4th Saturday Brown Bagger

T&L's
Tasted Saturday, November 23, 2019 by AllRed with 190 views

Introduction

Wines are tasted double blind in flights, which are arranged randomly, but as much as possible from light to heavy. Each flight is discussed & unveiled before moving on to the next flight.

Flight 1 - Warm ups (4 Notes)

  • 2016 Capensis Chardonnay 88 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

    Double blind. Clay, spice and white fruit/apple aromas. Pretty. Apple and spice on the palate. At first this seemed chardonnay-like but not quite chardonnay so I was thinking chenin from South Africa. After some time in the glass the spice and acidity was more pronounced, and it seemed more Chablis-like than anything else. My favorite of the warm ups.

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  • 2017 Torres Rueda Verdeo 88 Points

    Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda

    Double blind. Apple and sweet pear aromas- very fruity, which is a good thing. A bit waxy at first, with flavors that mirror the bouquet. Guessed pinot grigio.

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  • 2016 Galerie Riesling Terracea 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Double blind. At first this is a touch smoky/flinty, and only after some time in the glass does a petrol note appear. Stone fruit-unripe peach- along with pear. Peach notes follow on the palate; on the dry side of the spectrum. Guessed Clare Valley riesling.

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  • 2009 Kelham Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Flawed

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    Double blind. Oxidized. DOA. Others found it better than I, but I just couldn't suffer more than half a sip. The hosts tasted this at the winery and brought a bottle(s?) home. Just more evidence that proves there are no great wines, only great bottles. I guessed semillon, as it reminded me a bit of what Kalin turns into after it has oxidized.

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Flight 2 - Reds (5 Notes)

  • 2013 Viader Cabernet Franc Dare 85 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Enjoyable bouquet of red fruit-perhaps cherry and currant- with underlying spice notes. The palate follows the bouquet in terms of flavors, however, there is no midpalate presence or barely a finish to speak of. No one in the group guessed cab franc. I would think, given the winery & reputation, that this was somehow flawed, although there were no specific discernible flaws to hone in on. Looking back at my note, I suppose my score is a bit generous.

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  • 2016 Château Meyney 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Blind. Floral, perfume and black fruit aromas. Tannic; structured, but there's a good bit of fruit underneath. Black fruit and woody elements under the tannins.

    I did not pick this out as our bottle of Meyney, as I put it towards the end to ensure a later flight. This was decanted in a wide decanter for 6.5 hours before the tasting. A tannic beast, this needs to be held for a few years or decanted for 18+ hours.

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  • 2010 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Double blind. The lightest color of the wines in this flight- must be TLV's pinot, lol. Aromas of cherry, cola, rhubarb and clay (yes, it's TLV's pinot). Spice, cherry and cranberry with a long finish and nice underlying acidity. This has an elegance to it which had me thinking WesMar. In a very good spot right now.

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  • 1993 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 80 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Another that shows on the lighter side, though clearly this is due to age and not necessarily variety. Dried tea leaf aromas dominate, and I struggle to find much else. Perhaps some currant and dried red berries, but this is clearly drying out and in decline. Short on the finish, and not much here. Again, in hindsight, my score is a bit generous, as clearly this bottle was long past prime.

    The individual who brought this had double decanted it twice, which surely did not help. Older wines such as this should be gently, but swiftly, double decanted only once off their sediment, trying to minimize the amount of air it receives.

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  • 2014 Shafer Merlot 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Opens with an earthy note, followed by a buttered popcorn note as well as dill and olive...something on the briny side. Currant, plum and black fruit flavors with velvety tannins. Good, if a bit odd...I certainly did not think merlot for this one.

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Flight 3 - Reds (4 Notes)

  • 2015 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Reserve 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Coffee and herb aromas with black currant and plum underneath. Mixed red and black fruit on the palate, supporting medium tannins. Balanced. Impressive. Guessed Napa cab sauv.

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  • 2016 Château Labégorce Flawed

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    A subtle hint of TCA fades in and out- it is not always obvious but it is definitely there.

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  • 2007 Mt. Brave Merlot 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    Double blind. Opens with a ripe raisiny note, and it's a touch hot, but there's also some nice dark plummy fruit underneath that follows through on the palate. Fairly well-balanced, it's got structure but also an abundance of good dark fruit. I'd rate it a bit higher if the raisin notes weren't evident. Medium+ finish. I believe I guessed Napa cab...I think one taster (RG?) did pick it out as merlot.

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  • 2016 Château Le Prieuré St. Émilion Grand Cru 93 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru

    Blind. Currant, plum and spice notes. Structured, but with abundant mixed frut underneath. There's a plushness to it as well, but something else suggests old world. I wondered if this was one of the Bordeaux.

    This was decanted 6.5 hours before it was rebottled and then poured nearly three hours later.

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Flight 4 - Reds (4 Notes)

  • 1991 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 70 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Bouillon dominates the bouquet and palate. Nuances of red fruit lurk beneath the bouillon. Guessed old CA cab. A shame, as the '91 vintage is my favorite of the '90s.

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  • 2016 Château Prieuré-Lichine 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Blind. Dark fruit and spice notes with a distinct floral overtone. Wonderful black fruit and red fruit flavors with floral notes. Easy to pick out as our bottle of Prieure-Lichine in this flight.

    Decanted for 6.5 hours. Will be adding more of this to the cellar.

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  • 2015 Lewis Cellars Syrah 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Massive and inky- stains the glass and one's teeth. One dimensional but enjoyable bouquet dominated by barbeque sauce- it's sweet and smoky, and a touch meaty. Like a wine glass full of KC Masterpiece or something along those lines. Develops a buttered popcorn note with air which, for me, is a bit distracting. Firm, with searing tannin and ripe black fruit. This is bigger than any SQN I've had, so I guessed petite sirah. I can see where this has fans, and I suppose this would be great with a brisket, but it is not something I would seek out to drink on a regular basis- just something to scratch that certain itch I get on occasion (but that's why I have SQN, so...).

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  • 2014 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Aromas of dark fruit and sweet, confected grape notes- meant as a good thing here, it's sweet but enjoyably so. Cassis, currant and brown sugar flavors wit a long finish. Full-bodied; firm tannins with abundant black fruit. 93-94 pts.

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Flight 5 - Dinner (2 Notes)

Enjoyed nonblind with pot roast and sides, with apple pie for dessert.

Closing

Thank you for a wonderful evening, T&L.

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