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Niche Restaurant Staff Tasting

Niche Restaurant, Geneva, Illinois

Tasted August 18, 2008 by AllRed with 1,045 views

Introduction

Notes listed in the order tasted.

Flight 1 (41 notes)

White - Sparkling
2004 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs Brut USA, California, North Coast
89 points
90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. Lush apple and nutty aromas followed by a hint of caramel. Flavors of apple and citrus, caramel and almond with a nice finish.
White
2006 Trefethen Dry Riesling USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District
87 points
Pale yellow color with notes of apple and mineral. Focused, with flavors of apple and stone with good underlying acidity, and a long, mineral-driven finish. 87-88 pts.
White
2007 Gauthier Select Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Salaal Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County
87 points
Pale color. Aromas of straw and lemon follow through on the palate. Decent finish, dominated by the citrus tones.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Ruinart Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut France, Champagne
90 points
Pale color with a very fine mousse. Notes of citrus, biscuit, toast, and Granny Smith apple. Focused, with subtle toast nuances adding depth to the fruit.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Domaine Chandon Chardonnay Réserve Brut USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma
83 points
95% Chardonnay & 5% Pinot Noir which spent three years on the lees. Very closed bouquet, with just a slight yeasty note detected. Soft texture, with muted fruit flavors.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Domaine Chandon Étoile USA, California
89 points
A blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, aged for 5 years. Pale yellow color. Aromas of roasted nuts and biscuits. Very good texture and weight on the palate, with flavors of baked apples, biscuit and toast. 89-90 pts.
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Domaine Chandon Étoile Rosé USA, California
87 points
Aged for 5 years. Pale copper color. Subtle berry and floral notes. Decent texture, with berry and nut tones on the palate.
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Ruinart Champagne Brut Rosé France, Champagne
88 points
Pale copper color. Notes of berries, strawberry and flowers. Very nice weight and texture on the palate, with berry and floral tones. 88-89 pts.
White - Sparkling
1998 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame France, Champagne
90 points
Pale yellow color. Persistent mousse. Aromas of baked apple, pear and toast. Nice texture, with apple and biscuit flavors that have a tart edge. Finishes nicely, with a subtle minerally tone.
White - Sparkling
N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée France, Champagne
93 points
Pale yellow color. Baked pear, cashew butter and roasted nut aromas. Good texture, with apple, almond, cashew and citrus tones on the palate. Good underlying acidity and a long finish.
White
2007 Melville Viognier Estate Verna's USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
88 points
Pale color with notes of peach and stone fruit. The palate follows the bouquet, picking up a spicy quality on the finish.
White
2006 Logan Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County
86 points
Pale yellow color. Aromas of banana and tropical fruit. Medium bodied, with flavors of butter, apple, popcorn and vanilla.
White
2006 Andrew Rich Roussanne USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
88 points
Pale yellow color with notes of waxy orchard fruit. some reticent, with apple and pear tones.
White
2005 Whitman Cellars Viognier USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Pale color. Muted and muddled, with barely and fruit discernable.
White
2006 EIEIO Chardonnay Cuvée E USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
85 points
Pale yellow color. Slight volatile quality on the nose. Apple and mineral notes on the palate, with a decent finish.
White
2006 EIEIO Chardonnay Cuvée I USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
89 points
Pale yellow color. Notes of apple, oak and stone follow through on the palate. Well-balanced, with a nice finish.
White
2007 John Anthony Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Church Vineyard USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
87 points
Nice fruit with a subtle grassiness. Good.
White
2007 Hall Sauvignon Blanc USA, California, Napa Valley
88 points
Blind wine #1. Very pale color. Floral notes dominate the bouquet. The fruit on the palate is somewhat subdued, with a decorative soap tone. Decent finish, if a bit short. Guessed Viognier.
White
2006 Renard Viognier USA, California, Sonoma County
87 points
Blind wine #2. Very pale color. Aromas of fresh flowers. Subtle stone fruit flavors and good acidity on the palate. Guess: Viognier.
Red
2006 Hahn Pinot Noir SLH USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
90 points
Blind wine #3. Notes of funky black cherry and spice follow through on the palate. Slightly tart on the finish, but well-balanced and pretty tasty. Easy to pick this out as a Pinot.
Red
2005 Barboursville Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon USA, Virginia, Central Virginia, Orange County
89 points
Blind wine #4. Deep ruby color. Notes of red fruit and garrigue.Chewy red fruit and spice tones on the palate. I guessed Grenache.
White
2006 Demetria Viognier Estate USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
89 points
Nice floral tones give way to peach and stone fruit blossom notes. Nice acidity, with peach and mineral tones and a long, fruit-driven finish. 89-90 pts.
Red
2004 WesMar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
87 points
Dusty ruby color. Notes of candied cherries with a subtle spice undertone. The palate follows the nose. Simple, but enjoyable.
Red
2005 Broc Cellars Petite Sirah Dry Stack Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
90 points
Miniscule production of 25 cases. Inky garnet color. Notes of blackberries, blueberry and violets with a subtle earthy udertone. Full-bodied, with intense dark fruit flavors on the palate. Finishes with a nice spicy, oak-tinged dark quality.
Red
2006 Testarossa Pinot Noir Palazzio USA, California, Central Coast
flawed
Ruby color. Initial cherry aroma fades quickly, leaving a dirty sweat sock note that just got worse.
Red
2006 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir La Colline USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley
90 points
Dark ruby color. Aromas of cherries and underbrush. Bright cherry and red fruit flavors, with good underlying acidity. Nicely balanced, with a good finish.
Red
2005 Dierberg Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
90 points
Dark garnet color with aromas of black cherry, spice, cloves and earth. Well-balanced, with flavors of spice and red fruit and a long, elegant finish. Really nice.
Red
2005 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity USA, California, Napa Valley
92 points
Notes of cassis, blackberries and licorice. Chewy tannins are balanced by a wealth of dark fruit. Gains additional comlplexities, herb and earth notes, as it sits in the glass.
Red
2003 Three Rivers Winery Sangiovese Pepper Bridge Vineyard USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
86 points
Muted, with subtle floral and red fruit notes. Good acidity, with dusty red fruit on the palate. Decent, but simple.
Red
2004 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley
92 points
Inky garnet color. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, dusty currant and spice. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and flavors of red currant, dusty black cherry and blackberry. Long finish, with a spicy undertone.
Red
2005 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA, California, Napa Valley
89 points
Inky garnet color. Initially very tight, it expanded greatly in the glass. Notes of licorice, spice, clove and blackberry. Full-bodied with firm tannins and flavors of dark fruit, spicy oak and red currant. Tannins clamp down on the finish. 89 now, but lots of potential. Hold until 2014.
Red
2001 Tom Eddy Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley
92 points
Garnet color. Notes of dusty berry and red currant with a nice herbal undertone. Flavors of cherry and sage with a long finish.
Red
2005 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Brosseau Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone
90 points
Bright ruby color. Aromas of cherry and typical earthy Pinot funk. Medium-bodied, with great spicy red fruit and acidity.
Red
2003 Judd's Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA, California, Napa Valley
89 points
Garnet color. Notes of dusty red fruit and spice. Medium-bodied, with dusty red fruit & black currant flavors.
Red
2005 Lail Vineyards Blueprint USA, California, Napa Valley
89 points
Notes of red fruit, herbs and currants...elegant. Medium-bodied, with red fruit and herb flavors. Medium to long finish.
Red
2006 Ridge Zinfandel East Bench USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
90 points
Aromas of jammy red fruit with a nice underlying spiciness. Medium-bodied, with plush red fruit, spice and black cherry flavors. 90-91 pts.
Red
2004 Branham Estate Wines Zinfandel Rockpile USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile
88 points
Dark ruby color. Nose of raisins and blackberry jam. Flavors of spice, pepper and red fruit.
Red
2005 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
92 points
Dark ruby to garnet color. Notes blackberry, dark fruit and herbs. Full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruit and spice. Long finish with dark fruit and sweet tannins. 92-93 pts.
Red
2004 Austin Hope Syrah Hope Family Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
92 points
Inky garnet color. Wonderful bouquet featuring black fruit, roasted herbs and a subtle bacon quality. Full-bodied, with flavors of spice, black fruit and game. Finishes well with dark fruit and spice tones.
Red
2006 EIEIO Pinot Noir Cuvée E USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
A bit simple, with candied cherry qualities on the nose and palate. Good underlying acidity with a short finish.
Red
2005 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir Reserve USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
92 points
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night, as I wasn't expecting a wine of this quality. Notes of dark cherry and earth. Very well-balanced, with red fruit and dirty cherry flavors, and a long, elegant finish. Very well-made, and absolutely delicious.
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