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%.”