Wine tasting of December 19, 2008

We tasted a total of 8 wines; 6 blind and 2 without cover. Piroca wanted us to taste extra two; Pinot (which, he thought, was not good) and Ovid (which he just got and has not tasted). Present were Piroca, Winepath, Jimmy, Uncle-N and Uncle-E who brought his friend Lady PK as a guest. The following 6 were blind tasted in the order it appeared. We started with Pinot and ended with Ovid which were listed at the end.

1. Pasanau Germans Finca La Planeta Priorat 2004, Score=2+~3

Nose has prominent jus de viande and black bean (by our Brazilian contingents, it was said to resemble “Feijoada” which supposedly includes black beans and pork). Palate has complex black fruits up front with bit thin mid-palate (one of the tasters expressed this as “watery”) and nice moderate tannin at the end. Also present are hints of lemon, green pepper and mustard. Because of the nose, everybody first thought this to be Shiraz (Australia) and because of lemon taste, despite not having proper color of blue tinge, Malbec (Argentina) was also suggested. Syrah, Cab blend was mentioned in passing. This is from Piorat, Spain. Bit usual for Piorate wine in that it is made of 80% Cabernet. Here is what JM said;

95 Points - Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate
"The 2004 Finca la Planeta is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% old-vine Garnacha, an unusual blend for Priorat. The wine is aged for 12 months in new French and American oak. Purple-colored, it has an alluring perfume of pain grille, slate, lavender, black cherry, and black currant. This leads to a full-bodied, layered, spicy wine with tons of fruit and 3-5 years of cellaring potential. It should be at its best between 2012 and 2020."

2. Chateau Montrose St. Estephe 2003, Score=2+~3

Nose has faint funk; best described as “sweaty foot or sock” or “xoxota” (I am not sure, this is allowed) by our Brazilian friends. Very restrained fruits with tannin finish with acidic kick. Consensus was that this is Bordeaux. This tuned out to be highly rated Ch Montrose. It is a blend of 62% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

Stephen Tanzer gave 96 and said;
“Bright red-ruby color. Complex, perfumed nose combines raspberry, licorice, tobacco, camphor and black olive. Gripping and authoritative on the attack, then dense, sappy and juicy in the middle palate, with fruit of steel and great definition and class. Extremely intense raspberry, currant and red licorice flavors. Finishes with powerful but noble tannins that reach the front teeth and succulent fruit that goes on and on. This simply does not miss a beat from start to finish. “
This is also RP97! Obviously we are not Bordeaux lover.

3. Ramey "Jericho Canyon" Napa Red 2005, Score=3

We all thought this is a classic fruits forward Cali Cab. Nose has lots of fruits, caramel and vanilla without any funk. Palate is fruits forward (but not fruits bomb) with nice rounded tasted of all Cali Cab should taste and rather assertive tannin to finish. This was 2005 Ramey "Jericho Canyon" Napa Red and this is supposedly the last vintage from Jericho Canyon.

95 points from Robert Parker:
"The final vintage for this cuvee, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Jericho Canyon offers a Graves-like personality of scorched earth, chocolate, charcoal, and black currants as well as a sumptuous, full-bodied palate, and a layered, multi-dimensional finish. Drink this remarkable Cabernet Sauvignon over the next two decades. One of Northern California’s most successful winemakers/consultants, David Ramey’s personal winery continues to go from strength to strength. Ramey has had the best of both worlds, working in Bordeaux for the Moueix family, and in California at Dominus, Chalk Hill, and Rudd Estate."

4. O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2005, Score=2+

Nose has slight funk (sweaty foot), which dissipates after sometime, and coffee. Palate shows forward fruits, mostly black fruits with usual oak derived tastes of a new world cabernet. Rather firm tannin. Consensus was new world cab; may be Cali cab or possibility Chilean. Nothing astounding but very nice wine and we liked it. This happened to be O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon.

95 points Robert Parker:
"The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a beauty, with dark ruby/purple color and a big sweet nose of tobacco leaf intermixed with black currant, black cherry, new saddle leather, and white chocolate. The wine is full-bodied, powerful, with superb purity, texture, and length. It’s approachable now but promises to be better in 3-4 years, and last for at least 15 or more."

5. Chateau Chauvin 2005, Score=1+~2

Nose is rather closed but some mineral note is coming through. Palate is austere with bit hollow mid-palate with good tannin but bit strong acidic kick. At this point, nobody was paying close attention to guess what this wine was. In general, this wine was not liked even by Uncle-E. This is 05 Bordeaux.

90-92 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)
"Chauvin`s successful 2005 ranks alongside their 2000 and 1998. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by lovely aromas of black currants, cherries, smoke, meats, and minerals. Superb purity, full body, good acidity, and moderate tannin suggest this fleshy, substantial St.-Emilion will be drinkable in 3-4 years, and last for 15 or more."

6. San Roman Toro 2003, Score=2+

Very nice perfume nose of floral note; the best nose among today’s tastings. Woody and caramel notes are also detected. Surprisingly fruits forward and more like new world wine with nice caramel and vanilla with good tannin. Again, everybody was busy talking etc and did not give serious thoughts as to what this wine may be. This is Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo) from Spain.

93 Points - Wine Spectator
"Plush, polished and alluring, this modern red offers ripe, sweet blackberry and cassis flavors supported by plenty of toasty oak and grounded by a firm minerality. Not muscle-bound, but structured and balanced, with a long floral finish. Drink now through 2015. 6,100 cases made."
The following two were tasted without cover. The Pinot was one Piroca initially bought for Thanksgiving by the recommendation of the fat guy at one of his wine stores.

7. Failla, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2006, Not scored

Color is thin and strawberry aroma with minerality. Palate reflects the nose with strong strawberry and other red fruits and mild tannin. Almost taste like Rhone (Granache). It is Pinot but we had better examples such as Kosta Browne.

Wine Spectator 87pts
"Dry, herbal yet savory, with dried currant and wild berry fruit that's rich and refreshing, if a bit on the loamy side. Has good concentration. Drink now through 2011. 500 cases made."

8. Ovid Napa Valley Red 2005, Not Scored

Nice wine. Color is of course no problem. Nose has nice minerality with floral note (lilac). Nice black fruits to start and then progress into vanilla and carmel and end with rather big tannin (may be bit too big, may need more mellowing). This one was made by Andy Erickson, winemaker for Screaming Eagle, Arietta and Hartwell with consultant winemaker Michel Roland and vineyard manager David Abreu.

94 points from Wine Spectator:
"Beautifully crafted, rich and complex, focused on ripe, loamy currant, spice, subtle herb and mineral notes that are well-proportioned, offering depth and concentration while remaining elegant and fleshy. Has a long, persistent finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2009 through 2016. 418 cases made”