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Second Sunday Group: 2002 Napa Cabernets
Our house
Tasted August 2, 2015 by AllRed with 600 views
Introduction
The Sunday Group events are a bit different than our other double blind tasting groups. For this group, the hosts select eight wines, served double blind to the rest of the group in one flight. The wines are to be grouped into some sort of theme which can be a loose theme such as Pacific Northwest reds, or something more narrowly focused, such as a vertical of Phelps Insignia. The cost of the tasting is shared by the group. The group spends thirty minutes or so evaluating the wines in the flight trying to determine the theme. Wines are ranked by each taster from 1st to 8th. Votes are tallied as the group offers guesses as to the wines' identity. Wines are revealed from 8th place to 1st place, as ranked by highest points against. Ties are broken in order of 1st place votes, 2nd place votes and so on.
Flight 1 - Warm up Champagnes (2 notes)
Served nonblind.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Jean Laurent Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
A recent purchase, disgorged in October 2003. Apple and roasted almond aromas with a strong sherry overtone. Only a slight bead, with flavors of cashew, sautéed apple and nuts turning to sherry on the finish. Drinkable, but should have been much better. I suspect this bottle had been stored in less than ideal conditions and was more advanced than it should have been.
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Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Michel Arnould & Fils Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé
90 points
Deep pink color with notes of strawberry, melon, apple and potpourri. Medium bead with nice acidity and flavors of red berries, almond, watermelon and apple. Finishes well. 90+ pts.
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Flight 2 - Warm up whites (3 notes)
Served double blind to the group, I believe everyone picked these out as a flight of Sauvignon Blancs and even guessed the Mouton to be a Bordeaux blend.
White
2013 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc
89 points
Aromas of grapefruit, citrus and grass, bordering on jalapeno pepper. The palate follows the bouquet, with sharp acidity. An 'aggressive' Sauv Blanc.
White
2011 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc
91 points
Notes of citrus and grass on the nose and palate. Easy to pick out as Sauv Blanc. The acidity is present, but not aggressive, and there's a richness to the fruit. Finishes well.
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White
2010 Château Mouton Rothschild Aile D'Argent Blanc
92 points
Notes of citrus, lemongrass and mineral with an intriguing smoky undertone. Rich texture, with grass, grapefruit, almond and citrus flavors. Lengthy finish. The most interesting and complex of the three warm ups.
Flight 3 - Red flight (8 notes)
Red
2002 Robert Pecota Cabernet Sauvignon Kara's Vineyard
91 points
Aromas of red berries, currants, cedar and violets- very pretty. Fully-integrated and nicely balanced with flavors of red fruit and spice. Develops aromas of mint and herbs as it sits in the glass. Hints of sandalwood and herbs on the palate. Medium(-) finish. Drinking at peak, I wouldn't hold this beyond 2017.
My #4, Domino's #5
Group #5, 51 pts
My #4, Domino's #5
Group #5, 51 pts
Red
2002 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
Aromas of ripe red currants, black fruit and plum with hints of raisin underneath. Still somewhat tannic, with plum and dark fruit flavors, turning slightly austere through the finish. Develops red fruit qualities as it sits, but remains on the ripe side.
My #7, Domino's #4
Group #6, 57 pts
My #7, Domino's #4
Group #6, 57 pts
Red
2002 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
90 points
Aromas of perfumed florals- lavender and violets- over plum, black currants and red fruit. Plummy dark fruit on the palate leads to vanilla, mint and red fruit. Tannins are soft and fine. 90-91 pts.
My #5, Domino's #6
Group #7, 58 pts
My #5, Domino's #6
Group #7, 58 pts
Red
2002 Stewart Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
Aromas of violets, currants, kirsch and florals with a subtle meaty quality underneath. Has some tannin to integrate yet, but what tannin remains is fine-grained and sweet with an abundance of black fruit underneath. Hints of vanilla and black currants linger on the finish. Well-balanced and long, this is pretty yet has some power too. A very complete wine.
My #2, Domino's #2
Group #1, 28 pts
My #2, Domino's #2
Group #1, 28 pts
Red
2002 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
92 points
Plum, dark fruit and subtle floral notes in the bouquet. Plummy dark fruit on the palate. Opens nicely in the glass, revealing red fruit, ripe plums, chocolate and cherry notes. Tannins are quite soft; flavors of vanilla and red fruit with a long, balanced finish.
My #3, Domino's #3
Group #3, 44 pts
My #3, Domino's #3
Group #3, 44 pts
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Red
2002 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Reserve
75 points
Aromas of bouillon cubes and dark fruit, ripe plum. Overly ripe plum, sour dark fruit and bouillon on the palate.
My #8, Domino's #8
Group #8, 76 pts
My #8, Domino's #8
Group #8, 76 pts
Red
2002 Peju Province Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rutherford
90 points
Aromas of violets, red berry fruit and cedar. Dark fruit on the palate, with some tannin evident. Becomes more perfumed as it sits, developing cherry and lavender qualities on the palate. Nice.
My #6, Domino's #7
Group #4, 47 pts
My #6, Domino's #7
Group #4, 47 pts
Red
2002 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
94 points
Aromas of red fruit and herbs, developing a hint of vanilla and lovely floral notes. Red fruit dominates the palate; long finish. Refined and elegant.
My #1, Domino's #1
Group #2, 35 pts
My #1, Domino's #1
Group #2, 35 pts
Flight 4 - Dinner/dessert wines (8 notes)
Nonblind.
Red
1962 Château Montrose
88 points
Courtesy of Marty, this had an initial note of wet hay/brettanomyces that faded with time, leaving red currant, cedar and tobacco aromas. Nice weight across the palate, with currants, mushroom and tobacco flavors.
Red
2000 Domaine Arlaud Bonnes Mares
94 points
There are no such things as great wines- only great bottles. This was a great bottle. Aromas of iron, red and white currants, Lily of the Valley, wild phlox, forest floor and red berry fruit. I could have smelled this all night and been perfectly happy. Balanced and elegant on the palate, with softened acidity and flavors of red fruit, macerated cherry, mushroom, iron, mineral and lavender. Long, lingering finish. Superb.
Red
2003 Château La Lagune
92 points
Aromas of roasted meat and dark fruit with a terrific earthy, rustic quality. Dark fruit and earth on the palate. Tannins are starting to soften; balanced with a nice finish.
Red
2005 Château Cos Labory
91 points
Similar to the La Lagune- rustic with dark fruit overtones. Has a slight austerity in the finish.
Red
2012 Château Faugères
90 points
Purple and blue fruit notes, incense and plum. Full-bodied with flavors of blue fruit, violets, plum and earth.
Red
2006 Antonio Vallana e Figlio Gattinara
92 points
Dusty earth, red fruit and rose petal notes. Red berry and florals on the palate. Softened acidity with a medium+ finish.
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Red
2012 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary
88 points
Inky purple color with notes of black fruit, cassis, plum and coffee. Flavors of over-ripe plum, blackberry and currant liqueur. 88-89 pts.
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White - Sweet/Dessert
1989 Château Rieussec
93 points
Notes of apricot, pineapple and tropical fruit. Rich texture with flavors of pineapple, honey, tropical fruit and botrytis spices. Long finish.