Franc in it. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, bell pepper, tobacco and spice. On the palate, this has a lovely texture. Showing some complexity. Black cherries, bell pepper, and tobacco continue. There was some left which I tried on Day 2. It was still good but a bit greener. Not sure how much is the style and how much the vineyard.

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  • 2012 Girard Winery Petite Sirah 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This showed very well for being so young. Usually PS takes some time to really develop. Purple in color. The nose has black cherries, some black raspberries, char, and licorice. On the palate, this is solid. Black cherry fruit. Medium tannins. Slightly drying on the finish. Usually, these take some time to age. We shall see where this ends up.

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  • 2012 Domaine Faury St. Joseph La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes 92 Points

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

    Steve brought this over. A nice treat. This is a go to in restaurants for me as it usually is much better priced vis-a-vis the quality than other more famous regions. Pop and pour, this was drinking well. A bit left on Sunday was a bit better though. Lovely nose of black raspberries, black olives, and slight violets. On the palate, the fruit is more black cherry with some tannins and spice/vanilla oak. Lovely texture but I would not call it huge. Good backbone of acidity gives it a nice energy. Good finish.

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  • 2012 Giuseppe Campagnola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 89 Points

    Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

    Pop and pour. This is good if not great but certainly drinks like an Amarone. Ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, a slight roasted herb note and slight raisin. On the palate, this is dry. Not a ton of complexity but the fruit is good. Some medium tannins. Good acidity. Cherries and dried cherries. Nice finish. I think time helps it develop but very pleasant right now. Some upside.

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  • 2000 Warre Porto Vintage 92 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Stood for a day, then pop and pour. Not decanted. This is in a very nice spot now. Still some youthful edges but showing a bit of maturity. Nice nose of black raspberries, milk chocolate, slight raisin. On the palate, sweet but not overtly. Black cherries and slight chocolate covered raisin note. A bit of woodiness. Good balance. Not a monster but not elegant either.

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Flight 3 - The Brown liquid flight (4 Notes)

Its always good to develop new vices.

Closing

Always a treat to get a nice evening this late in the season. Hopefully, we get a few more. We are lucky to have great neighbors and friends to share with. For those we missed, you are all invited to stop by next time.

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