Wine tasting of November 24, 2008

Present were Grasshopper (who has been absent for some time but finally responded to our call), Uncle-E, Uncle-N, Piroca and Jimmy. Winepath was on the way to Napa valley possibly to obtain about 30 acres of vineyards in Clear Lake district. We were again bit out of control and tasted a total of 7 wines. I forgot my notes, so this is all from memory; therefore, the description is very sketchy.

1. Monteviejo Lindaflor Malbec. 2005, score=2+~3

Color is dark with purple or blue tinge at the rim. Nose is bit closed but some black fruits and minerals are coming through. Palate is nice with black fruits with coffee or dark chocolate. There was some difference in opinion about the tannin. Piroca and Uncle-E felt that it was very tannic. The rest of us thought it was firm and somewhat assertive (young wine) but quite OK. Long finish. Because of the color, P. Verdot and P. Syrah were suggested. Malbec was mentioned (Jimmy thought this was Malbec) but both Uncle-E (quoting the lack of a lemony note) and Piroca decided that this was not Malbec (They got a hint that this was a single varietal wine not a blend). In terms of the origin of the country, Spain was mentioned (just because Uncle-N brought this). This turned out to be Monteviejo Lindaflor Malbec. 2005 from Argentina.

94 Points - Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate "Monteviejo's flagship is the Lindaflor Malbec. The 2005 was aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak. It offers up an ethereal perfume of pain grille, vanilla, pencil lead, espresso, blueberry, black cherry, and a hint of dark chocolate. Quite massive on the palate yet light on its feet, the wine exhibits thick, intense flavors, gobs of sweet fruit, concealed tannin, and a very long finish. It should easily age for a decade and drink well through 2030."

2. Schulz Johanne Zinfandel 2004, Score=2~2+

Color is nicely dark. Nose is again bit of minerals but not particularly floral. Palate is nice but bit thin with somewhat short finish. Again, a hint was given that this is a single varietal. Because of the screw top, Australia was first mentioned and also California. Finally, also Spain. In terms of the grape varietals, everything was mentioned but none of the tasters even mentioned Zinfandel. This is a bit unusual Zin from Australia.

91 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): "An excellent value, the 2004 Zinfandel Johanne possesses good fruit along with a big, peppery, briery nose displaying hints of herbs as well as a resiny forest-like character. Ripe, full-bodied, and rich, this impressive Zinfandel should drink well for 3-5 years."

3. Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 2005, Score=2+~3

Color is dark and nose has lots of black cherry, vanilla and caramel. Nice palate, which corresponds to the nose. Consensus was that this is a fruits forward highly oaked California cab. This turned out to be Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature 2005. Uncle-N thought that we have definitely tasted this (may not be 05) but our blog does not have an entry for this one. Nice but very predictable wine.

93 points Wine Spectator: “A supple, graceful style that serves up a complex mix of cherry, currant, herb and plum-scented fruit, picking up a light toasty oak and mocha note mid palate and finishing with a long, lingering aftertaste and round tannins. Drink now through 2013.”

4. Amon Ra Godolphin Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Score=2+~3+

Many liked this one the best in the tasting. The nose is again black cherry with some funk (sweaty foot) but not too funky (my memory is fading). Palate is nice with mixed black and red fruits, some roasted beef note with rather long finish but some felt (not Piroca), it was bit too tannic. All in all well crafted nice wine. This was a Shiraz/cab mix from Godolphin.

93 Points Wine Advocate; “The 2005 Godolphin, a blend of 80% Shiraz (from 85-year-old vines) and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon (from 60-year-old vines), was aged in 100% new oak, primarily 300-liter French hogsheads. It represents a beautiful marriage of power and elegance, displaying an inky/blue/purple color as well as notions of black raspberries, blueberries, graphite, and sweet pain grille. Ripe, pure, and medium to full-bodied with sweet but noticeable tannin, it can be drunk now or cellared for 12-15 years.”

5. Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône 2005, Score=2+

Color, yes, color is very pale and transparent. This was from Uncle-E so everybody knew this was either Burgundy or South of France wines. The nose is nice with red fruits especially of Strawberry with some earthiness. The palate also reflects the nose with nice forward red fruits, strawberry and raspberry with surprisingly firm well-constructed tannin. Uncle-N was of the opinion that this was a Cotes du Rhone because of the strawberry nose and palate, i.e. Grenache component. Piroca thought this could be Burgundy. This turned out to be Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône 2005.

6. Paul Hobbs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Score=2+~3

We were supposedly to end with the 5th wine but Piroca said “let me bring one more”. We all thought this was a highly extracted and oaked Cali cab. All the elements were there; lots of vanilla, caramel, and tons of fruits and firm tannin. Predictably, Uncle-E did not like this saying it was a “cocktail” wine. Nonetheless we have to say that Paul Hobs knows how to make a good wine.

92 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate); "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa offers beautiful black currant fruit interwoven with notions of licorice, cedar, and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied, opulent, and fleshy, it should drink nicely for 12-15+ years."

7. Saison Des Vins Syrah L'hiver 2005, score=2+

We should have stopped but Uncle-N brought this one out. By the shape of the bottle, Australian Shiraz has been suggested but this was Saison Des Vins Syrah L'hiver 2005 from Mendocino County made by Copain (which Uncle-E pointed out).

90 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): "One of Copain's best values every year is the Saisons des Vins Syrah l'Hiver, Guthrie's interpretation of a St.-Joseph or Crozes-Hermitage. The 2005 reveals hints of tapenade, pepper, red cherries, and cassis along with zesty acidity and a fruit-driven style. About 15% whole clusters were used in its upbringing. This delicious, fun Syrah should drink well for 3-4 years."

Again, we were impressed with our inability of identifying either grape varietals or country of origin. Only good thing is that we know which one we like (at least). In the past few tastings, we all had nice wines nothing spectacular but nothing bad (Oh, I almost forgot Pearmund P. Verdot).

Additional tasting on Friday,October 17, 2008

As an afterthought, following Uncle N's departure, there was a last tasting, due to uncle winepath's (the great-, but yet unknown winemaker) generosity. Uncle P guessed that this was the Maitre'D, a 2006 cabernet from the talented Mollydookers. The reason the picture is "horizontal" is that our amateur photographer (he got fired since), was out of focus (I mean the photographer, not the camera). Still, this is an excellent wine, reasonably priced, with the usual fruit-forward and spicy nose that characterize the Mollydooker wines. Uncle Winepath gives it a 2+; the other uncles were too preoccupied at this stage to form an opinion.

Wine Tasting on October 17, 2008

Present are Uncle-N, Winepath, Piroca, and Jimmy. Uncle-E was delayed by a late meeting and could not make it. Grasshopper has been absent for long time. Vicarious tasting is not as good as actually tasting, Grasshopper. We blind tasted 4 wines. Except for one, three were pretty good.

1. Musella Amarone 2003, Score=2+~3

Again this wine proves that we cannot tell anything about wines. Nice dark color with black cherry nose. The palate is good with black fruits and good firm tannin. There is a bitter finish (mostly tannin). We all thought (except for the contributor Winepath) that this is a new world wine and probably Cali Cab or Argentinean Cab, Malbec blend. How wrong can we be? We all tasted this one before and Uncle-N and Winpath even shared a case of this wine. Above all, we thought we could tell Amarone from other wines anytime. After we knew what this was, we started tasting raison-like taste etc but it was too late.
“Wine Enthusiast; Members of the Pasqua family bought this historic property (with an adorable bed & breakfast) and founded a new wine estate in 1995. Since then, Musella has emerged as one of the best Amarone producers outside the Classico zone. This wine delivers incredible intensity and purity of aromas: Distinct notes of coffee, cherry and roasted nut comprise a compact and clean presentation. It’s chewy, sweet with a velvety, soft texture in the mouth. Score: 93. —Monica Larner, October 01, 2007.”

2. Pearmund Petit Verdot 2006, Score=2

The nose is the best part of this wine; a bit grapy with black pepper and hint of coffee. The color is nicely dark and it is a good start but the palate is disappointing. It is rather thin with short finish and acidic kick at the end. Tannin is not strong or not well constructed. According to Winpath, it is very vegetal and he suggested Cab Frank and surprisingly even its origin as “Virginia”. Cab blend possibly from Chile was also suggested. Uncle-N brought this (left over from his trip to Inn at Little Washington and winery tour of Northern Virginia several month ago) because Piroca said he could tell P. Verdot and P. Syrah from their color in the previous tasting. GV of Winelibrary happened to taste this in a Winelibrary TV episode sometime ago and gave 86 which we agree, but may go lower. This is not a wine we would like to try again. Here is the write up at the winery website. “Blackberry aromas with rich plum flavors. Well-rounded tannins and a smooth finish. Earthy, rustic, and warm. Limited production.”

3. Mas D'en Gil Coma Vella 2001, Score=2+~3+

Color is dark with a nose of black fruit with spices especially rosemary and dark chocolate. Some detected slight funk, which dissipated quickly. The palate is not particularly fruit forward but very complex with predominantly black fruits accompanied by spice box, smoke and coffee, and a chocolate layer ending in nice firm tannin. European origin was suggested. Winepath thought this is Bordeaux probably Merlot predominating like Medoc. Piroca initially thought non-European but at the end suggested Spain. This happens to be Coma Vella from Priorat, Spain.
“94 Points - Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate; The 2001 Coma Vella is a blend of 30% Carinena, 20% Garnacha Peluda, 20% Garnacha Pais. 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. This full-bodied (14.5% alcohol) wine was aged 12 months in French oak. It is opaque purple in color with seductive notes of smoke, meat, and game, as well as black cherry, licorice, and minerals. Opulent, thick, and rich, it will drink well for 6-8 years."

4. Clarendon Hills Hickenbotham Vineyard Syrah 2004, Score=3~3+

Color is dark almost black with nice nose which contains menthol or minty note with some earthiness or smokiness. The palate is nice with viscous mouth coating texture with black fruits coming at you like freight trains with nice integrated tannin. We detected not much meat juice or pepper flavors. Most of us like this the best among today’s wines. This is more fruits forward and in the face new world wine but extremely nice. Coma vella to me is more elegant and subtle but this is personal preference.
"One of McLaren Vale’s most astonishing Syrahs is Clarendon Hills’ amazing 2004 Syrah Hickinbotham. Its inky/blue/purple hue is accompanied by aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, smoked meats, melted licorice, coffee beans, graphite, and bacon fat. Extremely full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with moderately high tannin, huge structure as well as massive concentration and intensity, but a sense of elegance, balance, and equilibrium, it should be cellared for 2-3 years, and drunk over the following two decades."-Wine Advocate

Wine tasting of October 10, 2008

Finally all core group members were present; Jimmy, Piroca, Uncle-E, Uncle-N, and Winepath. Today happened to be Prioca’s birthday and, Jimmy gave him a birthday present (see the picture) and in lieu of a birthday cake, we had a round of dried fig and almond, which is Prioca’s favorite, but there is no space for the candles. We tasted 5 wines; all are quite good but Uncle-E did not like any of them including one he brought. As usual we blind tasted all five.




1. Provenance Vineyards Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, score=3

This was disguised as “screaming chicken”. Nose is rather muted with black cherry and dusty, slightly earthy note. Palate is bit austere like Bordeaux but nice black fruits with structured tannin and some acidic kick in the finish. Reasonably long finish. We all liked this one and the consensus is Cali Cab or Cali Bordeaux blend. This was not “screaming chicken” but 2005 Provenance Vineyards Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Here are info from their website;
“The 2005 vintage provided long hangtime for notably rich Cabernet Sauvignon flavors with balanced acidity. Heavy winter rains during vine dormancy gave way to a dry, mild March. Significant rains returned in April and May, delaying bloom and berry set. Summer temperatures were desirably mild, with few heat spikes. September’s fog and cool temperatures slowed sugar accumulation, and then perfect conditions arrived in October for a late harvest. We were still picking grapes in November, a new hangtime record for Provenance.” “97% Cabernet ;18 Months in 60% French Oak, 28% American Oak, 12% European Oak, 45% New Oak; Wine Acidity 5.8g/L, Wine pH 3.71, Alcohol 14.9%.”

2. Three Clicks Petite Sirah 2006, Score=3

This one was served carefully decanted several hours before tasting by Winepath. The color is interesting with dark red with purple or, by Piroca, “blue” hue and just by the color Piroca announced that this is either Petite Syrah or Petite Verdot. Nose is nothing unusual but has prominent minerals. Palate is good with nice black fruits with vanilla and caramel but very strong mouth-drying tannin in the finish despite decanting. The rest of us thought this is highly oaked Cali cab but Piroca was right. This is 100% Petite Sirah (this is how they spelled it). We have previously discussed what Petite syrah could be. By DNA analysis most of so-called P. Syrah in Califronia may have genetic connection to “big” syrah. In any case this one was produced from 100% Petite sirah from two small vinyards in Calistoga, Napa. It was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels of which 45% were new. We liked this one but at this point even after several hours of decanting, it is bit too tannic and several more years of aging may make this wine better.

3. Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon By Joseph Phelps 2005, score=3

Nose is nice with blakc cherry, cedar with minerals. Palate is also nice with predominant black fruits (bit more fruits forward than the previous two) with nice balanced tannin with resonale finish. Again a good wine. The pundits are saying Bordeaux (Winepath) and SuperToscan (Piroca) but all are wrong as ususal. This is the second label by J. Phelps called “Innisfree” Cab 2005. The grapes are 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot from estate-grown grapes (45%) and independent growers (55%). Craig Williams who also makes Insignia is the wine maker and his note reads “In years with high yields, selective blending often results in an Innisfree label. The 2005 Innisfree Cabernet was produced from extra fruit after the Insignia and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blends were created. This forward and approachable wine boasts aromas and flavors of mulled spices, red fruit, coffee and cedar, with a long, concentrated finish that lingers on the palate.” For the price, this is a good everyday wine with a high PQR.

4. Cobos Malbec 2004, score=3+

Color is dark red without appreciable purple tinge. Nose has slight funk but otherwise very pleasant. Palate is the most fruits forward among the all wines we tasted here. Nice mix of black and red fruits but not particulary “grapey”. Big but not too strong tannin and long finish with chocolate. We have done this so many times but we felt this is one of the high-end Cali Cab and again we are wrong. Paul Hobbs imports from Argentina and 100% Malbec! Previously, Piroca brought Catena Zapata Malbec and we reacted the same way. It is amazing that the well made and high-end Malbec really taste like good Cab. Here is the write up in their web site; “Cobos Malbec, represents ‘true north’ for Viña Cobos, and is the founding inspiration for the Argentine portfolio. It is produced only in exceptional vintages, from the oldest vines (60 to 80 years) in the Marchiori Vineyard. It exhibits levels of concentration and power rarely achieved in Argentina, or in other top winegrowing regions of the world, for that matter.” And these are the stats; “Primary Fermentation Fermented in 8-ton closed-top stainless steel tanks; Maceration 4-to 5-day cold soak; 30 days total maceration; Secondary Fermentation Native malolactic fermentation in barrel; 3 months to completion; Barrel Aging 18 months in 88% new Taransaud French oak; Bottling January 16, 2008; unfined and unfiltered.”

5. Joseph Phelps Insignia 2001, Score=3+

This was contrubution by Uncle-E for Piroca’s Birthday. Despite his best efforts to cover up almost all bottle surface with alminum foil which he brought himself, Uncle-N said as soon as seeing the top of the bottle “Insignia!”. So this tasting may have been bit biased and not quite a“blind” tasting. We are impressed with it’s Brodeaux-esque characters (of course sans funky nose). Rather austere but complex with nice well integrated tannin. Not as fruits forward as more recent vintages of Insignia but it is a very well constructed wine. The composition of the grapes change a bit in every vintage since they strive to use estate-grown fruits as much as possible. 2001 is made of "89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Verdot, 3% Malbec primarily from estate-owned vineyards in Stag's Leap and Rutherford, with additional fruit coming from independent growers. Grapes were harvested at an average 24.8º Brix, fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels before being blended and bottled in February, 2004.” RP’s take is “The 2001 Insignia is an inky/purpled- colored effort representing a return to the superb quality of such vintages as 1997. Aged in 100% new French oak, this blockbuster reveals gorgeous aromas of melted licorice, creme de cassis, liquid minerals, and hints of chocolate and spice box. The finish is long, full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuous. Considerable tannin is largely concealed by the lavish richness, extract, and glycerin. - 95 Points”.

FRIDAY NIGHT TASTINGS, OCTOBER 3, 2008

Present were: Uncles E, P, Jimmy and Winepath. Uncle N is still missing and apparently was last seen in Bora Bora and Papete, Tahiti. in a grass skirt, learning the Hoola dance (this has not been confirmed, though, it may entirely be a false roumor).
The first wine, although had a good color and pleasant smell, tasted acidic. Uncle E, who appreciates bad wines, finding good things to say about rotten vintages, did like it. The rest of the Uncles had unprintable comments. Could easily live without this one. It turned out to be an Australian cabernet, 2005, from Shingleback. A 2-, if you want to be generous.

The second bottle, brought by Uncle P, had a garnet color, very good nose and aromas of coffee, cocoa, vanilla. We all loved it, unfortunately any comments were stifled by the great fears of Uncles E and P that the financial markets are ruining us all. That being true, one nevertheless should concentrate on the wine. Seasoned winemakers, (like Uncle Winepath for instance) who do not understand squat about the market or finances in general-are not worried about the collapse of the world as we know it. Anyway, this wine was great, we thought it to be a California cabernet. We were right: this is Ghost Block, Oakville 2005-a Napa cult wine, produced under the auspices of the Napa Wine Company "incubator". The Ghost Block refers to the old cemetery adjacent to the vineyard, where 150 of the Valley's wine makers are burried. A 3/3+.

The third bottle we tasted, contribution of Uncle E, had a pleasant if slightly funky nose. Nice, well balanced wine, smokey, mineral. Possibly Italian or 2005 French Bordeaux (Uncle P). A little austere, short finish, but altogether a pleasant wine. Turned out to be a 2001 Bordeaux, Chateau La Confession, St Emilion. A 2+/3.