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Odds, Ends and Unusual Bottles
Eric's Home, NYC
Tasted April 3, 2010 by Cheryl with 684 views
Introduction
Excellent theme for a dinner and Eric was a great host. We all brought stuff that we were interested in opening, but wouldn't likely have another dinner or gathering to bring it to. No corked bottles, no provenance issues. We got lucky. I've now finished the last two bottles from the first case I ever purchased. Took four years! The Washington Cabs were really enjoyable for me and the 75% grenache blanc Core, was really tasty too. Lots of good things all night long.
Flight 1 (12 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Cristalino Cava Brut
Still looking for an inexpensive sparkler to have at home, but this isn't it. There isn't enough fruit and it has funky, earthy notes that are in contrast to the freshness I prefer in Champagne.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Domaine Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs
I really enjoyed this. This was light and bright on the palate and very slighty sweet. Not complex but very enjoyable. Worth the $13.
White
2007 Herb Lamb Sauvignon Blanc EII Napa Valley White Wine
This was varietally correct with grass a little citrus being the predominate notes on the nose and palate. I prefer SB with more tropical notes like those from NZ or my all-time favorite SB, Dry Stack Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Rosemary's Block Dry Stack Vineyard. Ok.
Red
1997 Ravenswood Pickberry
This is 13 years old but is still fresh and has some years to go. Only 5% cab franc, but I would have thought there was more based on some green, leathery notes I usually pick out with CF.
Red
2000 Château Meyney
Medium tannins, dark fruit and berry nose. Slight, slight green in the middle (maybe there is some cab franc here) with black olive and pepper.
White
2006 Core Santa Barbara County White Wine
75% Grenache Blanc, a whopping 14.9% alcohol that is hidden exceptionally well. A big wine, for sure, creamy nose with good acidity and some honey and peach notes. Great mouthfeel. Really nice wine.
Red
2000 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Walla Walla Valley
My notes get sketchy here, but this was nice. Opened but not decanted at 10:30am and consumed around 7. Really nice dark fruit and full-bodied.
Red
2000 Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve
I loved this. Pop and pour. Balanced with loads of dark, bright cherries and berries jumping out of the glass. I don't have a lot of experience with WA cabs, but this seems slightly brighter and lighter than many of the dense Cali Cabs, I've had. I enjoy them too, but this had especially good QPR at $29.
Red
2004 Château Lascombes
This was very enjoyable. I may have guessed that this was US, if I hadn't otherwise known. Sweet dark fruit. Terrific now and likely with more time, as well.
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Comment
Red
2006 La Fenêtre Cabernet Sauvignon Tête Brûlée
This was particularly sweet and too young to open. I got a strange note of honeydew on the nose, which I've never encountered on a red wine before. This wasn't great. I might try this again in a few years, but I don't hold out much hope for it. This was rather simple.
Red
2001 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT
This seemed over the hill to me and pretty simple. No tannins left at all.
White
2008 Scholium Project Riquewihr Lost Slough Vineyards
I don't recall having had a dry gewurztraminer before, but this could have used more sweetness. Lots of one note citrus. Uninteresting, just odd.