Not-so-old-not-so-rich blind tasting 1

First meeting of our new group. The theme was non-cabernet-based reds from California, no vintage restriction, between $10 - $40. Everyone brings their wines wrapped in foil so we do our best to keep it as "blind" as possible. Members are Gaby B, Gaby U, Danny, Brendan, Matt, and myself.

• 2007 Castlebank Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vines 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Flight 1, Wine 1 double-blind: Heat/alcohol out of the bottle, notes of bacon fat on the nose, tasted like cali cab/merlot blend. Evolved quickly w/ air "chocolate covered cherries" on the nose. When re-tasted after about 2 hours, the nose was pure mocha/coffee. Very pleasing bottle of wine.

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• 2005 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley

  Matt's wine. Very old world nose with hints of earth and wet soil. Grassy, it screams "terroir". Very smooth on the palate, light, but not underwhelming. Very solid Pinot Noir, would not have guessed California if it weren't for the theme.

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• 2005 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Dark purple color, reductiveness (rubber boot) nose with hints of ash / ashtray. Dry, very tannic and acidic. Hotsauce and pepper on the mouth and especially on the finish. White pepper on the finish. We were guessing highly-manipulated merlot, not a typical cab franc. It would be interesting to see this wine in 4+ years, right now it just seems completely disjointed and unstructured.

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• 2007 Sequana Vineyards Pinot Noir Sarmento Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Great wine, but sweeter/more extracted than Talley, earthy on the nose but not nearly as earthy as the Talley. Pretty fruit-forward Pinot, but by no means a fruitbomb.

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• 2001 Kent Rasmussen Petite Sirah Leeds-Chavez Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  WOTN. black/purple deep color, everyone was guessing Rhone blend. Beautiful bouquet of flowers and sweetness with a little bacon fat. Coated the mouth. Big wine, with a huge lasting finish. Very well-balanced, ready to drink right now. It could probably go a few more years, but why wait?

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• 2006 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Obviously a Rhone blend with classical characteristics. Nose of black pepper and spice with fruit peaking out. Had similar qualities to the Rasmussen Petite Sirah. Complex wine, with some notable extraction of fruit. Nice on the palate, a little light on the finish. It paled next to the Rasmussen and I felt the Talley was also significantly better as well.

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The Rasmussen Petit Sirah was the WOTN, followed by the Talley. We had a blast, maybe drank a little to much a little too quickly, but we had a really good time. The notes from the Elhers make it look "bad" when it really wasn't, I guess it was just the most "confusing"? Awesome time can't wait for the next one.