Big Reds and BBQ

I met up with Shane, Ward, and their wives at brand bbq to kick off the year. The general theme was bring a big red that would stand up to the food

• 2004 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  nose: buttery nose at first along with tones of tropical citrus', orange peels, meringue and some bits of toasty oak. Excellent balance with good depth, this is almost as textbook of a california chard as you can want. The oak and butter aren't too overwhelming on the nose to really make them a problem
  
  taste: full bodied with rich and balanced tones of tropical citrus, some butter, orange peels, meringue, spice, and some new oak bits on the back end. Good medium acidity is there as well. The oak lingers a bit much on the back end of the palate, but it isn't too much either
  
  overall: A textbook cali chard. Well balanced with good tones and a real richness to it. I didn't get a chance to revisit it later to see if it improved, but this was extremely good and enjoyable

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• 2001 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spätlese 91 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  nose: real good tart nose with tasty tones of green apples, minerals, lemon peels, bits of peaches and loads of white fruits. Good depth and layering with a real nice focus as well on the nose
  
  taste: extremely tasty medium feel with nice medium+ acidity and delicious tones of green apples, minerals, lemon peel, and some bits of peaches. Excellent feel that has real good weight to it and moves very well across the palate
  
  overall: this was served at a bit lower than room temperature. Even with it being slightly warmer then normal, it still had a real nice crispness to it

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• 2003 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  nose: extremely smokey nose at first that came off as a bit disjointed. With air, it really came together and deepened with well layered tones of black cherries, olives, mineral rich earth, and tart raspberry tones. Great depth and very expressive that draws you in
  
  taste: was slightly hollow on the mid-palate at first and was uninspiring. With air, the feel fleshed out greatly and turned into a satiny medium/full feel with nice smooth tannins and tones of char-smoke, black cherries, mineral rich earth, and raspberry tones
  
  overall: this took a bit to get going. Was told that it had been double decanted for about 2-3 hours. This transformed magnificently and became a real beauty of a wine as it got more air. Great layering on both the nose and palate. This is a very sensual wine and would've been fun to follow with for a longer period

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• 2006 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  nose: lush and rich nose that struts with rich red cherry tones, olives, some smoke tones, black pepper, bacon fat, and tones of lavender. Has a real tart fruit base on the nose and it really just sings in the glass with great depth and layering
  
  taste: full bodied with a real fat feel as well. Excellent supporting tannins give this a good spine along with deep tones of bacon fat, red cherries, lavender, fresh berries and raspberries along with some smoke tones as well
  
  overall: A young wine, but has the ability to be a real stunner with a bit more age. The fruit on it is just so delicious and deep. Great balance on both the nose and palate, and the nose just sings

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• 2004 Pax Syrah Cuvée Keltie 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast

  nose: rich and dark nose of blackberries, black cherries, smoke, anise and spices. Good depth and has a more forward style
  
  taste: full bodied and rich with big tones of blackberries, black cherries, spices, and bits of incense. Excellent balance and it holds the style well along with bringing great depth
  
  overall: Seems to be ready to go for the most part. It isn't over-ripe, but it is forward and certainly new world

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• 2003 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  nose: rich and syrupy nose with tones of hoison, roast beef, black cherries, dark berries, and some sorts of portish/stewed tones. Good depth and holds back a bit of the super-ripe parts of 03. At the same time, it shows off the vintage well
  
  taste: good firm tannins give the backbone to a real good medium feel and tones of hoison, roast beef, black cherries, liqueur, and some dark berry tones. Almost port-like on the palate with a bit of heat on the back end
  
  overall: An interesting CdP. Shows off the vintage with having a port-like quality to the wine and rich tones. Good depth and is certainly coming off young at this time

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A real fun night, and a great way to kick off what promises to be a great year. Laid back atmosphere with real good food and friends always makes for a great combo