Monthly Tasting Group: Cali Cabs 2005 and Older
Capitalle Grille, Mpls, MN
Tasted Sunday, May 19, 2019 by rocknroller with 235 views
Introduction
This was the monthly large group tasting. The theme was Cali Cabs 2005 and older. We had a group of 16 and some supremely stellar wines. The food and service at CG is always simply outstanding.
NV Vilmart & Cie Champagne Premier Cru Grande Réserve 92 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Another one of my favorite N/V’s. Pear, light toast, yeast, wet stone, poised.
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2008 H Blin & Co Champagne Brut Millésimé 89 Points
France, Champagne
For whatever reason I’m not always as fond of this producer, but it varies. This was one of those. Very tart apple, lots of apple peel that to me pushes the bitterness scale a bit too far; chalk. Really needs food.
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2010 Etude Chardonnay 90 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Light-medium gold color. Drank a small glass over 20 minutes. Citrus, lemon, medium bodied, wood, a little angular on the finish. Still very good, but probably a little past peak.
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2013 Kistler Chardonnay Trenton Roadhouse 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Light golden color. Drank a small glass over 20 minutes. Very good, kind of earthy, brine, spices, citrus, a bit exotic too, with a nice dose of oak.
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1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red/purple color, youthful color. PNP, drank a small glass over an hour in a flight with a ’90 Silverado Limited and a ’91 Kathryn Kennedy. This bottle was very solid, but did not rise to the level of a previous one. The nose has mint, pencil, wood, dark fruits. The palate has more of a mix of dark and red fruits, a bit thin on the mid palate now, pencil, lots of structure remaining and this bottle seemed more woody. At one point I wondered whether this might be off a bit, but it just may be some older bottle variation too.
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1990 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Reserve 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red/purple color, youthful color. PNP, drank a small glass over an hour in a flight with a ’90 Montelena Estate and a ’91 Kathryn Kennedy. This was the wine of the flight for me and for most. Impressive bottle in excellent shape. Cassis, plum, full bodied, cherry, some dried herbs. There was a nice strong tobacco note on the palate and as this opened further there was a pleasant mix of blue fruit as well. Satiny tannins and lengthy finish. This continued to improve in the glass. 92+pts.
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1992 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Very dark red color. Drank a small glass over an hour. Double decanted for 30 minutes. Drank in a flight with a ’93 Dunn Napa and a ’93 Anderson’s Conn Valley Estate. Classic Martha’s nose with eucalyptus, camphor, dark fruit perfume, cassis, dark cherry, wood spices. On the palate this is full bodied, youthful for its age, great texture, black currant, black cherry liqueur, succulent fruit, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf. Another wine with plenty in the tank. My wine of the flight.
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1993 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark red color. Drank a small glass over an hour. 30 minute decant and 90 minute slow-ox I believe. Drank in a flight with a ’92 Heitz Martha’s and a ’93 Anderson’s Conn Valley Estate. Black cherry, black currant, grippy tannins, the fruit has faded a bit, funk, wood. Still very good, but just a bit tired, probably peaked about 5 years ago.
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1997 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Drank a small glass over an hour in a flight with a ’97 Martin Ray and a ’97 Whitehall Lane Reserve. AS good as this was, I’d kind of hoped for more from the Mondavi. It wasn’t as complex and expressive as expected. Graphite, black cherry, mineral, excellent structure and balance.
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1997 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain 87 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Drank a small glass over an hour in a flight with a ’97 Mondavi Reserve and a ’97 Whitehall Lane Reserve. This was really big, over ripe, hot, oaky. Probably was better ten years ago.
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1997 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Drank a small glass over an hour in a flight with a ’97 Martin Ray and a ’97 Mondavi. Love this, drinking great, lovely dark fruit, full bodied, plush, very fresh still. My wine of the flight. 93+pts.
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1989 Château Suduiraut 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Very deep gold color. Small glass. Subline, unctuous, big spices, baked orange, apricot.
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