Tasting on 5-30-08

Present were Uncle-E, Piroca, Jimmy and Uncle-N (who stayed barely long enough to taste all three wines). All the wines are blind-tasted as usual. Winepath was still absent on vacation.

1. Mara Dolinsek Zinfandel 2004, score=2+

The nose is very fragrant with black cherry, raspberry and hint of chocolate. The palate is also fruit loaded with mixed red (raspberry, cherry) ad black fruits (blackberry, blueberry). The finish has some acidic, lemony, citrusy kick. Tannin is good but not assertive. Overall, this is a good wine. The tasters did not have a clue as to what varietal this is. Cali cab, South American (Chilean or Argentinean) red blends (may be Cab + Malbec) were suggested. This happens to be 100% Zinfnadel from Russian valley. According to the winery; “The vines from this Old Vine Russian River Valley vineyard are maintained with the emphasis of low yields and intense fruit…As always a very small amount of cases are produced from an average of less than 1/2 ton per acre. Hand crafted cases are 386”

2. Larkmead Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Score=3

The color has brown tinge indicating the age. The nose is nice with predominant black fruits scent with slight earthiness. The palate is certainly not a fruit bomb but good fruits and well-integrated tannin and nice long finish with earthy or slightly smoky note. This is a new world wine but very well made and bridges new and old world. Everybody liked this one and suggested Cali cab or Cab-blend.
This is Larkmead Cab 2001! Fairly early in our tasting history, we all were wowed by this one and considered this as our definitive “favorite”. Piroca stored this in his Eurocave during these years and brought it up. I do not say I could recall the taste of this wine precisely when we first tasted it but I thought this was a much more fruits forward wine. Bottle aging may have intergraded fruits in a much more subtle way. We went thorough our cycles of taste changes but this kind of well made wine after some bottle aging is more appreciated at present than say several years ago. Does this mean our palates are getting sophiscated???

3. Kosta Browne syrah 2004, Score=2 ~ 2+

The color is black. It has a black fruits nose with hint of sweaty feet smell (probably indicating malolactic fermentation). On the plate, Wow, this is not the kind of wine Uncle-E should bring. Totally new world! Sugarfied fruits bomb big time. All kinds of fruits coated with sweetness like skittles or assorted lifesavers. Highly extracted. Thick glycerin mouth feel. We say Syrah, either Califronia or Australia.
The wine is made by Kosta Browne (famous for Pinot which we have tasted few examples in the past). The grapes are from Amber ridge Vineyard in Russian valley.

Tasting of May 22, 2008

Present were Uncle-N, Piroca, Uncle-E and Jimmy. Winepath is on vacation. We blind-tasted 4 wines. (updated with my notes).

1. Orna Chillag Cabernet Sauvignon (Israel) 2003, Score=2 ~ 2+

The nose is mostly black fruits (black cherry) but rather closed without significant “oak” derived nose. Some black tea leaves, slight smell of sweaty foot or (by some) dirty pool water were also noted in the nose. The palate is nice but rather simple with thin midpalate and reasonably long sour cherry finish. (Some felt it is too acidic.) Nice supporting tannins. Some thought this was Cab possibly Cali Cab but rather austere side (Bordeaux style). Possibility of Italian was also raised but most did not think that was the case. It turned out to be Israeli Cab, which was given by Winepath to Uncle-P at one time and Piroca decided to bring it in Winepath’s absence. We think this is one of the better wines among the few Israeli wines we tasted.
Quote from from the Kosherwine.com; “Orna - Chillag is a recipient of the Italian Knighthood "Castellana" of Soave and a member of "Le Donne del Vino" the organization for women winemakers. Trained in Italy, Orna established the Chillag Winery in Israel in the year 2000.….The Orna' was made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, hand harvested from a single vineyard in the Upper Galilee. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 12 months and is unfiltered.”

2. Paul Hobbs Cabernet sauvignon 2003, Score=3+

The nose is nice with black cherry with hint of smoke, caramel and vanilla. The nose said highly oaked Cab. The palate reflects the nose; nice smooth mouth feel with lots of black fruits, caramel and vanilla in the midpalate and nice long finish with structured but smooth tannin. This had to be a well made Cali Cab was the majority of the opinion. We were right; it was Paul Hobbs.
“WA 93 Pts. - The dark ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied, impressively-endowed 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa offers up notes of charcoal, smoke, creme de cassis, and toasty oak. A wealth of glycerin, concentration, and fruit suggest it will provide ideal drinking now and over the next 10-15 years.”

3. Portal Del Montsant Santbru 2005, score=2+ ~ 3

The color is quite unique: dark with distinctive purple especially at the fringe. The nose is also unique; besides some usual black fruits, there is very distinctive smell, which is difficult to describe; not unpleasant but almost chemical in nature. By Unlce-E, this wine has a nose of licorice, port-like or raisin aroma. The palate is also interesting with thick “chewy” mouth feel (lots of glycerin with nice leg). Nice fruits (both black and red) but the finish is bit short. Nice smooth tannin. The tasters could not place this wine correctly, although Syrah and Grenache were mentioned and there was some discussion of Languedoc. Suggestion of Amarone was also made. This is from Spain and from a relatively new winery.
93 Points - Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate; "The 2005 Santbru is 65% Carinena, 15% Garnacha, and 20% Syrah sourced from 50-80 years old vines. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak, 80% new…..Portal del Montsant is a new estate started by Barcelona architect Alfredo Arribas in 2001 with his purchase of the Mas de Portal property. He hired the experienced Ricard Rofes as winemaker. The estate is being farmed organically."

4. Chateau Pape-Clément 2001, Score=3+ (4)

The nose said this is Bordeaux. Nose is not unpleasant but wet earth, mushroom and forest floor (or “funk” or “wet basement”) with some minerals. The palate has surprisingly good amount of fruits with complex layering of flavors. Good mid palate with nice tannin and long finish. Uncle-E knew he brought Bordeaux to the new world wine enthusiasts but everybody liked this one. Apparently, Pape-Clement utilizes a new technology (cold maceration etc for highly extracted wine), which explains the palate of much more fruits driven and highly extracted flavor as compared to other Bordeaux. I think that they use almost equal amount of Cabernet and Merlot in their wines (like other Graves) but could not get information specific to the vintage. This is an old prestigious estate making “almost” New World wines. Quoting from one of the websites; “Centuries ago, Pope Clement V, elected in 1305, was the lord of these lands. However, since they have been in the careful hands of Bernard Megrez, the wines have improved considerably. They are full and creamy wines to be kept hidden away in the cellar, and to be drunk two decades later as if they were equals to the greatest.”

TASTINGS FRIDAY NIGHT, 5-16-08

PRESENT WERE: Uncles Piroca, Jimmy, Winepath and E; Uncle N was conspicuously absent. Only the first (the one you see here) of three wines was tasted blindly. There was soft cheese, bread and figs & almond torte-to add fiber to our constipating diets.
This wine was accused of being a dark, new world syrah or syrah /cabernet. Had a purplish-blue tinge; Taste of cedar, pepper, cigarette ash (uncle E comes up with some good ones!) with a rather short finish (Uncle P).
But muhahaha!!-IT IS A MERLOT! (with some minor other varietals) Brought in by the clever Uncle Winepath: Casa Apostolle, Merlot 2005, from the famous Chilean Apalta Vineyard. It is a 2+. It got better within 1/2 hour of opening.

Luca, Altos de Mendoza,2005 (2-2+)

Uncle P wanted to taste a syrah from Argentina. Well, it tasted like an average Aussie syrrah: dark, with typical peppery nose. Taste is like roast lamb, or the mint it comes with; rosemary. It is uncle E's favorite tonight. It is all right if you love syrah. It is not a mollydooker.

Behrens & Hitchcock, "Kitchen Sink",2004 (3-3+)

This wine was tasted last. Good "syrah" nose, this is a dark, though tannic wine. Root beer, medicinal taste, but interesting, nothing like the other B &H wines. A mix of mostly syrah with cab, merlot and petit verdot-this is probably the best one of the lot. B & H will no longer produce under joint label; rumor has it that the partners have split up-apparently this made prices go through the roof. Uncle Winepath is expecting to be hired as the new winemaker, to make equally good wines. He is standing by the phone as we speak, waiting for the call.

Tastig on 5-9-08

Present were Uncle-E, Uncle-N, Piroca, Jimmy and Winepath. We blind tasted 5 wine. All five are quite good. As usual, the below are in the order we tasted.

1. Edge Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Score=2 ~ 2+

Winepath carefully decanted the wine a few hours before tasting. As a result, the wine was rather warm when we first tasted it. Alcohol was quite strong in the nose and we had a difficult time discerning the aroma. We put the decanter in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and tasted again. The nose has a somewhat medicinal smell (rubber tire and turpentine or kitchen cabinet---whatever that means). The palate is better than the nose with black fruits and sour cherry finish. Good tannin and leaves slightly sweet taste. We felt this is cab may be Cali Cab or possibly Chilean.
This turned out to be “Edge” Cab Sauv 05. According to Edge Wines web site, this was produced with 100% Napa Valley fruit, and spent 16 months in French and American oak barrels, of which 30% were new. It is a blend of Cabernet and a small amount of Merlot. It was voted “BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON UNDER $20” by Food & Wine Magazine, October 2007.
The label is stenciled on the bottle and one of the most difficult labels to photograph.

2. MolleyDooker “The Scooter” Merlot 2006, Score=2+

The nose is bit closed but floral note with cedar come through. It tasted a bit hot with good fruits and slightly sweet note. Very nice smooth mouth feel. Nice but not too assertive tannin and reasonable finish. Because of the screw top, everybody’s first reaction was Shiraz from Australia but after being told this is not shiraz, the tasters came up with “Grenache from Spain”, Oregon or Washington state Syrah, Australian Meritage “.
This is M-D The Scooter Merlot. It was a bit unexpected for M-D wines. I was expecting more candied fruits tastes but that was not very prominent. According to the AM-D website; “Our Merlot grapes come from Gemtree's vineyard in McLaren Vale, an area which has lovely fruit intensity, and Scott & Cheryl Longbottom’s vineyard in Padthaway which is renowned for highlighting the beauty and elegance of the variety.” JM at WA gave 91.

3. Chateau Pavie 2002, Score=2+ ~ 3

The nose has lots of black fruits, chocolate and mocha with distinctive smoky, rubber tire, tar or hot asphalt smell. The palate is nice with nice black fruits with smoky note, balanced acidity with long sour cherry finish. Because of nice fruits, no funky smell (wet basement), most of us initially did not think this was Bordeaux but suggested Cali cab or Bordeaux-style blend. One noted the shape of the bottle (sloped shoulders) and commented that this looks like a “Pavie” bottle. Although 02 was not a good vintage in Bordeaux, good chateaus still make a good wine. It is quite a contrast to the M-D Merlot vs. this wine. Despite the same grape varietals as a major component of both wines, the characters are quite different. We will enjoy both.

4. Torbreck Steading Red 2005, Score=2 ~3

The color is lighter than our usual reds with rosy tint. The nose is the best of this tasting with red fruits especially raspberry. The palate is also fruits-driven with strawberry raspberry jam/preserve taste with nice but mild tannin. The taster thought (correctly) Grenache. With some hint, the distinctive bottle shape gave away that this is “Torbreck”.
According to Jay Miller of WA; “The 2005 The Steading is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mataro, and 20% Shiraz aged for 22 months in used French oak. David Powell's interpretation of top-of-the-line Chateauneuf du Pape” and he gave 93. FYI “Mataro” is Mourvèdre.

5. UpSlope Syrah Santa Barbara 2005, score=2+ ~ 3

The color is very dak almost black and Piroca (as usual) pronounced that this is syrah (he was right). The nose has fruits candy, vanilla and caramel. The nose said this is a fruit bomb and it is very unlike for Uncle-E to bring this type of wine. The palate is also a fruit bomb with good tannin. Definitely new-world wine. We thought this is California meritage but syrah must be the main grape. Piroca said he detected the addition of Viognier. But this appears to be 100% syrah. Here is the description from the Jaffurs Wine cellar in Santa Barbara.
“The 2005 UPSLOPE Syrah represents the best 6 barrels in the winery for the vintage. It contains the best wine from each Thompson, Bien Nacido, and Verna’s vineyards wine lots. Now in its third vintage, it is deep and extracted, but with elegance and smoothness that only careful blending can produce. “

Tasting of May 2, 2008

Present were Uncle-N, Piroca, and Winepath and late arrival of Uncle-E. The first 4 wines were tasted blindly as usual but the last wine was tasted without cover since Uncle-E arrived after we revealed the first 4 wines. Jimmy was thoroughly missed (not because he is the provider of bread).

1. Mas Perla Piorat 2005, score=2+ ~ 3

Nice dark color with nose of cedar, black fruits and some spices but no funk. The palate is somewhat subdued but complex with black fruits and plum and other wood derived tastes. Nice smooth tannin with long finish. The tasters thought this was not European although Spain was mentioned in passing. Winepath thought this was Cali Cab or may be one from Chile. Piroca thought this was Australian Meritage.
This is from Priorat, Spain and only small quantity was produced and imported to US.

To quote from Sam’s wine and spirit, people from there actually visited the place; “The terroir up on this mountain top is unlike anything I have ever seen. The soil is a combination of heavy clay and brittle slate (known locally as Llicorella). How these vines can survive here is beyond me. They must be the mountain goats of the plant world. The vines are a combination of old-vine “bushes” of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot and some new trellis-trained vines. Very impressive….Mas Perla as it exisits has no winery. The wine is made by Gilles at the local co-op and then aged in an underground cellar located in a local olive oil mill. Production is of course tiny and Sam’s is one of only two retailers of this wine in the United States.”

As a result, the grapes in the wine are 35 % grenache, 30 % carignan, 15 % syrah, 15 % cabernet sauvignon, 5 % merlot. GV from wine library gave 96.

At least I feel that this is a wine, which transcends either old, or new world wines. It is not a fruits bomb but not that austere although subtle.

2. Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Merlot 2005, score=2+ ~ 3

This was a bit of a surprise. The nose is very nice with lots of black fruits especially black cherry with some mocha notes (by Prioca), The palate is also nice with black cherry, blue berry with smoky earthiness. Nice well-integrated tannin and reasonable long finish. The tasters thought this was California Meritage may be a Zin but did not even think of Merlot. It was a surprise to the tasters that this is a large production K-J and Merlot (10% Cab sauv).

This is the wine selected as “best of tasting” by WSJ titled “Merlot's Midrange Crisis" in which they blind tasted mid-range (less than $50) American Merlot. To quote them; “Kendall-Jackson "Grand Reserve" 2004 (Sonoma/Napa). $21.99. Very Good. Best of tasting. Dark and earthy, quite ripe yet restrained, with blackberry fruit. Good structure, with mouth-coating chocolate and cinnamon and a nicely dry finish. Could age. We liked the 2005 just as much.”

3. Renard Tres Ninos Red Meritage 2002, score=3 ~ 3+

The nose had slight funk, which dissipated rather quickly. There is some hint of sardine in addition to black fruits with caramel and vanilla. The palate is nice with nice black fruits and caramel and vanilla along with nice smooth mouth feel. Nice well-integrated tannin and good finish. The tasters thought this was Cali Cab or meritage. This turned out to be one of our old favorites. Before we started this blog, this was among the favorites. The wine is meritage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Syrah. RP gave 91 ad GV gave 93.





4. Stepping stone Carbernet Frank 2005, score=2+

Slightly musty nose without any vegetal smell. The palate is better with nice fruits with sour cherry finish and good supporting tannin. We thought of Cali Cab but this is California Cab Frank by Corner stone vineyard. This is a blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The primary fruit source for this wine is a hillside vineyard on the eastern slopes of Rutherford.

5. Chateau de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet de Beaucastel 2003, score=2

This was tasted without cover. Light rosy color with floral nose with red fruits but not significant funk. Nice but light wine (would go very well with food). Piroca will say “water” goes best with food and this wine is watery.
To quote from Grand Wine cellar website; “Area of production: Côtes du Rhône, adjoining the vineyard of Château de Beaucastel between Orange and Avignon. The Coudoulet vineyard is 30 hectares / 60 acres in size. Geology: Miocene marine molasses with a layer of alpine diluvium (rounded pebbles). Grape varieties: Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 30%, Syrah 20%, Cinsault 20%.”