King Grape- california cabernets

this was a belated birthday+graduation dinner that Ben put together with california cabernets being the focal point

• NV Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Cuis 90 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  disgorged 1/06
  
  nose: really good nose filled with lemon creams, smoked almonds, green apples, bits of bread and some hints of brioche. Good depth and class to it
  
  taste: excellent light and smooth feel with good medium+ acidity with good tones of lemon creams, green apples, bread and some good tones of tropical citrus'
  
  overall: really good stuff. This had a bit of age on it which made for some more round tones. Excellent flavors and aromas, this hit all of the places well that make champagne enjoyable

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• 2006 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  nose: really good nose with loads of tropical fruits, smoked nuts, bits of lemons and a touch of butter. Great well balanced flavors, but lacking a bit of depth
  
  taste: excellent body with rich tones of smoked nuts, tropical fruits and some buttery tones. A bit hollow on the mid palate and lacking a bit of depth
  
  overall: a real quality chard. It was missing that next gear that a previous bottle had. Could've used more air probably, c'est la vie

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• 2003 Teachworth Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Blend 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

  Nose: very expressive nose filled with cedar, dark red cherries, cassis, perfumes, cranberries and bits of sour red fruits. Lovely nose that has that classic cabernet smell that is very alluring and almost intoxicating
  
  taste: great medium/full feel with lush tannins that are there for support. Well balanced tones of cedar, dark red cherries, floral bits, cranberries and hints of cassis
  
  overall: A very expressive cabernet. The body is deceptive as it moves very well across the palate. This really acts like a realatively mature Diamond Creek. This can definitely go further, but is a real joy right now and is in a great place.

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• 1999 Delectus Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  nose: real good balance with tones of cedar, black cherries, cranberries, black currants and some bell pepper tones with hints of root vegetables. Very nice nose with good depth, but not the most expressive nose, it is what it is
  
  taste: nice rich medium/full feel with well balanced tones of dark red fruits, black cherries, cranberries, anise and some bell peppers. Nice depth and well polished feel, just not very expressive
  
  overall: a quality cabernet that while on the younger side, is drinking fine. Maybe some more time on it will allow it to get out of second gear and blossom

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• 1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  nose: fairly tight at first and took a while to unravel. As it opened up beautiful and well balanced tones of red fruits, red cherries, black berries, small mixed berries and bits of cedar and smokey tones. Very sultry nose that becomes almost intoxicating
  
  taste: lovely and pure with a smooth medium+ feel providing rich tones of red fruits, cedar, smoke, black berries and red cherries
  
  overall: a very classy and elegant wine. This has a long way to go and posseses beautiful purity of fruit with wonderful balance

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• 2003 Ferrari-Carano Prevail Back Forty

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  nose: very bold tones of black fruits, black cherries, bits of bell peppers and anisette. A bit disjointed on the nose and a bit stewed
  
  taste: hard edged tannins with bold tones of black fruits, black cherries, anisette and dark cranberries
  
  overall: fairly hard and unforgiving. Very different then the other notes on this and not sure what to make of it. It was popped and poured at the resturant, but decanted for about two hours.

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• 2003 Ridge Monte Bello 91 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  nose: very tight nose with some tones of cedar, red cherries, red currants, and bits of herbs. This had been decanted for a while, but is obviously brutally young
  
  taste: very polished with a very classy medium/full feel. Big tannins, but good tones of cedar, sour cranberries, red cherries, red currants and herbs
  
  overall: extremely young. Not shut down, but very tight. There is a ton of promise in this wine, but this was definitely infanticide. It'd be interesting to see where this is in 2015

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A good night with really good wine. Always a good bunch to get together with some good food and good wines=a great combinations