Zooming Discovery Mission

This was a Zoom tasting with DQ, Mark and myself on a discovery mission to obtain a glimpse into our respective palates. I think the mission was a success! Each person's wines are listed in their respective flights! Thank you Mark and Jennifer for giving me a glimpse into the type of wines you gravitate toward!

Like DQ, this flight seems to represent layer of complexity all wrapped in goodness!

• 2016 Château Simone Palette Blanc 93 Points

  France, Provence, Palette

  Another conundrum of a white wine, but this one between looks and taste...this wine is very golden, almost Sauternes-like. The nose likewise shows a little petrol, then honeyed stone fruit with some beeswax. The appearance sets up an expectation of sweetness, but the palate is far from sweet.....definitely not Chardonnay, but a rich blend with a nice mouthfeel, almost SQN-esque....The wine shows layers of ripe and tart fruits with some slight steeliness and hints of chalk. The mouthfeel is pleasant and waxy (in a good way), and the finish is medium with a slight hint of oak. A nice white wine, and one that makes you think while you enjoy it. Unique, and an easy 93 for me, and I can see why DQ likes this wine...very enjoyable!

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• 2014 Cornell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 95 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Arrived in 8 oz bottle, poured into a glass at cellar temp for 45 mins before tasting - Another 2014 wine! Not familiar with this producer, but they make a very nice wine that is certainly in my wheelhouse! Nose showed plenty of dark fruit, some purple flower, and some herbs....palate showed layers of black and red fruit with some sage and forest floor. The tannins were resent, but well rounded. This wine is good now, and will likely get even better with more cellar time. Definitely leaning on the hedonistic side now (but some secondary flavors show through). A very enjoyable wine that will only get better, IMO. 94+ to 95 now with a chance to add a point with more cellar time.

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Like Mark, these wines represent boldness with a genuine friendliness!

• 2018 Chateau Potelle Chardonnay VGS Mt. Veeder 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

  This wine was a conundrum for me, but in a pleasant way. The nose showed loads of tropical fruit and even a little bubble gum, but the palate was totally different, i.e., very creamy with some citrus, pear and green apple with notes of toasty oak on the finish. I am way more picky with Chardonnay than Cabernet, but this was a very nice California Chardonnay! Delicious and 93 points for me!

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• 2014 Hartwell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  This wine was surprisingly good! I don't have many 2014 Cali Cabs, but I am thinking I should have bought some after drinking this! This is in my wheelhouse, fairly big fruit, silky texture and no heat...an easy drinking Cabernet that is gone before you know it! Baked blackberry pie and some purple flower on the nose, with jammy (but not overboard) dark fruit, spice and hints of forest floor on the palate. Silky mouthfeel and medium to medium long finish....very nice. 94+ for my palate.

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Like me, these wines, while all good, were all over the place!

• 2007 Viña Cobos Malbec 97 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Transferred to small bottle and let sit open in cellar for an hour - Still loving this wine! It has years left, but it is so good now! Layers of dark (black and blue) fruit and some red fruit with spice, earth, tar and hints of chocolate. Oak is well integrated and tannins are smooth and pleasant....it doesn't get much better than this for any wine, but this by far the best Malbec I have ever had. Kudos to Paul Hobbs....this is a winner in my book! 97 points without hesitation for me. Just wish I had a case of this!

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• 1990 Château Léoville Barton 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

  Love these old Bordeaux wines! These are in a prime drinking window, IMO, where there is a nice balance between the fruit and the tertiary components. Nose is floral with dark fruit and some spice and a little bramble. Palate was close behind, with a nice balance of fruit and some earth, spice and leather with hints of sweet toasty oak. Finish is medium. Nose was not quite as perfumed as last bottle, but palate had more going on. I scored this a point better overall.94 today, for me.

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• 2009 Château d'Yquem 98 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  What can I say....this wine is very consistent! Still the best, and most balanced, Sauternes I have experienced. Honeyed stone fruit perfectly balanced with lively acidity, rich, creamy texture, long finish that has you craving another sip.....life is good! 98 points (my highest score)....don't see ever getting anything better, but one can always hope!

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Another excellent tasting with great wines and great company! I hope readers will have an idea of makes each of us tick, even though I think each of the wines are in all our wheelhouses (at least all the wines were in mine!)
Cheers and hope readers also get a little vicarious enjoyment!