Friday Barbecue (Contrarian, Pride, Stonehorse and Myrat)

Up on the roof
Tasted Friday, July 8, 2005 by prafferty with 664 views

Introduction

A nice finale to a short work week, enjoying a beautiful summer night in Chicago.

Flight 1 - The warmup (1 Note)

A new Rhone Ranger release to start with Tortilla chips and Mango salsa.

  • 2004 Linne Calodo The Contrarian 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    This wine just arrived locally and we decided to pull the cork on it. Really exotic nose, bananas, swimming pool and what could only be described as "the beach". In the mouth, nice, slightly long finish, not as full-bodied as I thought it might be. A hint of minerality popped up in the finish after a while. Consumed over 2 hours. Will buy again and lay away for a while to see how this develops.

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Flight 2 - With Burgers (Veggie and Regular) and Chicken Sausage (2 Notes)

  • 2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 89 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

    Picked up a lone bottle of this from a friend since I didn't order any from the winery this year. Big, big Pride Merlot nose. Could pick this from a mile away. In the mouth, however, this seemed not as full and fat as the 2002 or as structured as the 2001. Was ever so slightly thin (not really thin, but for Pride, it seemed thin). Just didn't grab me as much as previous vintages of this wine and I think it's slightly off the pace of its older siblings.

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  • 2002 Kaesler Shiraz Stonehorse 93 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    Big, huge Aussie Shiraz. Nose was deep black fruits, tar and a hint of vanilla that seems to be getting fainter as this wine ages and integrates. Absolutely tongue-staining in the mouth, not particularly tannic though the fruit was so huge and lush, we may not have noticed. Long, long finish. It would be great if this wine would take on some more complexity but I'm not holding out and my bottles probably won't last long enough. It's delicious now when one is in the mood.

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Flight 3 - Dessert (1 Note)

Served with Eli's Bailey's cheesecake.

  • 2001 Château de Myrat 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    Really nice, dominated a little bit by a "woody" component at first but as it opened up and cooled from cellar temperature, the tropical fruits began to overwhelm in waves. Excellent finish that goes on and on. I am forever on the lookout for this wine when I can pick it up on the cheap.

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