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Blind Tasting Trio: California Reds, interpret as you will
Tasted February 11, 2022 - February 12, 2022 by Rbhan12 with 87 views
Introduction
The Three Musketeers regroup for another round of blind tasting. The theme was "California Red" to be interpreted at discretion. Paired with chuck steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.
Flight 1 (5 notes)
Red
2019 Wine Access Cabernet Sauvignon Commission
91 points
Part of a blind tasting, slow ox in bottle for two hours. This was WOTN (besting Duckhorn Merlot 17, Coho Merlot 16, Claudine Oakville CS 16, Caterwaul CS Napa Valley 19).
Was absolutely singing on pour. Lots of red fruit and earthy complexity on the nose. Palate had layers of fruit that was wide open. Finish showed some good tannic structure and acid that mellowed with a few more minutes in the glass.
After being open for 4-5h the wine somewhat fell apart. Lost a lot of power and structure.
Drink now with a short decant, but drink within 2-3 hours.
Was absolutely singing on pour. Lots of red fruit and earthy complexity on the nose. Palate had layers of fruit that was wide open. Finish showed some good tannic structure and acid that mellowed with a few more minutes in the glass.
After being open for 4-5h the wine somewhat fell apart. Lost a lot of power and structure.
Drink now with a short decant, but drink within 2-3 hours.
2 people found this helpful
Comments (1)
Red
2019 Caterwaul Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
91 points
Part of a blind tasting, slow ox in bottle for two hours. This was my T-2 for the night (2nd place behind WineAccess Commission 2019, other wines were Duckhorn Merlot 17, Coho Merlot 16, Claudine Oakville CS 16).
Very consistent with my prior experience. Deep, dark, rich, can't miss this as Napa cabernet. Arguably too dense and extracted for my palate, but needs some time for the layers to crack open.
Have to say, this wine kept strong for 4-5 hours in the glass and open bottle, whereas some others just faded away completely. Suggests some structure and aging potential here.
Very consistent with my prior experience. Deep, dark, rich, can't miss this as Napa cabernet. Arguably too dense and extracted for my palate, but needs some time for the layers to crack open.
Have to say, this wine kept strong for 4-5 hours in the glass and open bottle, whereas some others just faded away completely. Suggests some structure and aging potential here.
1 person found this helpful
Comment
Red
2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley
91 points
Part of a blind tasting, this was my T2 for the night (tied with Caterwaul CS NV 2019, beat by WineAccess Commission 2019, other wines were Coho Merlot 16, Claudine Oakville CS 16).
Needed a few hours to really open up and show its stuff, but once it did, wow. This is a lovely Merlot. Floral, elegant, ethereal on the nose. Beautiful red fruits. Very delicate and intricate. Palate has so much tension and energy, lots of lovely acid, rocky mineral character, some tannins too. Finish was true to Merlot, the red fruit tailed off but the rocky-chalky character persisted for awhile, little bit of flowers too.
Didn't love this up front but as the night went on and this opened up, it became a stunner.
Drink now with a 2-3 hour decant or hold for 3-5 years.
Needed a few hours to really open up and show its stuff, but once it did, wow. This is a lovely Merlot. Floral, elegant, ethereal on the nose. Beautiful red fruits. Very delicate and intricate. Palate has so much tension and energy, lots of lovely acid, rocky mineral character, some tannins too. Finish was true to Merlot, the red fruit tailed off but the rocky-chalky character persisted for awhile, little bit of flowers too.
Didn't love this up front but as the night went on and this opened up, it became a stunner.
Drink now with a 2-3 hour decant or hold for 3-5 years.
2 people found this helpful
Comments (1)
Red
2016 Coho Merlot Michael Black Vineyard
90 points
Part of a blind tasting, came 4/5 for me (other wines were Commission 19, Caterwaul NV CS 19, Claudine Oakville CS 16, Duckhorn Merlot 17).
I was completely fooled when the bag came off, I had no idea that this was a Merlot. That being said, this is layered and complex. Drinks like a Cabernet. Once I knew it was a Merlot, I found the classic tell of the fruit tailing off early in the finish. I recently had the 2014 version of this, which I felt was vastly superior. I think that may have benefitted from more bottle age, so I recommend holding these for more time.
Drink know with a solid 1-2h decant, but feel confident throwing this in the cellar, as there is stuffing to crack open for another 5 years easily.
I was completely fooled when the bag came off, I had no idea that this was a Merlot. That being said, this is layered and complex. Drinks like a Cabernet. Once I knew it was a Merlot, I found the classic tell of the fruit tailing off early in the finish. I recently had the 2014 version of this, which I felt was vastly superior. I think that may have benefitted from more bottle age, so I recommend holding these for more time.
Drink know with a solid 1-2h decant, but feel confident throwing this in the cellar, as there is stuffing to crack open for another 5 years easily.
Red
2016 Claudine Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
Part of a blind tasting, came 5/5 for me (other wines were Commission 19, Caterwaul CS NV 19, Duckhorn Merlot 17, Coho Merlot 16).
This was the rest of the bottle from Coravin. I'm not sure what was happening tonight but this never quite opened up. I found the nose and palate to be a little shy. Over time the fruit turned rich and dark, but for some reason didn't live up to my prior experience. Others in the tasting group felt the same.
Coravin must have altered the wine in some capacity, because this was not the same wine.
This was the rest of the bottle from Coravin. I'm not sure what was happening tonight but this never quite opened up. I found the nose and palate to be a little shy. Over time the fruit turned rich and dark, but for some reason didn't live up to my prior experience. Others in the tasting group felt the same.
Coravin must have altered the wine in some capacity, because this was not the same wine.