Hennepin Lake Tasting 2018
Minneapolis, MN
Tasted Thursday, October 11, 2018 - Sunday, October 14, 2018 by 3daywinereview.com with 591 views
Introduction
The Twin Cities does not draw the big events but this is the main event of all tastings. $25 which is a charity event. You can't taste these wines for that price point. Thanks Phil!
This year's event (2019) is October 10 from 6 to 9. Get tickets early.
Flight 2 (60 Notes)
Closing
I can't believe anyone else did not promote this event. Best event for $25 ever!
NV Champagne Le Mesnil Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut 89 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
(10/11/2018)
This is fine but so many better non vintage Champagnes out there for less like Piper Heidsieck. Subtle spices, apple and dough. Short to medium finish with moderate acidity.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Bevan Cellars Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(10/11/2018)
Love it! Spice, pineapple, fruit and mild oak. Really good finish and balanced wine. Much better than the Lewis I sampled earlier which was oak heavy. Drink now or hold for a few.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Petaluma Gap
(10/11/2018)
Mediocre California Pinot Noir. Floral, subtle spice and sweet fruits. Lacks balance and the acidity is not there. Over priced.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Solid as the Chardonnay was. Nice currants, spices, vanilla and oak. Medium plus finish and should age for another 10 years.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 L'Ecole No. 41 Apogée Pepper Bridge Vineyard 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
(10/11/2018)
Young but very enjoyable. Cherry, plums, and raspberries. Nice minerality streak on the palate/finish and good use of oak. This should drink well for another 10 years. If drinking now 3 plus hour decant.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Alexandria Nicole Syrah Jet Black Destiny Ridge Vineyards 92 Points
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
(10/11/2018)
This is the QPR of the tasting. Had to go back and sample a few times to confirm. First of all love WA Syrah. Black pepper, floral, plums, cherries and meat. Balanced and medium to long finish. This will drink well now or later. Tremendous value for $22.99. 92+
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 93 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
(10/11/2018)
Good acidity and the first pour out of bottle had that classic dill quality. One hour later at the tasting the evolution occurred and this offered wood, vanilla, red currants and minerals. Classic Rioja and love this wine on every vintage I have ever had. This might be my favorite Spanish wine for the money.
Post a Comment / 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc 92 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
(10/11/2018)
Excellent young Barolo. While this needs time a lot there now! Leather, tar, raspberries, mushrooms and earth. Very good acidity and medium plus finish. Hold until 2022 and beyond. 92-94.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 94 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
(10/11/2018)
The best young Pegau I have ever tasted and wine of the tasting. Garrique, funk, stones and rustic edges. This is a powerful wine but very balanced. Long finish and actually drinking great right now. If I had a six pack I would drink one every two years to see the evolution. 94-96.
Post a Comment / 7 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Robert Mondavi Winery Maestro 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Well this was significantly better than the 50th anniversary Napa bottle. Spice, blueberries, floral and oak. Classic Cali Cab and medium plus finish. Drink now or later.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva 86 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
(10/11/2018)
Not a fan of this one. Thin, rustic and lacks any complexity. I have drank these wines for 15 plus years and this vintage doesn't do it for me.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Melville Pinot Noir Estate 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
(10/11/2018)
I like this and it is much better than the Bevans which is twice the price. Vibrant wine with cranberries, floral, wood and possesses laser like acidity. This would go well with grilled Salmon. Drink now or hold for a few years.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
(10/11/2018)
This is the best wine from Spain for under $25 on a constant basis. Never a bad vintage for me. Red currants, leather, minerals and wood. Classic in style and medium plus finish. Enjoy now or cellar for 5 years.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 E. Guigal Gigondas 90 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
(10/11/2018)
Not a powerful wine but plenty of flavors. Good fruit, dust and spices. Medium finish and balanced. Drink on the younger side with this wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Really good! Red currants, dust, stone and subtle oak. Really get the nice Napa fruit without the obnoxious oak. While young with a good decant this could drink well right now. I will be buying this wine. 92-94.
Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Rutherford 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
(10/11/2018)
Excellent dry styled Cabernet. Stones, red currants, dust, floral and mild oak. This is really nice and balanced. You could enjoy this for a decade. Great buy for $50.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Excellent and second best wine at the tasting. Bright fruit, floral, dust and a nice minerality streak. Medium to long finish and drinking quite well for this young a vintage. I would decant a few hours prior to serving and I could see this wine cellaring for a decade.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 ZD Wines Chardonnay 83 Points
USA, California
(10/11/2018)
This is quite a poorly made Chardonnay. Light fruit, floral and short finish. Not much here. Pass.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2017 Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône 84 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
(10/11/2018)
Probably the worst vintage of this I have tasted. Heavy with earth and floral. Lacks distinct fruits that so many of these wines have. Pass even though the price is low.
Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
NV Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Brut 92 Points
France, Champagne
(10/11/2018)
Excellent as the last bottle was. This is a steal for the price. Full of flavor featuring minerals, strawberries, floral and dough. Medium plus finish and good acidity. Buy!
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
NV Roederer Estate Brut Rosé Anderson Valley 89 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
(10/12/2018)
This was excellent. Strawberries, biscuit, rose petal and subtle spices. Very complex for the price point and good acidity. This would do well in a NV Champagne Tasting featuring wines under $50.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Sea Slopes Fort Ross Winery Pinot Noir 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross - Seaview
(10/11/2018)
Another great showing on this wine. The best Pinot for under $20 I have ever purchased although that was on sale. Meat, currants, earth and floral notes. Good acidity. Buy!
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Selection 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(10/11/2018)
More elegant with perfumed fruit, earth and mushroom. Medium finish and quite balanced. Enjoy young.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
An old favorite but the last 3 vintages have been mediocre. Oak, vanilla, subtle fruit and dust. Not the most balanced wine and just should cost less.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Fess Parker The Big Easy 82 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
(10/12/2018)
Was hoping this was Ernie Els the Big Easy but this was not easy to drink. Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. Hot and a mess of a wine. Galloni you got this all wrong. Since I am the first to taste this and leave a not please use this to pass on this purchase unless you like Orin Swift Wines.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Bodegas AAlto Ribera del Duero AAlto 88 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
(10/11/2018)
Not been impress with Aalto for a while now. Tight, wood and some red currants. On the finish some leather notes but the wood is so intense it is hard to tell what exactly is underneath it. I took a gamble and bought some 04s of this so hopefully they are drinking better. Hold this for 5 plus years!
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill
(10/11/2018)
Pretty good wine. Red currants, leather, spices and dust. The palate is smooth overall and has a long finish. This could evolve over the years but right now super solid.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Guarachi Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/12/2018)
Really enjoyable wine. I have never tasted their Cab. Blueberries, cherry, smoke, mild oak and floral notes. Very elegant wine overall and no over the top oak usage. I would highly recommend this wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Roth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
(10/11/2018)
Good but not great in comparison to all the great Cabs tonight. Typical B+ Cab with fruit, spices and some oak.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Montes Purple Angel 85 Points
Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
(10/11/2018)
Kind of a mess. Eucalyptus over load, dark fruits and lacks acidity. Maybe needs time but for the price point of this wine I would not buy.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Cakebread Cellars Merlot 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Never really thought much of Cakebread until I tried this wine. This is excellent Cali Merlot. Smooth wine with plums, earth, cherry and minerals. Medium finish and balanced. This is drinking great right now and I would not hold too much longer.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Really not very good for the price. Typical oak, vanilla and some fruit. Acidity is lacking and just not a fan of this for the money.
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne La Cuvée Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne
(10/11/2018)
Apple, spices, minerals and pear. Very nicely balanced and medium finish.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 91 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet
(10/11/2018)
Sampled this two times and both bottles stellar. Really good wine. Subtle wine but flavorful with shells, minerals, apple, orange peel and mild oak. Medium plus finish and good acidity. Drink now or hold for a few years.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Sonoma 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(10/11/2018)
A bit too big for my tastes but if you like that style you will love this. Oak, vanilla, lemon, ripe apples and minerals. Long finish and needs food to mellow out the largeness of this wine.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Hahn Pinot Noir SLH 87 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
(10/11/2018)
Good value Pinot but not as good as the Sea Slopes. Medium finish featuring cranberries, spices and ripe fruit. Drink now until 2021.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 85 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Not as good as the 2013 vintage I had recently. Floral, baked pie crust and a bit harsh on the finish. Not balanced. As I review more 3 day wine reviewing is the way to go. These young wines critics are giving good scores are throwing darts at a board and don't accurately rate these wines. This wine right now is not good. Maybe if I did 3 days on it would be better but this on day 1 is not good.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Napa County
(10/13/2018)
I liked this wine especially for the price point. Mild oak, red currants and underbrush. Balance and drinking well young. Good value alert.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2017 Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert 82 Points
USA, California
(10/11/2018)
Terrible wine. One of the worst wines of the year candidate. If you are into Orin Swift wines you slam them and don't smell and move the wine in your mouth. Overripe fruit and no acidity. I am not sure how a pro critic could give this above an 85. I will take over for you if you did.
Read 15 Comments / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Château de Hauterive Cahors Chemin de Compostelle
France, Southwest France, Cahors
(10/11/2018)
First to review this wine. Wow! Floral, bacon fat, raspberries and stone. Good acidity and medium finish. Drink now to 2020.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Marion Amarone della Valpolicella 91 Points
Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella
(10/11/2018)
I liked this wine and offered a complex experience featuring dust, red fruits and floral notes. On the finish subtle spices.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Chappellet Mountain Cuvée 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Better than the mediocre 15 Napa. Bright fruit, spices and oak. Medium plus finish. Drink now to 2022.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard 83 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
(10/11/2018)
I am not a fan. This is simple wine below A to Z. Thin and light. Not much going on and if a critic likes this wine they should be fired.
Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2013 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard Alexander's Crown Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
(10/11/2018)
Wow got to taste 3 Single Vineyard Rodney Strong wines so who ever was talking about them at the Henn Lake Tasting well done! This was the best of the 3 with spices, currants, blueberries and mild oak. Complex wine and medium plus finish. Excellent.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Rockaway 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
(10/11/2018)
Spice, blue fruits, floral and medium finish. Lacks acidity and not balanced. Good but not worth the coin.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
(10/11/2018)
Middle of the 3 Rodney Strong Cabs. Big wine with floral, bacon, bright fruits and earth. A bit of heat so hold this for a while. Medium finish.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Pine Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Liked this wine even though really young. Fruit, oak, spices and dust. Should improve over time. Young.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Argyle Vintage Brut
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
(10/11/2018)
Nose not as vibrant as the last bottle but the palate makes up for that. Dough, citrus, minerals and spices. Great fruit and good overall acidity. Medium finish. This vintage is a rock star.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner 80 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
I HATE THESE WINES! Hot, hot and hot. Is this an 80s song. Some ripe fruit and no acidity. If you like these wines great but don't show up to my tastings. These are not balanced.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine Old Ghost 84 Points
USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
(10/11/2018)
Big fruit, spice and heat. Not balanced. Medium finish.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 CrossBarn (Paul Hobbs) Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
I like this wine overall. Bit pricy for the quality. Cedar, red fruits and heavy floral quality. Medium finish.
Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2012 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
(10/11/2018)
Very good. Always liked this wine. Riper fruit, spice, floral, underbrush and violets. Medium plus finish. Drink now to 2022.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Smith 86 Points
USA, Washington
(10/11/2018)
Not as good as Substance. Red currants, earth and graphite. Short to medium finish. Drink now.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2016 Orin Swift Mannequin 83 Points
USA, California
(10/11/2018)
These guys are trying to Chardonnay. Wow. Honey suckles, big and no acidity. This is awful stuff.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Prisoner Wine Company Saldo 83 Points
USA, California
(10/11/2018)
Another bad wine. Sweet and not balanced. Who pays this much for bad wine??????????? I like balance but this wine shows some people will pay more to drink syrup wines.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2014 Prisoner Wine Company Thorn 83 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/11/2018)
Guys don't take this personally. I will not add you favorite wine tasters on cellar tracker. This is jam wine. Sweet and no acidity. I hate Prisoner wines.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Talbott Chardonnay Logan Sleepy Hollow Vineyard 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
(10/11/2018)
Better than previous vintages. Spice, floral and subtle fruits. Drink now to 2019.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Talbott Chardonnay Kali Hart 86 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey
(10/11/2018)
Floral, orange peel and blossoms. Short finish.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Talbott Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
(10/11/2018)
Good overall with spices, floral, apples and pear. Medium finish and decant acidity. Drink now to 2020.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2015 Orin Swift Cabernet Sauvignon Mercury Head 84 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(10/13/2018)
This wine is a mess. Ripe fruit and not balanced. It is amazing how these wines get the press they do. Who is paying who off. No thanks!!! One user quoted Parker with a 95 and no tasting notes. Wow!
Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue