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Gibby's Uncorked, Flight III
Gibby's Wine Den, Geneva, IL
Tasted November 16, 2007 by AllRed with 962 views
Introduction
Another tasting held at Gibby's, a local wine shop. The "Flight" series of tastings was designed to allow customers more time and space to talk with the distributors. As such, each 'Flight' is a tasting with only four or five distributors present. wines listed in order tasted at each of the tables.
Flight 1 - Maverick Wine Company (6 notes)
White
2006 Joel Gott Chardonnay Monterey
89 points
Pale color. Aromas of pear, vanilla and minerals. Nice acidity, with flavors of pear, smoke and mineral.
White
2005 Reichsrat Von Buhl Riesling Medium Dry Maria Schneider Jazz
87 points
Much better than the last time I tried this. Notes of slate, mineral, apple blossom and a hint of petrol. The fruit flavors on the palate are light, but carry through the finish. 87+ pts.
Red
2006 Seven Terraces Pinot Noir
88 points
Bright ruby color. Notes of black cherry and plums, with a spice undertone. Flavors of cherry and spice.
Red
2005 Joel Gott Zinfandel California
89 points
Notes of raspberry, jam and pomegranate. On the lighter, elegant side, with a slight jammy edge to the red fruit flavors. Finishes very well.
Red
2005 Apaltagua Envero
88 points
A blend of Carmenere (90%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) from the Apalta Vineyard. Garnet color, with a nice bouquet of earth, loam, herbs and red fruit. Flavors of spicy red fruit, with a mint note on the finish. Very nice.
Red
2005 Four Vines Peasant
89 points
A blend of Mourvedre (40%), Syrah (32%), Grenache (17%), Counoise (7%) and Tannat (4%). Aromas of blackberry and earth, with flavors of mint, blackberry and earth, finishing a bit hot.
Flight 2 - Pure Wine Company (6 notes)
White
2006 Elizabeth Spencer Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino
87 points
Pale color. Aromas of hay and lime zest. Great acidity, with flavors of lime and citrus.
Red
2005 The Other Guys Hey Mambo
85 points
A blend of Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah and Petite Sirah. Garnet color. Notes of plum, red currant and blackberry. Flavors of plum and red currant.
Red
2005 The Other Guys Zinfandel Plungerhead Lodi
85 points
Garnet color. Notes of dusty red fruit and white pepper. Reticent red fruit flavors on the palate.
Red
2005 De Lisio Quarterback
80 points
The blend consists of Syrah (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (27%), Grenache (21%) and Merlot (22%).Very vegetal, with green pepper notes. This carries through on the palate, with hints of red fruit underneath. I don't mind green, but this was way too much.
Red
2005 Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast
87 points
Notes of mocha, cassis and blackberry, with flavors of blackberry and mint.
Red
2005 Peltier Station Petite Sirah
87 points
Deep garnet color. Aromas of earth, plum and blackberry. There's a huge rush of dark fruit on the palate, with velvety tannins. A bit thin through the midpalate, which prevents a higher score.
Flight 3 - Southern Wine & Spirits (6 notes)
White
2005 Hugel Gentil "Hugel"
88 points
Very pale in color. Notes of minerals, spice and white flowers. Flavors of orchard fruit and minerals, with lifting acidity. Quite good for such a modetly priced wine.
White
2005 St. Clement Chardonnay Carneros
88 points
Pale yellow color. Notes of apple, butter and popcorn with flavors of pear, smoke and toast.
Red
2005 Writer's Block Grenache
88 points
Light ruby color. Notes of dusty red fruit and spice. Elegant, with red fruit and cinnamon tones on the palate.
Red
2005 St Hallett Shiraz Faith
90 points
Garnet color. Opens with a charred, roasted meat aroma, followed by dark fruit and oak. Loads of dark fruit on the palate, with velvety tannins and a nice finish. I really like the meaty quality on the bouquet.
Red
2003 Finca Antigua Cabernet Sauvignon La Mancha Crianza
88 points
Garnet color. Meaty plum and dark fruit notes. Well-balanced, with dusty red fruit and herb flavors.
Red
2004 Novelty Hill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
Deep garnet color. Notes of red currant and dark fruit. Nicely balanced, with red fruit and spice tones on the palate.
Flight 4 - Wine Cellars Distribution (5 notes)
White
2007 Niel Joubert Chenin Blanc
87 points
Pale color. Notes of pear and minerals. Flavors of orchard fruit, with a minerally edge on the finish. Nice balance.
White
2004 Poacher's Ridge Marsanne
87 points
pale colro with aromas of smoky orchard fruit. Good balance and acidity, with waxy orchard fruit tones.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Louis Valbray Brut
86 points
Pale yellow color. The mousse dissipates quickly. Aromas of cotton candy and tart apple. Heavy texture, viscous and dense, with waxy pear and apple flavors.
Red
2005 Stonecross Shiraz
87 points
Garnet color. Bright red fruit and herb notes follow through on the palate, lifted by a good level of acidity.
Red
2005 Niel Joubert Pinotage
86 points
Opens with notes of roasted game and red fruit. Flavors of red fruit and herbs on the palate.
Flight 5 - Upper Left Corner Wine Company (6 notes)
White
2006 Fidelitas Sémillon
86 points
Notes of pear and mineral follow through on the palate. Pleasant, if simple.
White
2005 Three Rivers Winery Chardonnay
Aromas of pear, popcorn and toasty oak. The palate follows the bouquet, adding a subtle smoky quality.
White
N.V. Sharpe Hill Ballet of Angels
85 points
A white blend that can contain up to 10 varietals, though predominantly Chardonnay and Vignoles. Aromas of stone fruit follow through on the palate, with decent acidity. Not a bad little quaffer.
Red
2005 Bergevin Lane Calico Red
88 points
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Cab Franc. Garnet color, with aromas of soil, red fruit and blueberry. Flavors of red currant, spice and pepper.
Red
2004 Malvira' Langhe Nebbiolo
90 points
Light ruby to garnet color. Aromas of violets, rose petals and black fruit. Very well-balanced, with great red fruit flavors and a hint of oak on the finish.
Red
2004 Bergevin Lane Cabernet Franc
90 points
89% Cab Franc and 11% Merlot, sourced from the Alder Ridge and Spring Creek Vineyards. Interestingly, the barrels are a mix of 90% French, 8% American and 2% other eastern European, 29% of which were new. Garnet color. Notes of tapenade, red fruit and herbs. Well-balanced, with red fruit and spice flavors on the palate.