Cabernet Tasting at Chez Bonner

A ridiculous event hosted by Justin at his beautiful house. I missed some of the wines - it was truly done to excess. Food was catered by Jalapenos, and was also excellent.

The Aubert shined above the rest for me

• 2005 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 96 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  lovely -- i didnt realize this was the second time i have had the 05 Lauren, but nice to see that I have consistently loved it.

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• 2004 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  more overt oak than the Aubert

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• 2004 Sine Qua Non The Rejuvenators 91 Points

  USA, California

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• 2000 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc De L'Orée 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

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An insane lineup of wines, young and old. The Bryant was the cream of the crop for me, and possibly the WOTN. Biggest positive surprise? Sassoforte. Biggest negative surprise? Leoville Poyferre (others enjoyed it very much)

• 1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  no note - many were talking about how this wine was the one that hooked them on wine, years back

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• 1997 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain

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• 1995 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera Reserva 91 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  I believe this was the Reserva -- no note, but more rustic than most of the others. From 5L bottle.

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• 2005 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Precious 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

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• 1996 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 98 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  wow. this was incredible. really in a sweet spot right now, but still impressively youthful. layers and layers of flavor, everything well balanced, and a long finish.

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• 2005 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

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• 2005 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon T6 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

  no note - others had this near the top of their list -- it was merely 'top half' for me. Still a delicious young Cali Cab.

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• 1985 Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  wonderfully aged cab

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• 2006 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  This was much better than my last experience with Scarecrow (the 05), so I think that may have been an off bottle given my experience here and with Corras. Delicious, sweet fruit.

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• 1999 Enrico Fossi Sassoforte Toscana IGT 95 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  This wine was a revelation -- different than everything else, so a nice change of pace, but I think it does well on its own merit. Held its own against MUCH higher pricetags.

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• 2004 Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Wight 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

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• 2004 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 95 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

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• 2004 Delectus Cuvée Julia 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

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• 2003 Château Léoville Poyferré 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Julien

  most enjoyed this more than me

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• 1987 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

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• 2001 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points

  USA, Washington

  bright plummy fruit

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• 2004 Corra Cabernet Sauvignon 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

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• 2001 Paloma Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

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Drunk around a fire pit in the back yard. The SQN was a disappointment to me -- I have loved most of the Grenaches Ive had from them. Ringland also disappointing. The Chaval Blanc was stunning, and the Harlan, while tough to evaluate (put a range around it) was also delicious.

• 2005 Harlan Estate 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Infanticide by JB -- very tight, but nice tannic structure. Delicious, and makes the offer I just got excruciatingly tempting.

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• 2000 Chris Ringland Shiraz 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa

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• 2002 Sine Qua Non Grenache More Than a Number 93 Points

  USA, California

  from mag

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• 1998 Château Cheval Blanc 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

  yum -- this was really good.

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The Yquem and dal Forno Recioto are the other candidates for WOTN. If pressed, I would probably go with the dal Forno, but that was largely based on the positive surprise for me!

• 2001 Château d'Yquem 98 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  this was amazing, as before. ridiculous finish, perfect acidity. this is going to be an expensive habit! (from split)

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• 1997 Romano Dal Forno Recioto della Valpolicella 98 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella

  a revelation to me, as I hadn't had Dal Forno before -- all of the great layered flayers of a nice vintage port, but without the heat. Really tasty!

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• 1995 Romano Dal Forno Nettare 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT

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• 2005 Sine Qua Non Marsanne Mr. K The Straw Man 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

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• 1977 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 95 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

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Delicious... I am not typically a spirits drinker, but this was delightful

• NV Marnier Lapostolle Grand Marnier Cuvée du Cent Cinquantenaire 97 Points

  France

  delightful -- candied orange peel

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A memorable night... Justin, you know how to throw a party!