Community Tasting Note

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Sunday, June 7, 2020 - Life is a Cabernet! Zoom Tasting: Wines were all double decanted to remove sediment around 1:00 pm and poured into individual mason jars for transport. Jars were stored in cellar until transport time at ~4:30 and then poured into glasses for tasting at 6:00-8:30. The theme was Cabernet and Cabernet Blends. Wines tasted were as follows:

1. 2010 Araujo Estate Sauvignon Blanc Eisele Vineyard (Starter)
2. 2016 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
3. 2009 Gruaud Larose
4. 2012 Castello di Amarose Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Butala
5. 2009 Syzygy Saros 136
6. 2005 Two Hands Aphrodite
7. 2012 Raymond District Collection - Calistoga

All wines showed well, no dogs here! Group's top three, in order: 1. 2012 Castello; 2. 2012 Raymond; and 3. 2005 Aphrodite. My order was as follows: 1. 2012 Castello; 2. 2009 Gruaud Larose; 3. (Tie) between 2012 Raymond and 2005 Aphrodite.

2016 Duckhorn Cabernet Napa - This wine was a conundrum for me. It was clearly young, and complex, with flavors and nose constantly changing and evolving. A fun wine. It is somewhat hedonistic at this stage, with jammy fruits dominating on the palate, but also showing hints of leather, cocoa and tobacco. The wine also showed some heat and a bitterness I was not crazy about. The nose was also complex with signs of perfume, forest floor and dust, and some spice. I enjoyed watching this wine evolve in the glass, but did not appreciate the alcohol and bitterness that was also present. The wine also seemed to fade as the evening progressed, so not sure if the wine will soon enter a dumb phase, or if the wine does not have the makings of an age-worthy wine. This wine could be a gamble that may payoff big or disappoint....time will tell!

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