Peter Pratt's 2009 Cali Cab Table

This was a fantastic day. I can't believe I've missed the other Pratt's events. Mark Franks - you throw a mean party! Thank you so much for your work on this. I saw old friends and a number of people I hadn't seen in a long time. I bunch of people poured me tastes of fantastic wines, so thank you all! I sat at the Cali Cab table and we had quite the showing ourselves. On to the notes...

• 2006 Didier Dagueneau Pur Sang

  France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé

  I loved this. Slightly sweet ripe fruit, white grapefruit on the nose. Awesome. I really liked this.

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• 2004 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Cloudy in the glass, slightly sweet, strong grassy scent. I don't love chardonnay, but this was nice.

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• NV Jacques Selosse Substance

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Nice, like sweet golden apple juice. Not like traditional champagne.

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• 1993 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Smooth mouth finish, short to med finish, I didn't get a lot from this wine.

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• 1995 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Buttery popcorn on the nose, blood, oak on the palatte. Okay, not great.

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• 1995 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Cherry licorice at first, some alcohol and iron. Nice, the best of the three, but not off the wall fantastic.

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• 1996 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I didn't take notes on this. I was indifferent to the two wines in this flight. It was a split vote for the table however, between this and the 96 Seavey.

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• 1996 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  No notes on this. No real preference between this and the Pahlmeyer.

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Brent brought the 1989 Les Forts de Latour, Izzy shared the 1990 Jadot. Two more French wines that I enjoyed. My 2009 wine impressions are off to a crazy start. That Pandora, though, was wild and a showstopper. I'd love to own that.

• 1989 Château Latour Les Forts de Latour

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  For me, this surprise that Brent pulled out his bag was far and away the best of the flight.

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• 1990 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Domaine Louis Jadot

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru

  I really liked this. Thanks for sharing, guys. Excellent.

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• 2005 Alban Vineyards Pandora

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  A fantastic wine. Possibly my WOTD. Brent kept reminding me that it wasn't a traditional grenache profile - doesn't matter to me! I loved it. There were notes on the nose I've never had before. Lots of sweet fruit with a tiny, tiny bit of spicy earth on the nose. I loved it. I got a "no soup for you" postcard from Albam last Fall. Does anyone know how long I'll have to wait?

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• 2005 Cayuse God Only Knows

  USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  Earthy fruit. Okay, much more traditional than Pandora. Thanks for sharing this.

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• 2005 Source NAPA Syrah Old Vines

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This was okay. Young, with a lot of alcohol. Would like to try it in a couple of years.

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• 1997 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon Casa Dalla Valle

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Okay

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• 1999 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Spottswoode Estate Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This won the flight against the Dalla Valle 10-0. I found it to have a spicy nose. Nice.

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• 1995 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Mountain

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

  Brent brought this as a treat for us. Nice bottle, that goes under the radar. Bright and fruity, not especially big.

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I think the lovely Diane shared this with me, but I admit I'm not sure. (I'd had a bit of wine by this point!) I just know I liked it!

• 2000 Nicolas Potel Romanée St. Vivant

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru

  I was glad to get a taste of this. Nice, with a lot of fruit, without being crazy jammy. I liked it.

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The Corra and Bevan were lovely wines, but for the first time, I got the beauty of having an aged cab. Lots of fruit in both of these and they were balanced, but I can't imagine what time will do. They are showing well now and will have even more buzz as they age. The Aubert - I did not enjoy.

• 2004 Corra Cabernet Sauvignon

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Lots of fruit. I liked this. Young and big.

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• 2005 Aubert Lucia Abreu Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  I didn't care for this. I wrote that it had alcohol X infinit. Not for me.

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• 2005 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Showket Vineyards

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  Really nice. Smooth tannins. Long finish. Fruit and spices, but not overly fruity or spicy. Lots of balance. I dig this! My WOTF. I hope I can keep my hands off of these!

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Gosh! These Rhone Ranger I folks had fantastic wine and, boy, were they generous. Thanks guys.

• 2005 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog

  USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  I liked this. Big, expressive wine. I look forward to having a glass in the future and really spending some time with this. I made the list last fall - didn't get this one, but am glad to have some Cayuse coming.

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• 2004 Basel Cellars Syrah Reserve Lewis Vineyard

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Fantastic. Better than the Bionic Frog and the 2001 Saxum that I tasted at the same time. I've already looked up some on Wine-Searcher.

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The dessert was the best food flight for me at Pratt's (other than the cheese) so I don't think I paid much attention to the stickies. It was a great ending to a great day.

• 1989 Château Guiraud

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Nice.

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• 2006 Holdredge Pinot Gris Grace's Cuvée

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nice

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• 1998 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  Not for me.

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In closing, the Spottswoode won WOTD for our table with Shafer Hillside and Bevan taking second and third place. Fantastic day, fantastic wines. Thanks to all the Cali Cab lovers!