Some older Aussies, and some others with friends

Chris and Renee's
Tasted Saturday, April 29, 2017 by Loren Sonkin with 271 views

Introduction

Last night my wife Jane and i ventured across town to have dinner with friends. A casual affair with some great food and some interesting wines.

Flight 1 (7 Notes)

  • 2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Compagni Portis Flawed

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Chris opened this and found it oxidized. I am not very sensitive to this and in fact, I love sherries, Jura and orange wines that have a touch of oxidation. I didn't get much on the nose, but certainly did on the palate. It had that tinny, bitter note and lacked fruit. A shame for sure. The cork was soaked most of the way, but not all the way up.

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  • 2016 Bedrock Wine Co. Ode to Lulu Old Vine Rosé 91 Points

    USA, California

    While I have enjoyed these in the past, this seemed to be a bit better than most. Could be because it is young and fresh or perhaps the vintage. In any event, this was very good. Salmon pink in color. The nose has nice watermelon with a rhubarb center. On the palate, it seems a bit less austere in texture. Not full bodied, but maybe so for a rose (if that makes sense). The watermelon is less noticeable on the palate but the rhubarb is there giving it a nice acidity along with some strawberries. Deep. Refreshing. Went great with food, especially salty food.

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  • 2011 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Cuvée des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre 93 Points

    France, Alsace

    You know how you taste wine on vacation and its great. Then you bring it home and it is not what you thought? Well, not here. We tasted this at Trimbach in early March. Opened this last night and it was as good as I remembered. Light golden in color. The nose is classic and gorgeous. Lychees with some minerals. On the palate, this has a slightly oily texture. Dry but ripe enough fruit. Citrus and minerals. Nice balance. Long finish. Served with an Alsatian Onion Tart, it was a great food match IMO.

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  • 1997 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro 94 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

    Chris brought this on release and carried it with him as he moved around the world. This was great. Decanted for a few hours prior to serving. Purple in color. The nose is really interesting. Black cherries, plums, slight funk/earth and a bit of roasted meats. On the palate, this is really more elegant than expected. Not light or feminine, but has a silkiness to it that is very nice. Black raspberries, black cherries intertwined with earth. Deep and complex. Still showing young at twenty years, this seems to be at peak but no hurry at all. Long finish. A real treat. Thanks Chris.

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  • 2000 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

    This was opened and allowed to breathe for an hour or more before drinking. Not decanted. Purple in color. The nose is deep with black raspberries, some pepper, roasted meats. By no means a monster but proof that these wines will age. Tasted in its youth, this was a big classic wine. It is now very nice with good fruit, light tannins. Still probably at peak but no hurry.

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  • 2006 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel 93 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Still in a great place and no hurry to open. Pop and pour. The nose has black raspberries, plums, some cherries, pepper and slight earthy funk. On the palate, plenty of fruit, light tannins. Very nice texture, silky yet velvety. Lots of black cherries, black raspberries intertwined with some spice and earth. Good acidity. Long finish.

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  • 2011 Booker Vineyard Vertigo 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    This was good but seemed a bit out of place with the other wines. Its sweetness showed and seemed to lack the depth. Of course, it is much younger, and not from a great vintage. That said, it was an excellent wine. Purple in color. The nose has more of a red fruit profile. Dark cherries, raspberries but also some plums and black raspberries and spice. On the palate, this is slight sweet with ripe black cherry and black raspberry fruit. Some depth. Not much complexity at this point, but some. Good finish. Still very young, it will be interesting to see where this goes.

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Closing

Great night with wines food and especially friends.

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