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TTTG
Brian's House
Tasted May 28, 2015 by WMWG with 449 views
Introduction
The Theme was Old World / New World Pinot Noir highlighting well-known OR producers (and one IPOB) and value Burgundies.
Flight 1 - Starter (1 note)
This was selected in response to some recent chatter about the quality of this brut rose, some of which suggested that this is the best domestic sparkler being made right now. We found it awkward and unappealing.
Rosé - Sparkling
2009 Soter Brut Rosé Mineral Springs Ranch
82 points
Dark strawberry and candied tones on the nose and entry, very fruit forward. The fruit dissipates rapidly in the middle to reveal a bitterly thin backside that carries through the short finish. This gives the illusion of strong acidity at the front but it gets washed out by the fleshy body in the middle. I really expected more out of this but came away with the impression of a manipulated wine.
Average
Average
Flight 2 - Value Producers of the Cote de Beaune (2 notes)
Red
2005 Domaine Jean-Marc / Thomas Bouley Volnay Vieilles Vignes
90 points
A gorgeous nose that developed over the evening; starting out showing pretty violet and floral notes, turning later to earthy, leathery, and spiced notes. This was generous on the palate with a slightly drying backside; beautifully elegant, if not slightly warm on the finish. My WOTN – Another winner from this domaine.
Very Good to Excellent – Drink or Hold
Very Good to Excellent – Drink or Hold
Red
2005 Domaine Rodolphe Demougeot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets
86 points
Rustic nose and palate showing a sappy red-fruited core that was complimented by slightly sweet sprucey and stemmy notes. A sturdy, well-balanced wine and terrific expression of the vineyard this is grown in. This is a workhorse that pairs well with heavier dishes. Medium finish.
Good to Very Good – Drink or Hold
Good to Very Good – Drink or Hold
Flight 3 - Darlings of Oregon Pinot Noir (2 notes)
DDLC is a recently heralded Central Coast pinot producer and centerpiece of the IPOB movement. I've had issues with its quality in the past and wanted to see how it would fair in a blind tasting with some peers at a similar price point.
Red
2010 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Belle Pente Vineyard
84 points
Very ripe, lush fruit showing teased, stemmy notes surrounded by rhubarb and cherry cola. While this shows these trademark WV characteristics, it is certainly not over the top. Very rustic and a bit coarse. A good effort for those who prefer this style.
Good – Drink or Hold
Good – Drink or Hold
Red
2011 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills
80 points
Similar to my last bottle. Bright red fruit/ pomegranate is framed by a roasted & meaty note that carries through the whole palate. The contrast between these notes causes unpleasant dissonance. I’m perplexed that the fruit comes across as somehow simultaneously ripe and under ripe. The backside features a leafy green streak and some stemmy grip.
Average
Average
Flight 4 - Chassagen-Montrachet Rouge (2 notes)
Red
2009 Blain-Gagnard Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge
91 points
Beautiful earthy tones frame dark cherries and a supporting forest floor note. Very restrained and balanced, this drinks effortlessly and shows great class. The palate shows additional sweet strawberry notes and grainy tannin on the finish, which have begun to lighten.
Very Good
Very Good
Red
2012 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Boudriotte Rouge
Similar to 3a but fresher, sitting on more acids, and showing prominent spruce and pine notes that are placed in front of the dark red fruit and earthy tones on the nose and entry. A sweet underside shows up in the middle where it gives way to the earthier side of the wine on the backside. I would look for this to balance out in the coming years and ultimately be very good, but it seems to be in a strange spot right now - very disjointed. NR
Flight 5 - WS Favorites (2 notes)
While I expected this flight to stick out, I did not expect the wines to show this poorly, given their reputation. Unfortunately, these showed terribly and hadn't gained any ground the following day. My only consolation is that they are no longer in my cellar.
Red
2008 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve
65 points
Warm, ripe and stemmy fruit are apparent on the nose and continue into the palate where cooked dark red fruit and oak prevails underneath a glossy/ syrupy body. On the palate, this came across as vodka-infused cherry cough syrup.
Poor
Poor
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Comment
Red
2009 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Shea Vineyard
59 points
This has completely fallen apart, syrupy mess doesn’t even begin to describe it. Compared to the last bottle I had, a little more than a year ago, this appears to be a completely different wine; dominated by overripe black fruit and alcohol. The former bright grapefruit streak that once gave lift in the middle has devolved into a green, herbal hole in the palate. Really disappointing.
Poor
Poor
Flight 6 - Desert! (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2006 Château Rieussec
87 points
Bright tropical fruit; apricots, peaches, and mangoes underneath a soft honeysuckle note with a hint of vanilla and coconut on the finish. This seems to have lost some of its viscosity and warmth that it had previously exhibited.
Very Good
Very Good
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Closing
I think David's calling this "eclectic" is accurate. Thanks to all for attending.