The OC Blind Crew

All served blind, with only the author of each flight knowing their own wines only. Wines revealed after each flight was served and tasted.

Always enjoy the company and generosity of the OC gang, plus the humility and learning that comes with the blind format.

• 1990 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millésimé

  France, Champagne

  Poured from a big 'ol mag. Nutty with pear, apple and what seemed like an almond flavor, along with light mineral. Something opn the finish seemed out of whack, like a brown or cooked note. Don't drink a lot of bubbly so not sure what to call it.

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Turns out to be a vintage comparison, as well as a white burg vs cal chardonnay. Great idea Ryan.

• 1995 Verget Meursault Les Rougeots

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault

  Ripe nose with what I thought was a VA note. Of the 4 wines in the flight, this was the darkest in color, almost gold in hue. pear, smoke and thicker-styled and heavy. Did not care for this much.

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• 1994 Kalin Cellars Chardonnay Cuvée LD

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Funky nose, with what I thought reminded me of tire or rubber. Tropical/papaya, generous palate with anjou pear and orange oil. I could not get past the nose but the wine seemed fine, otherwise.

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• 2005 Arnaud Ente Meursault

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault

  Really dug this wine and was for me the WOTF. Delicate, lithe, both in color and weight with smoky tones, aple, fennel and mineral. Toasty finish that is elegant but so expressive in flavors. What a stand out wine and just delicious and refreshing. The style of chardonnay that I am more and more fond of. Thank you, Ryan.

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• 2004 Rhys Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Seemed richer to me than I was expecting but I wonder how much the vintage's heat was speaking here? Baked apple pie, buttery with some acidity, though, to carry it. Having tasted this after the Arnaud Ente Mersault, probably wasn't a fair fight for this Rhys. Not bad but but a little rich in the comparative sense.

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Turns out to be all 2006 Carlisle zins. Steve, good fool on the peeps.

• 2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Rich and blueberry jamminess. Briar, sweet leather, and dark raspberry. I would not have guessed this to be Carlisle Carlisle, as it seemed to lack the loam and earthiness I often get from this vineyard but nevertheless, I liked it. A big core of fruit, too.

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• 2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlo's Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Hint of soy on nose, with light pepper. As this was served blind, I thought syrah given these aromatics. Blueberry, tar, some leather, structure finish. Man, I was still thinking syrah but again, zinfandel all the way when the bag came off. A very nice wine with lots of complexity.

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• 2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Well, I can see why so many people who are into zinfandel like this wine so much. I had not tasted any since my order arrived so it was a thrill to get this wine blind and take a run at it without the label staring at me. Yes, there is a fair amount of oak on the nose IMO but once through that, lots of juicy blue and black fruit, some richness and just pure, pure, pure. Just beautiful and silky, with some structure even to boot. I'd say Mike really hit the home run on this bottling. WOTF.

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• 2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Pietro's Ranch

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Fat, round, jammy and spicy. The nose had a soapy note to it, too, which I did not care for. Light raisin and high oak.

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I thought a couple of these would show better.

• 2005 Melville Pinot Noir Estate Verna's

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Showed much richer and less delicate than my recall of this same wine, coincidentally, also poured blind about 8 months ago during an event we had at my place. Still shows same raspberry, but more jammy tonight with a hint of heat. I am going to try another bottle here soon and see which perception is more accurate--the one from last night or 8 months ago.

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• 2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Sweeter and little heavier than the last time I remember tasting this wine. Sweet red apple, little syrupy, mineral and I would now say this wine is in the prime drink window. Doesn't seem to be pushing past the line but it's reaching close to it. Generous and bold but enough red fruit to carry. Hit it.

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• 2004 Roar Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Disappointed here. Lots of smoky funky notes on the nose. Jammy strawberry.......what happened to this wine?

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• 2003 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Westside Road Neighbors

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Many seemed to like this wine. I found the nose to be interesting, smelling older than the wine really is. Would not have guessed 2003. However, the flavors and smoothness of this wine seem to carry it along well and it's got some life left but I say drink now, as the wine does have some richness that might ultimately pass the fruit by.

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Good work, Robo. Fooled a # of us and nice diversity.

• 2003 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M.

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  White pepper, raspberry jam and sweet red edges. Even at room temperature, smooth and even. Drinking very well and one of my favorites of the flight.

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• 2002 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Well, not doing it for me. Ripe and oaky, rich and forward and just kind of one noted. How much does this wine fetch? Rob, thanks for bringing this out but I would say if anyone owns this bottle, drink it now and soon before the thing gets more flabby.

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• 2005 Saxum James Berry Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Coffee, oak, iron and chocolate. Gentler fruit but lots of richness and plushness.

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• 2004 Gemstone Facets

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  For as big and generous as this wine was, it clicked with me and was clearly the WOTF. Currant, tobacco and some green edges that help add some balance to a riper-styled core. I really liked the even feel, the balance and glide of this wine along with the dark chocolate finish. Excellent.

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• 2007 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  I own three of these and by god, that's a good thing, as this wine is dope. Make no mistake, this is classy and excellent syrah, with Mike just really hitting all cylinders. Some menthol (whole cluster?) on nose, dark chocolate and a ferrous quality. Blackberry, mineral, both rich and complex together with a touch of heat, which is my only knock that I can find. However, that's small in comparison to what this wine shows. Tremendous and really classy.

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