NSMFOW November 2009--Mini Verticals

The Grapevine, Salem, MA
Tasted Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by cgrimes with 674 views

Introduction

Al hosted this great theme of six mini verticals, with an older and newer vintage of each wine represented. The wines were diverse and fine examples of quality for each particular region. I cannot recall the specifics of the meal but the quality was good despite Kate not being present in the kitchen.

Flight 1 - Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2002 Smith-Madrone Riesling 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Straw color. Nose of pears, apricot, petrol. On the palate the fruit was somewhat faded compared to the petrol character. Lower acidity. Enjoyable.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2007 Smith-Madrone Riesling 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Light yellow color. Nose of apricots, some lychee. Some spritz on the palate with fresh fruit and slight minerality. Came off more one-dimensional compared to the '02

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 2 - Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 1995 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru

    Medium ruby color. Nose of Red/Black cherries, earth, mushrooms. Similar on the palate with some minerality and acidity. Classic and balanced. Though the fruit may be starting to fade, this is drinking really well.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2003 Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos des Lambrays Grand Cru

    Dark ruby color, almost opaque. Nose of ripe black cherries, herbs, wood, some spice and alcohol. Palate with similar cherry structure, almost stewed, some kirsh, spice and a bit of heat. Reminded me of one of the bigger OR Pinots. Lacked the structure of the '95.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 3 - Flight 3 (2 Notes)

  • 1976 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia 95 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Ruby color with bricking. Nose of red fruits, cedar, minerals, leather. Palate of red cherry, raspberry, cedar, mushroom, minerals with a soft tannin structure to provide nice balance. A wonderful, complex, even youthful wine that was a joy to drink.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1987 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia 92 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Darker ruby compared to the '76. Nose of black cherry with earth and mushroom, more apparent than the '76. Fruit more dense but somehow not quite as balanced and complex compared to the '76. Still, a lovely wine.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 4 - Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 1990 Château Lynch-Bages 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Dark ruby color with some bricking. Nose of blackberries, cassis, tobacco, pencil lead. Similar on the palate with some earth and mineral. Still some tannins to provide structure. Good balance and density. Classic.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1999 Château Lynch-Bages 92 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Dark ruby, almost purple with slight bricking at the rim. Big nose of blackberries, cassis, tobacco with slight herbaceousness. Similar palate. Still somewhat tannic. Nice wine but still needs some time.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 5 - Flight 5 (2 Notes)

  • 1975 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Mountain 97 Points

    USA, California

    Deep ruby color with no evidence of bricking. Complex nose briary fruit, earth, spice, and smoke. Similar on the palate with incredible youthfulness and density. The palate was complex and ever-changing. Still tannic. This was probably the best CA cab (and one of the best wines) I've ever tasted.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 1997 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Purple color. Similar in profile to the '75 except still so primary that it really needs more time (a lot more time) to really blossom.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 6 - Flight 6 (2 Notes)

  • 1996 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 93 Points

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

    Color of light brown sugar. Nose of dried fruit, marmalade, spice. Similar on the palate with some stony minerality. Good acidity. Excellent wine.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2005 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 93 Points

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

    Similar to my previous note: Golden color. Nose of apricots. Palate of apricot, some apple, brown sugar with great acidity to balance. The purity and density of fruit at this stage is quite pleasing.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Closing

Next month will be our end of the year BYO blind tasting.

×
×