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Terroirist Blogger Tasting #2
David White's House
Tasted August 6, 2011 by davidwhitedc with 788 views
Introduction
Opened up some wine samples with fellow Terroirists Robby Schrum, Rebecca Canan, and Ainsley Adams. All wines were provided at no charge, as press samples.
Flight 1 - Light whites (3 notes)
White
2009 Cantina di Soave Soave Classico Rocca Sveva
89 points
Nose is incredibly floral -- white flowers, fresh grass, lemon, lime, green apple, interesting subtle notes of sunflower seeds and hazelnuts. Palate is the same -- but creamier than expected, with some lemon curd coming through. Great acidity throughout the palate. Finishes short. Perfect summertime quaffer.
White
2009 Benessere Pinot Grigio
84 points
Nose of sweet lemon drop, apricot, hazelnut, crème brule, and butter. Behind all that, some bright citrus notes. A simple, pleasurable wine, if not varietally pure. Good acidity.
White
2009 Cantina di Monteforte Soave Re Teodorico
83 points
On the nose, smells like sweet lemons and pink grapefruit -- with a subtle (but offensive) note of plastic. On the palate, the pink grapefruit hits you hard, and tastes very sour.
Flight 2 - Some Chardonnay (3 notes)
White
2009 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Chardonnay Russian River Valley
92 points
This wine was fantastic. The nose is incredibly seductive -- lots of green apple, lemon, lime, lemon rind, white flowers, hint of oak and butter. On the palate, a bit more tart than the nose suggested. Mouth-watering acidity. Great wine.
White
2009 Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay Diamond Collection Gold Label
87 points
On the nose, kiwis, lemons, some butter, some smoke, and some oak. The palate is the same, with the butter remaining in check. Definitely a good QPR -- one that would please those looking for a typical California Chardonnay and also those who hate movie theater popcorn in their wine.
White
2008 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay
87 points
On the nose, sweet lime juice, rose water, vanilla, and a bit of oak. The palate is the same, with stronger citrus notes (lemon and lime juice) coming through. Mouth-coating, but not from the acidity -- from the alcohol. The wine finishes with a bit of heat.
Flight 3 - A Rosé and some Pinot (5 notes)
Rosé
2010 Benessere Rosato
81 points
On the nose and palate, Ocean Spray cranberry juice meets Ludens Wild Cherry cough drops. Not flawed or offensive in any way, but not my cup of tea.
Red
2009 Sequana Vineyards Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch
91 points
The nose screams Russian River Valley pinot -- but more restrained and green. Tart, slightly under-ripe cherries, some real red cherries, some stems, graphite/riverbed minerality, some interesting black pepper. On the palate, wonderful, juicy acidity and a long finish. Great wine.
Red
2009 Francis Ford Coppola Pinot Noir Director's Cut
90 points
On the nose, sweet strawberries, ice-cream sundae cherries, and vanilla, with some subtle wild herbs (sage!) underneath. Palate is the same, with surprisingly strong tannins.
Red
2009 Sequana Vineyards Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands
92 points
The nose screams delicious Pinot Noir. Bright cherries, lots of rasberries, and some wonderful funky, earthiness and dirt. On the palate, the wine is similar and super concentrated. Very, very young -- but fruit, tannins, and acids are perfectly in balance. This one will last for a long time.
Red
2008 Waterstone Pinot Noir
86 points
On the nose, baked tart cherries, some vanilla and oak, some nutmeg and allspice. The palate is similar, but with some noticeable heat.
Flight 4 - Big reds (6 notes)
Red
2007 Waterstone Study in Blue
90 points
On the nose, blueberry, blackberry, tobacco, sweet herbs, green herbs, brandy. On the palate, the fruit is opulent -- with the Syrah really coming out strong, along with the black pepper and meat one would expect on a syrah. Strong tannins, nice acidity. A fun wine.
Red
2007 Benessere Sangiovese
84 points
On the nose, ripe plums and blackberries, along with some prunes and raisins. And some oak. On the palate, noticeable heat. Not nearly enough juiciness for a sangiovese. For the price, would make for a good house red.
Red
2007 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
92 points
Right away, this cab smells beautiful. Opens with restrained black currant and blackberry, dark cherry, blueberry, and some lavender and other great floral notes. On the palate, nice acid, soft tannin. I revisited this wine two hours later, and it was still quite impressive. A delicious wine!
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Red
2005 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon
86 points
On the nose, tobacco, cigar box, cedar, restrained black currant and blackberry, some anise. On the palate, the wine shows surprising age for an '05 -- very muted fruits, lots of tertiary flavors. Huge tannins that last much longer than the fruit. When I revisted this wine two hours later, most of the fruit was gone.
Red
2006 Benessere Phenomenon
86 points
Dense nose of sweet cherries, blackberry, vanilla, nutmeg, oak -- and unfortunately, a hint of VA. Similar palate, with a bit of heat at the back end.
Red
2009 Bodega Colomé Malbec Estate
86 points
On the nose, stewed berries, tart cherries, black fruits, coffee, tar, and tobacco. On the palate, some green pepper that wasn't obvious on the nose. And disappointingly, the acid and tannins seem a bit disjointed.
Flight 5 - Bigger reds (4 notes)
Red
2009 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel Gilsson Vineyard
87 points
On the nose, spicy fruits, blackberries, vanilla, smoke, and pie crust. On the palate, the fruits seem overripe with some raisiny notes.
Red
2007 Benessere Zinfandel Holystone-Collins Old Vines
87 points
On the nose, cherry rhubarb pie, blackberries, spicy fruits, sage, and wild herb. The palate is the same, but the alcohol is out of balance -- an unpleasant vodka note sneaks out at the end.
Red
2008 Benessere Zinfandel Estate Black Glass
86 points
On the nose, cherry vanilla coke, overripe black fruits, some black pepper. On the palate, some nice front-of-mouth acidity -- but the way too many notes of prune juice.
Red
2008 Peter Lehmann Shiraz Barossa
87 points
On the nose, blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream, blackberry, plum, some tobacco, and some spice. On the palate, the oak monster comes out strong, which is disappointing, as otherwise, this is a very solid Aussie Shiraz.