Tasting in Miami

Ken's Castle
Tasted Wednesday, February 28, 2024 by MN Wine Junkie with 22 views

Introduction

Tasting a few wines before the James Suckling wine event in Miami. The wines were paired with some delicious food, that featured an excellent beef stroganoff prepared by Ken. We were joined by his lovely wife and my niece and her husband.

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

  • 2014 Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard 97 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    PnP - Chardonnay doesn't get much better than this! In an ideal spot right now (at least this bottle!) I typically love these Chardonnays at about 8 years, but maybe I have been drinking them too young!

    On a more serious note, this wine was absolutely delicious! Nose showed some tropical fruits, poached pear, straw, slate citrus and spice. Palate was equally compelling with plenty of apple, melon, vanilla, some chalk, slate and sweet, buttery oak with a touch of honeycomb and spice.

    Based on this bottle, drink within the next year for maximum enjoyment, and I suspect a slow decline after that. Aubert shows why they are one of the best Chardonnay producers in the world! 97+ (and that may be underscoring it)

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  • 2010 Vieux Château Certan 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

    Opened and let sit for an hour, then followed it for the next 2 hours.

    Is it young? Of course, but these are so good, and I am so weak, that I have a hard time keeping my hands off these. Always enjoyable, and definitely good enough now that I don't even come close to feeling guilty for popping one open!

    Nose shows plenty of florals, cherry and cocoa with some violets and spice. Palate follows suit with chocolate covered cherries, some violets, some spice, and notes of earth, tobacco and anise. Stunning, as always! 96-96+ and will still get better!

    On a separate note....I last tasted this wine and thought it was closed down and figured I would wait 5 years before opening another....well, that was last year, so I obviously have no will power! However, I am now convinced that the poor showing last year was due to bottle variation. Hopefully, it was a one-off!

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  • 2015 Sineann Pinot Noir Reserve Wy'east 96 Points

    USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Gorge

    PnP (only made in .375s): I love this Pinot! I wish I had more (or could even get more). One of the best Oregon Pinots I have ever had! I never tire of this, but unfortunately getting to the end of my stash!

    Usual cherry creme with dark chocolate, some dark cherries, spice, bramble and a slight pepper berry finish. Probably my best bottle yet, which shows this aged, and will likely continue to age, well. So darn good now though, will be difficult keeping my hands off remaining bottles. 95+ to 96 and delicious!

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  • 2009 Sine Qua Non Syrah The Thrill of... 95 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Opened and let is slo-O for an hour, then consumed over the next 2 hours. This wine was still improving throughout the consumption so drink or hold (it was also very good from the get-go).

    Nose and palate showed plenty black and blue fruit with some spoked meat and hints of black pepper and spice. Solid 95.

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  • 2006 Viña Cobos Malbec 94 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    PnP - Brought this down to Miami because my niece loves this wine (and I like it a lot too). I have had better bottles of this wine, but it still showed well.

    Lots of fruit and tertiary goodness! Dark fruit with anise, chocolate, coffee tobacco and spice. Silky smooth with a full, luscious mouthfeel. Solid 94 tonight.

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  • 2015 Château Climens 95 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac

    PnP - Classic Climens drinking quite well. Always well balanced and in the more fruity stage right now with plenty of citrus and quince, orange and stone fruit, followed by notes of honeycomb, spice and some minerality.

    IMO, This is just a notch below Yquem, but a slightly different flavor profile due, in part, to the lack of Sauvignon Blanc. But the balance between sweetness and acidity is close, if not on par, with Yquem. 95+ easily.

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Closing

A fun evening was had by all, and this was a great precursor to 2 days of tasting in Miami!

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