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Motley Cru does Off the Beaten Path
San Marcos, CA
Tasted October 30, 2010 by MarkC with 586 views
Introduction
We've been getting together long enough that coming up with a fresh theme is actually difficult. In the end, with a bit of help from Steve, I settled on doing wines that are a little off the beaten path within the context of California/US wines. Not that these are super-rare or hard to get, but most are not darlings of the various wine bulletin boards (though some might be in the future) or they're new enough releases that few people have actually popped one.
Flight 1 - Restrained Chardonnays (3 notes)
White
2008 Sanguis The Narrow & Straight
91 points
The most atypical of the three Chards, most people thought there was a heavy Rhone influence. While there is a bit of Viognier (<3%), I would have guessed Marsanne or Roussanne instead. Got better with air, and I'd guess will improve with another few years of age, and probably has some durability as well. Waxy, dark yellow fruit flavors, with a hint of petrol (hence the Rhone thought). Good stuff. (PE: 91)
White
2008 Maybach Family Vineyards Chardonnay Eterium
91 points
Crisp, lively fruit with good acidity. Didn't detect any noticeable oak or butter or other typical California Chardonnay elements. That said, I quite enjoyed it for something different outside of what I normally drink. I'd guess this will improve a little bit in the next 2-3 years. (PE: 91)
White
2007 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard
92 points
Of the three non-typical California Chardonnays, this was the most California-like in that I got some notes of sweet butterscotch and vanilla. This probably led to my liking it the most, because it came the closest to fitting in my wheelhouse. It also had bright, vibrant citrus fruits, with some melon/tropical fruit influence. I'm not sure this will improve much (for my palate) so I would recommend drinking in the next year or two. (PE: 91)
Flight 2 - Uncommon Rhones (3 notes)
Red
2005 Alta Maria Syrah
This was a very nice wine (I think it got at least one WOTN vote), that showed correctly for a Syrah from California. Bit of bacon, dark blue and black fruits, plenty of heft and probably enough stuffing to age another 10 years. (PE: 91)
Red
2007 Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity
I enjoyed this, but didn't pay enough attention to write a detailed note. Seems that it was well-structured, with great balance, but probably needs a few months (years) to show better. Sadly I only had one, so I won't find out how it evolves. (PE: 92)
Red
1999 Jeff Cohn Cellars Syrah Philary Vineyard
92 points
This wine was drinking really well, and garnered the most votes for WOTN (admittedly this doesn't mean much since half the wines got at least one WOTN vote). However, unlike 4 years ago, it was showing good fruit, but with earthy, barn-yardy, spicy elements that made people think "Old World" more than with the other two "Rhone" wines. Too bad this was my last bottle, because I think it would probably be even better in another 3-5 years. Only 132 *bottles* of this were made. (PE: 91)
Flight 3 - Different Cabernets (3 notes)
Red
2004 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille
92 points
First Betz I've enjoyed. Previous bottles seemed to have some weird VA-like elements and were out of balance. Maybe I was drinking them too young. This was well-made, nicely balanced, with enough fruit to keep me interested, but it is not a New World fruit bomb, either. Overshadowed by the M. Etain tonight, but not by much. (PE: 90)
Red
2006 Agharta Wines Exhibit B
89 points
I enjoyed this wine, but don't think it's one of the better Pax-made wines I've had. Seemed to be a bit disjointed and not yet knit together into a cohesive personality. There are good elements--ripe fruit, good tannins, etc.--but they don't seem to balance or complement each other as they could. Perhaps it needs more time, or should have been decanted longer, but it seemed to be the same over the course of a few hours. (PE: 89)
Red
2008 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon Monsieur Étain
92 points
Popped and poured, this needs some air. Initially showed green notes that were not my favorite, but after an hour or so this came on strong. Very correct Napa Cabernet. Missing the richness and density of the regular bottle, this may actually be preferable to folks who enjoy a less "big" wine. I also confess that I bought this for the boxes--loved them, and thought my kids would dig them--but have ended up happy with the wine. (PE: 91)
Closing
We enjoyed the whites with a selection of cheeses, and the reds with some Flannery beef (hangers and tenderloins). We made vanilla ice cream for dessert and managed to enjoy it without any dessert wine :-)