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WIMPS USA Lunch
The Ledbury, London
Tasted January 29, 2009 by reichken with 547 views
Introduction
The monthly WIMPS Lunch series tried US wines today. The Food was excellent as always, Manu's wine service was impeccable and the wines showed great. these lunches have become a real pleasure to attend, great food, great wines and really generous company. Bring on the next one
Flight 1 (4 notes)
Lasagna of Rabbit with Wild Mushrooms
White
2007 Scholium Project The Prince In His Caves Farina
85 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury- cloudy clearly unfiltered wine, on first whiff a touch o grapefruit juice but the really just smelled like peach blinni. viscous in the mouth, and really fruity flavor, medium length. the acidity seems to be missing
never would have guessed this was Sauvignon Blanc
never would have guessed this was Sauvignon Blanc
Red
2000 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
91 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury- clear light purple colored wine, lovely nose of a sweet spicy red fruit pinot with a little creaminess. smooth in the mouth,still very youthful and mostly primary fruits in the mouth. med acidity and medium length. i liked this very much
Red
2001 Etude Pinot Noir Estate Carneros
90 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury- smell of strawberries and a touch of spiceness. in the mouth young red fruits with just a touch of bitterness at the edge. med length and med acidity. very good balance
White
2005 Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay Director's Cut
89 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury - lemon yello with a gold tint, med high acidity, slightly buttery/woody cali chard. was nice drink but i like my whites with a little more minerality
Flight 2 (2 notes)
Braised SHoulder of Hare with Pumpkin Seeds, Juniper, Pepper and Orange (What a great Course!!!!)
Red
1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
92 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury- Still a dark color to this wine, a nose of purple fruits with a lovely edge of mint and eucalyptus. Tastes of dark berries with a hint of spice, not very heavy wine, really nice dry tanins. this wine was great in the mouth, nice fruit, crisp, dry, med length. i really liked it
Red
1999 Joseph Swan Vineyards Zinfandel Mancini Ranch
89 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury- Dark opaque wine not showing its age, jammy fruity nose to it. i always struggle a bit with zins as i tend to think they are a bit too jammy, this one however had good balance to it, still very fruity with a little bit of xmas spice around the edges, not too long and a very pleasant drink
Flight 3 (3 notes)
Braised Shoulder Lamb with Truffle Cream Potato and Buttered Celery
Red
1986 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
94 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury - slight lightening around edges of a garnet wine, a still primary fruit nose with a good touch of mint and eucalyptus. classic old style california. very complete mouth feel and flavor with much fruit and a touch of ainise. med acidity, long finish, really felt like it was just entering its drinking window and could stay at this level for a while. really well made wine
Red
2002 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 30th Anniversary Edition Gravelly Meadow
91 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury- Purple dark wine, a cherry nose with a bit of zing to it, big in the mouth, very vibrant and full, this wine really had a lot going on, dark fruits, crisp acidity, a bit of warmth and very long
it was fun to drink now but i bet this will just get better and better
it was fun to drink now but i bet this will just get better and better
Red
1982 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow
92 points
WIMPS USA Lunch @ The Ledbury - dark wine, (surprised from a bottle this age) on the nose it had some stones and earth but surprisingly still some young dark red fruits. very well balanced on the mouth , a touch of fruit leading to some secondary earthy flavors ..med acidity and good long finis, well balanced. this wine is probably at its peak but it was giving a lot today and i think it will stay there for a while
Closing
There was also a blind red from Klein Constantia that was a Cab/Shiraz/Viognier Blend that tey make and sell via france that was interesting to try and a very good wine and lowell also was generous and shared some of the fantastic Klein sweet wines with our pudding. delicious and unique