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New Years' Eve (Pride, Pahlmeyer)

Tasted December 31, 2009 by dwmcubed with 412 views

Introduction

Casual night with friends. Wines served with home-ground hamburgers and sweet potato fries with Benton's Bacon. Continued on a recent losing streak with corked/bad bottles - tossed some corked bordeaux aside - and moved to some late 90's Cali Cabs.

Flight 1 (3 notes)

White - Sparkling
N.V. J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Brut Chigny-lès-Roses France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Perhaps an off bottle - vibrant fizz in the glass when poured, then goes remarkably flat. Hints of flavor components are there (yeast, light citrus notes) - but overall lacking acidity and verve. No hints of TCA detected.
Red
1996 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red - bright nose of creme de cassis, chocolate and tobacco
Sweet, ripe fruits (cherries, cassis) with waves of chocolate and coffee. Hints of spice, tobacco and a good dose of cedar. Dense mouthfeel - wine supported by nice acidity and very sweet tannins that have started to integrate. Very nice wine, although the sweetness factor makes it a bit monotone for my palate (but it is a heck of a note!).
Red
1999 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley
Perfect bottle - hand carried back from a wonderful visit many years ago. Dark purple in the glass - and I swirl expecting a burst of ripe fruits - but to my surprise I discover a wonderfully balanced nose with hints of black fruit, some vegetal (green pepper) tones and just a hint of vanilla and tobacco.
Makes its case as a potential ringer with a lithe bordeaux-like mouthfeel, but it reveals its place of origin with ripe plum and black cherry fruit. Very nice balance with green pepper, tobacco, hints of vanilla and an acidity that keeps the wine vibrant and very food friendly. Quite the pleasant surprise - and quickly consumed (and enjoyed) by the NYE crowd.

Closing

The Pride was a wonderful surprise - depending on your enjoyment of vegetal aspects in Cabernet, YMMV..

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