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Comments on my notes

(10 comments on 9 notes)

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Red
2018 G.B. Crane Disciples Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel
6/19/2023 - brianschool wrote:
86 points
Made from grapes grown on Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and the Tofanelli Vineyard in Calistoga. As the descriptions states, this has lots of Strawberry preserves, then dark fruit. This is a good wine, but unfortunately the winemaking here was too heavy-handed. The alcohol content is high, leaving a gin-like finish as opposed to a wine-like finish. It's unfortunate that the extremely high alcohol covers up a lot of the quality fruit here. It got better on day 2, but the alcohol didn't blow off enough, and I doubt it will.

The Crane Disciples 2018 red blend is nearly 50% Zinfandel, matched with Bordeaux and Rhone Varieties.

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    10/8/23, 10:36 AM - Your information on Disciples is not correct. The grapes are sourced from Napa Valley Heritage vineyards throughout the Napa Valley unlike the Crane Assembly Cabernet Sauvignon and the El Coco wine which are sourced from the G. B. Crane Vineyard.

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Red
2011 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch Sonoma Coast
7/14/2023 - suburbanfrog wrote:
94 points
Jamie Kutch did it again Another wine upon release that was OK in my book and lacked a little ripe fruit and was mostly tart fruit, but 10 years later, “HOLY COW!” Cherries here and cherries there. Did I add I really tasted Cherries? What phenomenal development. It even got better the next day which is a sign there’s more age ability in this wine. Congratulations Jamie.

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    7/16/23, 8:31 PM - Hi Snipes. I’ve been drinking Jamie’s wines since the 2006 vintage, his second. As his winemaking philosophy evolved and he experimented with whole cluster fermentations and farming practices that ripened grapes at lower sugars, his wines achieved better balance, lower alcohol and I think much better age ability. However. for my palate, I find that I much prefer to be patient in the cellar with his wines made in this style. I am finding that I am very much rewarded by cellaring his wines for 6 years plus. The wines really change from being a bit tart and sometimes a little green to developing mouthwatering ripened fruits and that change really surprises me to the point of wondering how could that be the same wine. I have experienced this numerous times now with Kutch Pinot Noir. Most producers whose Pinot Noirs drink tart or green when young just never seem to develop the fruit or are ever enjoyable for me. Jamie’s wines development reminds me of a new world version of the way fine Burgundy develops. From an unimpressive young tannic tart and undeveloped wine to really blossoming with 10+ years of age into a very memorable ripe, silky and aromatic drinking experience that leaves me wondering how can this be the same wine. For what it’s worth, that’s my experience with Kutch wines and my palate. That’s why I remarked “he did it again”. I hope that explains it.

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White
2021 Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard Russian River Valley
3/7/2023 - 559Cheers Likes this wine:
92 points
Nice but needs more time in bottle. Drank a lot of Aubert bottles over the last year. Didn’t seem like all the others. Perhaps I was thinking it was a warmer year or too young.

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    4/1/23, 2:40 PM - Cab Sauv?

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Red
2010 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills
11/25/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine:
94 points
Retail $50. Under DIAM10. It has been more than a minute since I popped a bottle of this wine, and I am happy to say, it is doing quite well, thank you very much. It's been more than eight years since Wes Hagen and his step-father, Steve Pepe, had a falling out and Clos Pepe Estate ceased to exist. I hear now that the Estate is up for sale? A cool $10 mil will do it. As for the wine, this is fruitier than I remember and rather remarkable given the dozen years since the harvest. Rich, luscious fruit, the SRH classic eucalyptus, and just a hint of earth. The palate follows suit: rich cherry fruit, incredible acidity, and just a hint of tannin. This continues to be my benchmark for all wines from the region. Whoa.

www.thedrunkencyclist.com

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    1/25/23, 1:17 PM - Steve is Wes's stepfather.

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    1/25/23, 1:17 PM - Steve is Wes's stepfather.

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Red
2011 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills
11/28/2019 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine:
93 points
I have said countless times that Clos Pepe is one of my favorite Pinot (and Chard) producers, and I have also lamented the fact that the winery is no more. Wes' passion and talent lives on, though, in the several odd cases of Clos Pepe that lie peacefully in my cellar. Tonight, Thanksgiving, we decided to awaken one from its slumber for sacrifice. Dark cherry and eucalyptus on the nose, with plenty of fruit on the palate. This is certainly California in style, but it is oh so tasty. The tannins seem integrated, but this likely has another half-dozen (or more) years still left in it. thedrunkencyclist.com

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    4/26/20, 5:29 PM - I agree with you 100% about Wes and his passion. Tonight we toasted and tilted several glasses in remembrance of Wes's work at the family vineyard and winery. Here's to Wes!!!! Cheers

Comment
Red
2008 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Allen Vineyard Russian River Valley
4/8/2018 - suburbanfrog Likes this wine:
93 points
Had at a formal dinner with 20 people. Everyone that had this wine commented about how much they liked it. For a down vintage, this wine was really shining right now.

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    9/3/18, 12:19 PM - Reply to The Count. I apologize for the late response, but no I did not decant.

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White - Sparkling
2005 Argyle Extended Tirage Brut Willamette Valley Champagne Blend
9/9/2017 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine:
95 points
Considerably better than previous bottles, and although a stylistic departure from the Rollin Soles era, this is more bright golden apple

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    12/10/17, 4:57 PM - Rollin made this wine from vineyard to bottle. It may be more of a reflection of the vintage than any stylistic change that you might be thinking. I noticed from my own tasting, this vintage of Extended Tirage has some different notes from previous vintages, but still a one of a kind American Sparkling wine. :)

Comment
Red
2006 Long Shadows Wineries Pirouette Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
2/28/2016 - suburbanfrog Likes this wine:
93 points
Great Merlot based blend with good concentration, balance and aromas. The wine was very well made with real quality fruit. I think it is showing very nice right now with a long life ahead of good drinking.

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    5/30/16, 5:46 PM - Thanks for correction. Confused with Pedestal.

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White
2011 Kosta Browne Chardonnay One Sixteen Russian River Valley
2/23/2014 - suburbanfrog Likes this wine:
94 points
A wine to savor. I just wanted to take my time and enjoy. This wine is developing nicely and I wish I had more.

  • suburbanfrog commented:

    2/24/14, 12:38 PM - I opened one shortly after release. Not nearly as open as it is now. This is really coming around!

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