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Bachelor party
Napa Valley, CA
Tasted April 8, 2017 by aagrawal with 281 views
Flight 1 - Limo wines (4 notes)
All of these were pretty solid, drinkable wines!
White - Sparkling
N.V. Gruet Winery Brut Blanc de Noirs
88 points
Nice, clean, refreshing, some autolysis and yeast, slightly sweet with dosage. Lovely value, clean and fresh. 88
Red
2004 Château Poujeaux
86 points
Double decanted, a good amount of sediment for its age. Medium youthful ruby; nose is moderately aromatic, red fruit, some earthy bordeaux character; palate is medium bodied, integrated medium tannin, simple red fruit, lacks depth through the midpalate; finish is medium length. Entry level, not bad but not remarkable. 86
Red
2005 Turley Zinfandel Cedarman
88 points
Light ruby, moderate bricking appropriate for its age; nose is moderately aromatic, plenty of red fruit, a bit thin for Turley, slight spice; palate fleshes out to a moderate bodied palate, integrated light tannin, nice light red fruit, medium to medium-plus acid; medium finish. Lighter than a normal Turley but also arguably better balanced. 87-88
Red
2015 Decoy Pinot Noir
89 points
Light ruby; moderately aromatic, red fruit; palate is light bodied, light red fruit, medium acid, nice balance; medium finish. 88-90
Flight 2 - Ceja (6 notes)
Some of these were quite nice, better than expected but also kind of pricey. I think the Merlot was quite good, as was the sweet wine.
White
2014 Ceja Sauvignon Blanc
89 points
Lemon-gold; aromatic, tropical fruit, pineapple; palate is medium bodied, nice richness, well made, medium alcohol; medium finish. 89-90
Red
2011 Ceja Pinot Noir
87 points
Light ruby; nose is fairly aromatic, spicy, ripe red fruits; palate is light bodied, red fruit, light tannin, nice acidity; medium finish. Nice balance with character, but overpriced. 87
Red
2012 Ceja Vino de Casa
82 points
A bit reductive; simple, pleasant, light tannins, good fruit. Everyday red. 80-83
Red
2011 Ceja Merlot
87 points
Spicy, red fruit, a little chocolate; palate is medium to full bodied, smooth, red fruit, slightly hollow midlalate; medium finish. 87-88 This bottle was open for a day and was better than a fresh bottle that they opened right at the end of the tasting.
Red
2009 Ceja Cabernet Sauvignon
84 points
A bit of heat, ripe red fruits but a bit light; palate is full bodied, full tannins, a bit lacking in fruit; short to medium finish. Lacking for me. 84-85
White - Sweet/Dessert
2009 Ceja Dulce Beso
91 points
From a 375. Golden orange color; aromatic, orange marmalade; palate is full bodied, significant sweetness, apricot, some botrytis, very nice, slightly cloying; medium-full bodied. Very nice. 90-91
Flight 3 - Smith Madrone (5 notes)
As always, the wines were a treat. All good...
White
2014 Smith-Madrone Riesling
90 points
Light lemon-yellow; nose is aromatic, white fruit; palate is light to medium bodied, peach and pear fruit, dry, nice fruit, medium acidity, nice balance; medium finish. 90
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White
2014 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay
91 points
Smoky, stony, very nice; palate is full bodied, ripe white fruit, nice body, smooth; medium finish. Lovely. 90-91
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Red
2013 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
Medium-deep ruby; nose is medium aromatic, black fruit, medium-plus tannins, needs time, medium-plus acidity; medium finish. Nice. 90-91
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Red
2009 Smith-Madrone Cook's Flat Reserve
91 points
Medium aromatics, black fruit; palate is medium bodied, black fruit, smooth tannin, medium acid, nice; finish is medium length. Nice, but pricey. 91
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White
2016 Smith-Madrone Riesling
91 points
Open for 1 week prior to tasting. Aromatic, peach, lovely fruit; medium bodied, wonderful medium acidity, great wine; medium finish. Lovely wine. 90-92. 91
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Flight 4 - Dinner (1 note)
Dinner was at E&O Asian Kitchen
White
2015 Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling
85 points
Yellow color; moderate aromatics, white fruit; palate is off-dry, medium alcohol, white fruit, a tad cloying; short finish. Not bad, but not great. 85