David Ramey Wine Dinner at Vincent's in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN
Tasted November 30, 2006 by lars1014 with 485 views
Introduction
This was a wine event hosted by Craig and David Ramey at Vincen'ts in downtown Minneapolis, MN. This was an evening where the white wines and the white wine courses outperformed the reds and red courses. Dave and Steve provided great commentary and conversation during this evening of great wine and full bodied opinioins on everything to oak treatment in Chardonnays to his global contemporaries.
Flight 1 - Meet and Greet (1 note)
Besides having to stand around for 45mins without wine, it is always a pleasure to meet up with Dave, Steve, and Craig.
White
2004 Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
This wine shows nicely with a light gold and green in color with the wine contains notes of green apple, smoke, vanilla, and soft spices. In the mouth this wine's vibrant acidity shows nicely. The oak is more pronouned on the pallet than in the nose with hints of carmel, apple, and citrus peel particularly of lemon and orange. 90pts.
Flight 2 (2 notes)
Pan Seared Skate Wings with Fingerling Potatoes, Leeks, and Citrus Broth
White
2004 Ramey Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Very tight in the nose but flavors of citurs and spring flowers dominate. Bright bracing acidity gives structure to waves of green apples, lemon, and orange carry light on the pallet with an excellent 35+ second finish.
White
2004 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
This wine is much more flamboyant than the Ritchie with notes of chalk, lemon, and vanilla. In the mouth this wine is something akin to an alcohol infused lemon peppered with cardamom and mint. This is tasty stuff for immediate consumption.
Flight 3 (1 note)
Poached Guinea Fowel Breast, Mushrooom and Truffle Risotto, Chestnut Broth
Red
2004 Ramey Claret
USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red and purple in color. Smells of dark red fruits cherry, blackberry, chalk, and limestone grab you. The wine seemed a little hot and very young. This is somewhat monolithic, primary with searing tannins at this point in its youth. However, there is much going on underneath the heavy cloak of fruit and tannin.
Flight 4 (2 notes)
Beef Tenderloin Studded with Black Olive Braised Chuck, Flageolet Beans, Roasted Tomatoes
Red
2004 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Larkmead Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley
A nose of intense fruits but smoother than the Pedrigal. Scents of ripe red fruits, chalk, tobacco, espresso, and a hint of minerals seduce the taster’s nose. It is a Paulliac look-a-like (with much heavier fruit content). I imagine that this wine will age nicely for 20+ years.
Red
2004 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
This new bottling from David Ramey is going to turn some heads around the globe. Why? Well the firmly structured fruit is apparent the moment the wine is poured with black and blueberry, coffee, and pencil lead with rocking levels glycerin and fat. The wine was bottled in April and it probably has yet to settle down from this transition. This was a treat from David Ramey, which will have a long life best from 2010-2025+.
Flight 5 (0 notes)
Baked Honey Crisp Apples, Cinnamon Creme Brulee, Warm Cider Broth
Closing
My co-tasters were put on their heels from the reds. The consensus, if there was one, was that the reds were so big and so young that they were difficult to asses. The wines were very primary, very tannic, and only bottled six months ago. If you were going to drink these wines in the next five years I would suggest heavy decanting. The whites were singing and got rave reviews around the table. Good food, great company, and outstanding wines was the mantra of this evening.
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