The Blind Drunks monthly tasting

Joe P's
Tasted Sunday, November 22, 2009 by AllRed with 1,141 views

Introduction

Wines are served double blind in brown paper bags. We spend 15-20 minutes tasting a flight, then the wines are discussed and unveiled prior to moving on to the next flight. The theme this month was 'uptown' or 'wines you liked that you want to turn us on to.'

Flight 1 - I. Warm-up whites. (4 Notes)

Flight 2 - II. Reds (4 Notes)

  • 2004 Highlands Zinfandel 87 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

    Pale garnet color, turning clear toward the edge. Looks like an older wine. Initial aromas of smoky dark fruit & bacon dissipate quickly, leaving a dominant peppery/spicy aroma. Medium-bodied with very high acidity and spicy red fruit flavors. Some thought old Cali Cab, I thought domestic Rhone blend.

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  • 1999 Peter Michael Les Pavots 94 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    Inky garnet color. Aromas of leather, mint, red currant and perfume. Medium- to full-bodied, and very well-balanced. It took some time in the glass to flesh out across the palate. Flavors of red fruit and leather, with an herbal note on the finish. A glass set aside improved as the evening wore on. Give this a couple more years, or plenty of air. 93-95+ pts.

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  • 1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Garnet color, showing some age at the edge. Notes of red fruit, a little dirt, mint, leather and tobacco. Improved in the glass. Medium-bodied, with flavors of herbs, currants and dark fruit. Very well-balanced. 93-94+ pts.

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  • 2000 Cayuse Camaspelo 88 Points

    USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

    Opaque garnet color. Notes of cherry, raspberry, citrus, vanilla and butter. The butter note takes over and dominates the bouquet. chalky tannins, with a sweet edge. Flavors of dark fruit and spice, with a medium length finish. Cali cab?

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Flight 3 - III. Reds. (5 Notes)

  • 1996 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard 83 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    Light ruby color, clearing toward the rim. Raisins & prunes on the nose, along with a sour note. Candied red fruit flavors on the palate, with a short finish.

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  • 1999 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Aromas of deli meat & pepperoni. Full bodied, with chewy tannins and red fruit flavors that linger through the finish. So different from the bottle in August that I wonder if this wasn't an off bottle?

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  • 2002 Red Car Syrah The Table Thompson Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Opaque garnet color. Mint, dark fruit & vanilla aromas. Full bodied, with chewy, chalky tannins & spicy blackberry flavors. Finishes a bit hot. CA cab? 88-90 pts.

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  • 2003 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 90 Points

    Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto

    Garnet color. Strong note of cat urine, along with grapefruit, tar and loam qualities. Full-bodied, with very nice balance on the palate. Flavors of tar, dark fruit and herbs with a medium+ length finish. One of tasters nailed this wine double blind.

    This was decanted for three hours, then allowed to breathe in bottle for another four+. Now in the awkward stage, showing the urine & sour qualities, though the palate maintains good balance and fruit. This will be outstanding in time. Check back in around 2014/2015.

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  • 1996 Schweiger Vineyards Merlot

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    The dominant aroma is something along the lines of sassafras (root beer). Medium- to full-bodied and nicely balanced, with chewy tannins and dark fruit flavors.

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Flight 4 - IV. Reds. (4 Notes)

  • 2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 91 Points

    Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto

    Deep crimson color. Notes of chocolate, mushroom, prune and mint. Well-balanced, with blackberry, plum and herbal/spice tones on the palate. Long finish. 91-92 pts.

    This was decanted for an hour, then allowed to breathe in bottle for another eight+ before tasting. Hold until 2016+.

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  • 2006 Dominus Napanook Red 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Garnet color. Notes of red fruit and oak spice, with a nice herbal undertone. Elevated acid levels, though not too high, with red currant, plum and buttery tones on the palate. Easy to identify as Cali cab. 89-90 pts.

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  • 2001 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 93 Points

    Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto

    Opaque crimson/garnet color. Opens with citrus and plum tones, followed by loam, coffee, herb, dark fruit and mint notes. Very well-balanced. Tannins are integrating well, though still evident. Dark fruit, mocha and herb flavors lasting through the long, balanced finish. 93-94 pts.

    This was decanted for an hour, then allowed to breathe in bottle for another five+ before tasting. Almost at the beginning of its window, but give it a few years yet. Check back in 2012+.

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  • 2004 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 92 Points

    Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto

    Deep color. Opened with a sour citrus note, which dissipated fairly quickly. Following that were aromas of mocha, dark fruit, loam and plum. Nicely balanced, with flavors of plum, coffee, herbs and black fruit. There's a slightly sweet edge to the tannins. Long, balanced finish. 92-93 pts.

    Decanted for an hour, allowed to breathe in bottle for another seven+ before the tasting.

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Flight 5 - V. Nonblind dinner/dessert wines. (2 Notes)

With Al's pizza & some terrific brownies, courtesy of Joe's daughter.

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