Ecclectic Easter Tasting at Asti Trattoria II

Thanks to Steffan a group of Texas winos were able to taste through a fun group of wines. Good company, wine and food.

• 2004 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Nice nose of grapefruit and grass with grapefruit in the middle. Finishes crisp. Good wine with good value.

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• 2003 Neal Family Vineyards Chardonnay

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Only a quick sip. Seemed pleasant.

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• 2001 Sine Qua Non Albino 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  I've liked the Albino more with past bottles. Having had it two consecutive weekends now I think the oak is becoming more pronounced. It tastes great until the oaky finish. Some people like the oak so it is a style vs. quality issue.

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• NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle "La Cuvée" 89 Points

  France, Champagne

  Nice fine mousse and tiny bubbles bit was really a lightweight in the flavor department. [$64; Overpriced for the quality. There are better champagnes in this price range]

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• 1993 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru

  Clear medium-ruby in color; As Steffen notes this wine smelled like a million $$. Outstandingly complex aromas of truffles, exotic spices and eventually some soy notes. It was a bit clipped in the middle and ended with a long, spicy finish. This bottle was better than the previous bottle. My theory is that the travel and storage on the previous bottle was not kind. [$$$; Gently double-decanted at the table (some bottle sediment); Needed the decant to open up]

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• 2001 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Out of mag; Dark ruby in color; Loaded with vibrant red fruit and balanced with good structure. Improved over the course of the dinner.

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• 1998 Sottimano Barbaresco Cotta Vigna Brichet 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Note that this rating is on what I feel the wine will ultimately merit with additional aging. Last night it was a high 80s wine. So much for the professionals' opinions that this wine would drink early - no way. This wine had tooth-coating tannins and high acidity at this point in its development with no evidence of any aging. [$$; Double decanted at the table and it did not help much; Hold onto these; Our next bottle scheduled for 2008]

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• 1999 Behrens & Hitchcock Merlot Beckstoffer Las Amigas 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was one big, bad wine. I was not expecting the power out of this wine but it delivered. Ultra concentrated with very defined flavors. It may have lacked subtlety but made up for it in sheer power. Quite good.

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• 2001 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  This wine seemed completely shut down - no nose or fruit. It was decanted early in the day for about 9 hours so it may be possible that it lost something along the way. More probable is that it was shut down.

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• 1997 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  As Steffan notes this seemed ready to drink but had very little evidence of aging. Spicy with a gorgeous velvety texture. Sophisticated and terrific with the Italian food. I wish I owned some bottles of this wine.

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• 1993 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  No rating as I think this bottle was probably off. The vegetal notes in the aromas were enough to make me almost not want to taste it. A disappointment for a wine that should have been much better.

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• 2002 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  I could smell the alcohol coming out of someone else's glass thus I poured myself a small pour. This is a style of zin that many people like but I believe is out of balance. The alcohol ripped out my throat on the finish.

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• 2000 Dutch Henry Winery Zinfandel 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Balanced zin with good fruit. Matched well with a spicy calamari.

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• 1999 Rudd Jericho Canyon 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Tasted briefly at an offline so not too many notes. Lots of blackberries and coffee notes in this one. It seemed ready to drink but I tasted at the end of the evening.

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Time for the sweeties.

• 1998 Château de Fargues 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  My notes consistent with the previous bottle. This is terrific Sauternes. Must buy more.

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• 1997 Quinta do Noval Porto Late Bottled Vintage 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Very nice port. As an LBV it lacked a bit of the texture of aged vintage Port but was very focused with good fruit flavors. I will probably buy some of this.

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