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A Labor of Love (and wine and beer)
Our home
Tasted September 1, 2014 by Loren Sonkin with 715 views
Introduction
My wife and I decided to have a bunch of people over to celebrate the Labor day holiday weekend. We invited a collection of wine geeks and non-geeks over. We have a lot of friends from various areas and its nice to cross pollinate these friendships. In all, about 24 people were there. As it was humid out with occasional rain, we stayed indoors. The geeks brought wine, everyone brought food and we opened a bunch more wine from our cellar.
It was a nice mix of wines. I really enjoyed comparing all the different Grenaches (US, France, Spain, Italy) as well as some of the more obscure varietals offered. Most of the bottles got drained, but there is still some wine left to revisit today. Oh, and there was a lot of beer too.
Mostly, it was a great day spent laughing with friends, listening to stories and just enjoying this hobby.
Flight 1 (38 notes)
White
2013 Hayfork Grenache Blanc Kenefick Ranch
91 points
We have drunk a few bottles of this during the summer. I think I will finish my last bottle this month. As much as I like this wine, I am not sure its going to get better. I love the vibrancy and zip. Gold green in color. The nose is very nice with minerals and some pears. Nice texture.
White - Off-dry
2000 Trimbach Pinot Gris Hommage a Jeanne
92 points
Very nice showing. This is a deep gold color which had me worried, but there is still plenty of life here. I assume it drank differently in its youth. It reminds me of what would be a totally dry sauternes. Oranges, a bit of honey with a slightly bitter orange peel on the finish. Fun wine, food friendly.
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White
2012 Matthiasson White Wine
92 points
This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Ribolla Gialla, Semillon, and Friulano. My first time trying this wine. Green gold in color. The nose is all about minerals, but there is some tropical fruit and lemons as well. Great texture. Very soft and smooth and easy to drink. A tart acidity at the end is welcomed.
Rosé
2013 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Rubentis
90 points
A wine I like year in and out. Salmon pink in color. The nose has nice strawberries. Still a good amount of spritz on it. Tart red berries on the palate. Refreshing and easy to drink. There is also some depth here.
Red
2006 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée
94 points
Great showing for this bottle. I might even go up a point. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has earthy funk, slight barnyard, Raspberries and Herbs de Provence. Complex and layered, while still youthful, this is getting close to mature. Certainly no hurry, but worth checking in on. Soft tannins. Long finish. One of the crowd favorites.
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Red
2009 Saxum James Berry Vineyard
98 points
This was from Magnum. I opened it the night before, poured out a couple of ounces, and let it sit uncorked in the cellar for 18 hours. The first night, it was good, but there is a port like quality to the nose. Maybe a 94 point wine, but not for everyone. By the next day it had smoothed out and even the Burg guys in the room liked it (maybe not as much as the rest of us). The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, a bit of game meat and a slight floral note. Firm tannins. Lots of depth. Great texture. No sign of alcohol. Long finish. Easily a crowd favorite and finished off early.
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Red
2012 SonkinCellars Persona
Coming fresh off our WA93 rating, I opened this the night before so it had 18 hours to breathe. A nice chance to share it with friends as it is not yet released (Oct. 7). Of course, I am biased but this is very smooth. Although it has the stuffing I believe to last, this is approachable now. The nose has black raspberries, earthy tones, crushed cherries and black pepper. On the palate, this is more about dark fruits. Black raspberries. 14.5% alcohol, I get no heat. I am happy.
Red
2005 Marcella Giuliani Cesanese Alagna Frusinate IGT
87 points
This was interesting. Most people enjoyed it, but one woman refused to drink it as she said it was either moldy or mildew. I kind of get what she was saying but I didn't have an issue. The interesting thing was this woman LOVES barnyard in wines, so it wasn't that. This probably should have been drunk up a few years ago. The nose has some cherries on it. On the palate, more like red berries. I compared it to a chianti, but with more polish but less depth and less acidity. Interesting and the best Cesanese grape wine I can remember drinking. ;-)
Red
1998 Château La Grave a Pomerol Trigant de Boisset
92 points
This was allowed to breath for a few hours and then decanted for sediment. I really liked it and thought it should well. This was bought on release and laid in my cellar since then. The nose has a great Bordeaux funk to it. Lovely. Also some dried cherries and spice. On the palate, this is fresher than the nose might lead one to believe. Nice cherry fruit, a bit of tobacco. Some complexity and layering. Nice balance. Long finish. Good showing for this affordable Pomerol.
Red
2012 SonkinCellars Unmasked
So this was fresh off its 89 WA rating. It was nice to see who liked it and why. It is made mostly from Halcon fruit with some other fruit too. It is made in a not quite AFWE style but we certainly were going for the mineral driven, northern Rhone if you will, Cote Rotie style while still being from CA. I like it. This bottle was open for 18 hours prior to the party. The nose has boysenberries, some bacon fat, black olives and black pepper. On the palate, there is a nice streak of acidity which makes it food friendly. Medium tannins. I look forward to watching this develop as I think it has 15 years easy in it. For the record, the crowd preferred the Persona about 2:1. I really enjoyed listening to the geeks and non-geeks tell me why they preferred one of the other.
Red
2004 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barbaresco Vürsù Vigneto Starderi
92 points
At ten years from vintage, this is still youthful. The nose has a fair amount of fresh cut oak but also plenty of cherries, some tar and some vanilla. Medium bodied. The palate is still developing with cherries, oak and strong tannins. Very modern, well made and everything this wine is supposed to be. I think its best days are ahead.
Red
2011 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
93 points
I really liked this wine, but I can see why for some it disappoints compared to other vintages. This is drinking really well right now. Perhaps the oak is a bit heavy handed for the fruit, but for some that was ok. For me, it comes across more as chocolaty than fresh wood splinters and I didn't mind it. Purple ruby in color. The nose is cassis and dark chocolate shavings, with a bit of liqueur. On the palate, this is drinking easily, cassis with some light tannins. I don't think this makes old bones, but I found it lovely and delicious now.
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Red
2005 Paradigm Cabernet Franc
91 points
Very nice showing for this wine. Ruby in color. The nose has cherries with some tobacco. Nothing green on this wine. It shows some complexity and seems to be at peak. Lovely texture. Nice cherry fruit. Nice balance. Not over the top either.
Red
2011 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
94 points
Another wine that I get why people are disappointed with after coming off the perfect 2012 vintage. I loved this wine. It drinks like a really nice Bordeaux if you forgive the expression. The nose has cassis, a hint of bell pepper, and some forest floor notes. On the palate, this shows depth with a nice texture. It is accessible now with light tannins. Perhaps it doesn't age out forever, but I think a decade easily. It will never be a ripe Napa Cab like many prior years, but this should be a great complex wine with some time. YMMV.
Red
2005 Kapcsándy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon State Lane Vineyard
96 points
A real treat to drink this wine as its been a couple of years. It is in a great place right now. This is drinking like a great older Napa Cab. The nose is deep with cassis, pencil lead, and even some black licorice. Complex and layered, this is not at peak but already showing lots of nuances. Great balance. Long finish. Everything you could hope for this wine to be.
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White
2013 Dirty and Rowdy Sémillon
89 points
My first time trying this winery. Very nice take on Semillon. More Aussie than old world. Yellow gold in color. The nose has a fair amount of tropical fruit. Lush. It is light bodied and easy to drink. Chad, who brought it, said it was a go to wine for him for just chilling out with. Sounds like a nice way to end the work day. There is about half the bottle left, so I am looking forward to seeing how it developed with some air.
White
2012 Navarro Vineyards Gewürztraminer Estate Bottled Dry
92 points
Easily the best vintage of this I can remember. This is in a beautiful place right now. Light golden in color. The nose is gorgeous. Lychees and slight minerality. Slightly oily medium bodied texture. Lots of tropical fruit and depth. Going back later in the night, there is a nice complexity here. No doubt this will age for a long time. Great balance.
Rosé
2012 Ousterhout Wine Pinot Noir Rosé
89 points
Vibrant pink in color. The nose has lots of watermelon. On the palate, there is a light cherry juice quality. This is very smooth and easy to drink. Nice. I would drink these up sooner though.
White
2005 Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Arbois Vin Jaune En Spois
92 points
This was really cool. A very different wine, not for everyone, I loved it. Golden in color. The nose is oxidized but at the same time had a fresh quality to it. Whereas Sherry might have an oxidized nose and alcohol, this was less oxidized and light on its feet. This has a smoky, nutty quality to it. There is some hint of dried fruits as well. Complex on the palate. Quite smooth, no bite. Went great with cheeses.
Red
1999 Shafer Relentless
94 points
Really drinking well right now. This bottle got emptied quickly. These take a decade to come around and at age 15, its really hitting its stride. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, blueberries, some dried fruits as well. Slight charred oak quality. Everything seems integrated on the palate. Good acidity. Long finish. Yes, its a shame how pricey these have gotten, but it is a great wine.
Red
2005 Sorada Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
I was told this was corked. I don't think so, so I assume it was just quite dusty when opened. By the time I got to it, it was nice. The nose is very dusty (Rutherford?) with cherries and some heavy use of oak. It does have a great texture. The palate also shows some oak but also some nice cherries. A lot of oak/heat on the finish. Some will love this wine more than I. For me, it just is over oaked. It is s till a very good wine, but perhaps it might have been even better. I doubt the fruit outlasts the oak.
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Comments (1)
Red
2006 Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Beaune 1er Cru Cent-Vignes
91 points
This has a Rosenthal Selection label on the back. It is a very nice Burg that is in a great place right now. Ruby in color. The nose has very nice cherries with a slight clove note. Medium bodied. On the palate, still vibrant fruit. Starting to show some development. Falls slightly on the finish. I think this has plenty of time to still develop. Seems a bit more upfront than some Burgs, which to me is a good thing.
White
2012 Bailiwick Wines Vermentino
89 points
Another new winery for me. Nice to see this varietal being made well in CA. The nose has citrus and especially quince. An oily texture. It does fall a bit flat on the finish. Still, it is a very nice wine. I am told it is under $20 which is a very nice QPR. Screw capped.
Red
1984 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature
88 points
This was decanted for sediment, then drunk. So sure, its past prime, but it was fun. A 30 year old Cal Cab. Purple in color. The nose shows better than the palate. Cassis and bit of dust and chocolate. On the palate, most of the fruit has faded but there is still some cherry fruit. There are layers of saddle leather, forest floor and tea. Nice balance. Impressive showing.
Red
2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Zinfandel Stellwagen
92 points
Great showing. This is one producer whose Zins can last. This still seems youthful. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has some bramble to it. Also raspberries and black raspberries. On the palate, this has a nice complexity. Great texture. Long finish. Really an excellent wine.
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Red
2009 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Garnacha Campo de Borja
91 points
This is the one that got 100 points from Parker. I have liked this wine for a long time, but I never got that close. The nose has sweet cherry fruit. On the palate, there is a nice cherry jam quality. There is a lot of oak here and I find it distracting. There is a ton of fruit, so perhaps it integrates at some point. Heat on the finish. While perhaps not a 100 pointer for me, it still is an excellent wine and quite enjoyable.
Red
2008 Duckhorn Vineyards The Discussion
93 points
My first time trying this. I believe it is a Bordeaux blend. Very nice wine. While still young, it shows a nice complexity already. The nose has cassis, lots of cherries and a bit of tobacco. Layered on the palate, there is still a lot of fruit and tannins suggesting further development. Nice balance. Long finish.
1 person found this helpful
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Red
2006 Argiolas Turriga Isola dei Nuraghi IGT
94 points
A blend of Cannonnau (Grenache) and a few other grapes from Sardinia. Really interesting nose of clack cherries and fresh herbs; parsley sage, rosemary and thyme (actually the first three but not Thyme, but I couldn't resist). This was opened later and I look forward to trying it today. It seemed to be tightly packed but had a lot of stuffing. Nice balance. As it unwound in my glass it kept changing and was very intriguing. Complex yet still a lot of fruit.
Red
1990 Dante Rivetti Barbaresco Bricco de Neueis Riserva
90 points
Nice to drink something with age on it. Also a new producer for me. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose has nice cherries, dried cherries, dried floral and perhaps some dusty asphalt road. Medium bodied. This does seem past prime, but still some good cherry fruit and some dried cherries. Tannins seem integrated. Nice acidity. Long finish.
Red
2005 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch
90 points
Ridge Zins hold up. This one has lost its Zin like qualities and drinks more like a Bordeaux to me at this point. The nose has cherries, tobacco and some earthiness. Good balance. Nice cherry fruit on the palate. Lots of layering going on. Nice finish.
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Red
2005 Showket Vineyards Asante Sana
88 points
This was a new winery although I have had Bevan's wines from here. This was not at that level, but a nice wine. A nose of cassis. One the palate, cassis and some saddle. Nice texture. Very solid wine if not great.
Red
2005 Pine Ridge Vineyards Andrus Reserve
93 points
Great showing for this wine. It was well received by the crowd despite being opened late. The nose has cassis, dust and dark cherries. Great balance. A bit of earthiness. Cassis and earthy on the palate. Great texture. Long finish.
Red
2012 SonkinCellars Persona
So, not everyone got some of this, so we opened a second bottle. This was pnp and not as open. Still, I find this quite smooth. There is more upfront fruit on the nose at this point, but the palate is not as complex or developed as the one with 18 hours of air. I guess it depends on how you like them, but I think it needs some air.
Red
2002 Château Valandraud
93 points
This was a treat. for whatever reason, there is still a glass or two left in the bottle that I look forward to tonight. This is a mature Bordeaux. The nose has cassis, cherries, chocolate and some leather. On the palate, the oak seems integrated. Complex layers of fruit and earth and leather. Long finish. A really excellent mature Bordeaux.
Red
2005 School House Pinot Noir
91 points
One of the first bottles opened and still half left. I guess it got lost in the shuffle. Too bad. This is a more delicate Pinot that was drinking beautifully. Pale cherry in color. The nose has cherries, a bit of earth and a slight funk. On the palate, vibrant cherries, some earth and slight oak. Nice finish. Food friendly with a nice acidity.
Red
2006 Domaine René Leclerc Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St. Jacques
90 points
Opened late. This was bought on release from that great sale at Dee Vine ($23). It is drinking quite well right now. Pale ruby in color. The nose has cherries and a bit of funk. Medium bodied. Nice cherry fruit on the palate. I know some found Brett at the time, but this bottle is clean. Nice finish. A very pretty Burg.
Red
2010 Black Cat Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
92 points
This was really nice. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has blueberries, black currants, spice. Medium silky tannins. On the palate, this is drinking young but well. It is not over the top but plenty of fruit with a nice backbone of acidity. Lush texture. Long finish. This seems like it should age for at least a decade, probably much more.
Red - Fortified
1994 Graham Porto Vintage
94 points
From a 375 and opened late. It needs some air but in the glass it starts to open and show its stuff. The nose is raspberry and milk chocolate. A bit of raisin. On the palate, this is sweet raspberry fruit with some dark chocolate. A bit of alcohol. Drinking well at this point but still plenty of time. Smooth finish.
Closing
In addition to the wines, the following beers were shared and tasted:
2013 Thirsty Dog brewing Twelve Dogs of Christmas Barrel Aged (Bottle 223/999) 1.5 Liter
Alesmith Speedway Stout
Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers
Chimay Ale Grand Reserve (Blue Label)
Sneaky Pete IPA
Sprecher Commando Scotch style Ale
Ten Fidy Imperial Stout
Finch's Beer Co Threadless IPA
Hoppin Frog Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale
Southern Tier Crème Broulee
PJ Rockers Son of a Peach Wheat Ale
Dogfish Head Noble Rot
As I always say, the best part of these parties is spending time with friends. A close second is watching all of our friends meet new friends and establish new friendships. Oh, and the wine and beer aren't too shabby either.