Friday Group Brown Bag Tasting

The group gathered for our regular third Friday tasting. Wines are tasted double blind. Each flight is discussed and unveiled before moving on to the next flight.

A nonblind starter Champagne before the double blind whites.

• NV René-Henri Coutier Champagne Grand Cru Tradition Brut

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Lot LJ214T1120, a blend of 75/25 pinot noir and chard, disgorged 9/2020 at 6g/L, based 60% on the 2013 vintage with 40% reserve wines. Apple and marshmallow fluff notes. Orchard fruit, yeast, brioche and ginger flavors. A wonderful rich, slightly toasty style. Excellent.

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• 2019 Staglin Family Chardonnay Salus 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Double blind. Light color. A beguiling bouquet of apple, honeysuckle, tangerine and pear. A bit of oak on the palate, but it is balanced by the fruit. Vanilla, citrus and pear tones. Reminds me of a recent bottle of PM Indigene. Excellent. (R&D)

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• 2019 DuMOL Chardonnay Wester Reach 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Double blind. Light color. Orchard fruit and jasmine notes. There’s a minerality on the palate that is very nice. Finishes with good length. Easy to pick out as another domestic chardonnay. (R&D)

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• 2009 Marcel Lapierre Morgon 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon

  Double blind. Light color. Aromas of red berry fruit, tea leaf and dried rosemary with a hint of spice underneath. Soft on the palate, with ripe red fruits and spice. The herbaceous tones had me thinking of garrigue and I guessed CndP. This is drinking beautifully right now and was my favorite in this flight. (J&J)

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• 2002 Ridge Monte Bello 88 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Double blind. Dark color. Ripe, with black fruit that trends toward raisin, and there's perhaps a touch of bouillon in there as well. Medium tannins & finish. Black fruit dominates the palate as well, but again there's a ripeness here that's a bit more than I care for, though I was clearly in the minority here as others liked this more than I. I never would have guessed MB here- an overly ripe Napa cab, sure, but not MB. Hopefully this was not representative as we have two bottles in the cellar destined to be opened next year when Domino and I each have a niece turning 21. (R&D)

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• 2005 Les Pagodes de Cos

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

  Double blind. A bit of bricking. Aromas of clay, sous bois and dark fruit, almost plum. Medium-bodied, with softer tannins and flavors of black fruit, earth and spice. I spent my time trying to decide if this was Bordeaux or California masquerading as Bordeaux, ultimately settling on Bordeaux. Excellent, and the first '05 I can recall tasting that truly seemed to be entering its drinking window. (R&R)

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• 2002 Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah Greenwood Ranch 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Double blind. Dark fruit dominates the nose and palate. Hints of raisin combine with something a bit herbal; there's also a sappiness here that I find enjoyable. Flavors of blackberry syrup, sage and plum. Excellent. (J&J)

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• 2017 Beta Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District

  Blind. Dark color. Aromas of black fruit and herbs- rosemary and sage. Firm, fine tannins. Flavors of currants, black raspberry and herbs with a long finish. Young; structured, but balanced. In this flight, easy to pick out as one of the Betas.
  
  This had been decanted nearly seven hours, and then spent another 90 minutes breathing in bottle. Poured in the flight 8.5 hours after the cork was first pulled. Lots of potential here- hold to 2027+.

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• 2015 Gramercy Cellars Syrah John Lewis Reserve 93 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Double blind. Aromas of tar, black fruit and something a bit rubbery as well. There's an herbal undertone that develops with time in the glass. A very intriguing bouquet that I enjoy quite a bit. Full-bodied, with flavors of black fruit and peppery spice. Lingering finish. Excellent. (R&R)

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• 2018 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Double blind. Bright bouquet of mixed red and black fruit, raspberry , olive and brown sugar. Medium+ tannins support plummy dark fruit. Jammy, but in a good way. Easy to pick out as a Napa cab. (R&D)

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• 2017 Beta Cabernet Sauvignon Vare Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

  Blind. Deep crimson red color, lightest of the flight by a good margin. Aromas of red berry fruit dominate, with herb and subtle spice elements in the background. Medium tannins. Soft, balanced and eminently drinkable, albeit with a very healthy decant.
  
  This had been decanted nearly seven hours, and then spent another 90 minutes breathing in bottle. Poured in the flight 8.5 hours after the cork was first pulled. This will clearly be fully ready before the Montecillo. These were our first experiences with the Beta wines, and I must say we were pleased, and we'll continue to buy at this price point.

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• 2017 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Double blind. Deep inky opaque color. Aromas of cassis, plum, mocha and chocolate- big and brawny. Firm tannins; big. Drinks like a blueberry and chocolate milkshake. There's no doubt this is a full-throttled modern Napa cab sauv and fun for what it is. (R&D)

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