Present were all the uncles , including Ozzie, except Uncle N, who is still doing deep sea snorkelling with Lady Sea in the Carribean.
First wine to be tasted was done openly. This was Uncle Winepath's 2006 cab. While the winemaker thought this to be a very good wine, most uncles thought it to be only drinkable, maybe better than before. Uncle Winepath considers this vintage to be his crown achievement, dark coffee and vanilla nose with tastes of camphor, incense and caramel. Piroca thought that it had improved because while ageing in the barrel it was topped up with premium wines. Not true! Winepath had only used inferior wines for this purpose.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Interesting nose, chemical, possibly kerosene or other petroleum product. It mellowed and improved with time. Piroca thought that it was the most complex wine he tasted tonight. A spanish priorat, complex, if not immediately pleasing wine. But then, the best wine is the one that you like. A 2+ to 3.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 24 2009 Tasting of Argentinian wines
This event was attended by Junebug, and Uncles Piroca and Winepath.
What a great idea! Argentinian wines are incredible value. Winepath's favorite was "las perdices" cabernet sauvignon, 2006 from Mendoza, for a sale price of $9.99 a bottle, excellent value. Later the same day, Joseph Phelps Insignia 2002 and Doix 2004 (Priorat, Costers de Vinyes Velles) were brought over by Uncle Piroca, to cellebrate Uncle Winepath's advanced age (not at liberty to divulge the age). Uncle Winepath had some leftover Pride Mountain, cab sauvignon, 2003 for an encore. Greatest wines!
What a great idea! Argentinian wines are incredible value. Winepath's favorite was "las perdices" cabernet sauvignon, 2006 from Mendoza, for a sale price of $9.99 a bottle, excellent value. Later the same day, Joseph Phelps Insignia 2002 and Doix 2004 (Priorat, Costers de Vinyes Velles) were brought over by Uncle Piroca, to cellebrate Uncle Winepath's advanced age (not at liberty to divulge the age). Uncle Winepath had some leftover Pride Mountain, cab sauvignon, 2003 for an encore. Greatest wines!
Friday NIGHT TASTINGS, January 23, 2008
Uncle N being away in the carib south seas, we had a modest tasting; present were :Uncles Jimmy, Piroca, Winepath and E.
The tastings included: Clio 2006 (wonderful as usual, a 3+); El Felino cab sauvignon (Argentina, Paul Hobbs, 2006 -not bad, a 2+) and Mitolo, G.A.M., 2005, a Mc Laren Vale shiraz, a 2 (which had improved after opening, to a 2+ within 24 hours). We did not take photos of the labels this time; it was an eventful evening nevertheless. Uncle E was disappointed with the Mitolo, but this was an interesting wine which needed decanting.
The tastings included: Clio 2006 (wonderful as usual, a 3+); El Felino cab sauvignon (Argentina, Paul Hobbs, 2006 -not bad, a 2+) and Mitolo, G.A.M., 2005, a Mc Laren Vale shiraz, a 2 (which had improved after opening, to a 2+ within 24 hours). We did not take photos of the labels this time; it was an eventful evening nevertheless. Uncle E was disappointed with the Mitolo, but this was an interesting wine which needed decanting.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Wine tasting of January 16, 2009
The 2nd tasting of the year and all regulars (Winepath, Uncle-E, Jimmy, Piroca and Uncle-N) as well as Grasshopper were in attendance. We tasted 5 wines; except for one, all were quite good. As usual, all were blind tasted.
1. El Nido Clio 2006, score=3
Nice floral nose with vanilla and slight earthiness on the nose. (After cover was lifted, suddenly, Piroca smelled coconuts--- Aah, power of suggestion). Nice fruits forward wine with mixed black and red fruits with nice firm tannin. This is a nice wine. Australian Shiraz, Argentinean Malbec were suggested. Cab+Merlot or Merlot from California was also suggested. As usual, all were wrong. We should have identified this wine since we all tasted it more than once before and we liked this wine. This is 06 Clio.
“The consulting winemaker at Bodegas El Nido is Chris Ringland of Barossa Valley fame. Clio is 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 70% Monastrell (from 63-year-old vines) which received malolactic fermentation in new oak followed by 26 months of aging in new French and American barriques.” “96 pts Robert Parker on the 2005 vintage, 97 pts Robert Paker on the 04 vintatge, 93 pts Robert Parker on the 2003 vintage”
We agree that 04 is the best but o6 is close behind. The last time we tasted this, we gave 3+~4. Now, we getting bit stingy in giving out the scores.
2. Vena Antigua 2005, score=1+~2
Nose has sardine action and rusted metal (sardines in a open can which has rust on it), some black pepper as well but nose is not particularly pleasant. Palate is rather simple without much fruits and flat ending in mild tannin. It is very simple tasting. Cheap shiraz or cab or may be Italian was suggested. This is the next up from Two-Buck Chuck but for a $5 wine, it is better than some of $10 wines. Vena Antigua 2005 from Argentina.
“A blend of equal parts of Bonarda and Sangiovese, this is the wine to keep on hand for all occassions! Fruit driven, smooth, and well structured, Vina Antigua is the perfect accompaniment to summertime barbeques and cold weather comfort foods such as hearty soups, stews, and roasts. Bodega Aranda produces Vina Antigua from several hundred of acres of estate vineyards near their winery in Santa Blanca, 20 miles east of Mendoza, Argentina. Other vineyards produce Cabernet, Malbec, Barbera, and Chardonnay and several vineyards have been certified organic.”
We are not sure this one “fruit driven”.
3. Colonial Estate Explorateur Shiraz 2005, Score=3
Nice “syrah” nose with black pepper and plum. Palate is smoky plum with mixed black fruits, which lead to nice mild tannin. Initially, ones who tasted were in the opinion that this was Australian Shiraz. But other tasters over-ruled to say this was American cab. This happened to be Colonial Estate Explorateur Shiraz 2005. This one has a good PQR.
“The blockbuster, inky/ruby/purple-hued 2005 L’Explorateur Shiraz offers sweet aromas of blackberries, white pepper, licorice, and graphite. While full-bodied, powerful, and rich, it also displays striking finesse and elegance, no doubt because of its aging in French oak. It should last for 15 or more years.” Score: 95. —Robert Parker.
4. Lewelling St. Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, score=3
Nose is bit closed but has nice complex black fruits with hints of minerals and mint. Palate is fruit forward in the New World style, nice smooth mid palate ending in silky but firm tannin. Everything about this wine said well-made California cab. This is 2005 Lewelling St. Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Piroca blogged 04 vintage and gushed and gushed and gave "5". It appears 05 did not evoke such reaction from him (when blind tasted). Quoting him, "This creature is superb and deserving of all RP's accolades. The wine has great color, deep garnet/purple, almost black. The nose is exquisite and resembles mixed berry jam with hints of tire rubber, smoke and vanilla. The tasting experience is beyond pleasurable and I would venture to say that it is almost orgasmic. This is truly a chameleon of a wine as far as tastes goes. It starts by coating the taste buds with strong and sweet mixed berry flavors associated with vanilla, caramel and some dirt. In the mid palate it creates a nostalgic flavor revolution. It revoked all the flavors I have experienced throughout my entire life, good and bad. The finish is very long, going for over a whole minute. I suggest that you have this beast by itself or with food and be ready to experience your life parade in front of you."
92 points Robert Parker: "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a dense purple color along with a lovely perfume of burning charcoal embers and exceptionally pure creme de cassis fruit. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, stunning purity, a layered mouthfeel, and a long finish, it is an excellent Cabernet available at a bargain basement price by Napa Valley standards. Moreover, it should drink well for 15+ years. A super winery, Lewelling merits considerable attention for their Cabernet Sauvignons that are reminiscent of top-class Bordeaux Pauillacs possessing the extravagantly rich fruit of Napa."
5. Rudd Oakville Red 2005, score=3~3+
Nose is bit closed but nice ripe fruits of fig, cherry with hints of chocolate and tar. Palate is well crafted with nice forward black fruits, layers of vanilla, caramel, chocolate ending in firm assertive but nice tannin. This tasted like just beween totally fruit forward New World wines and more classic big Bordeaux. So we were wondering, “Was this high-end Cali cab or one of Spanish wines which tastes like high-end Cali Cab? Prioca just came back from Spain and he has fooled us so many times with Spanish wines like Alto Moncayo Aquilon. But this was indeed Cali Cab. Rudd 05.
One of us has blogged here about Rudd, 02 before. Quoting from that; “We had this with steak on the balcony overlooking Atlantic ocean and palm trees in candle lights. This 2002 Claret is Cab Sauv 79%, Cab Franc 11%, Petit Verdot 6% , Merlot 3% , and Malbec 3%. Aged 20 months in oak. We have a mixed feeling about this wine. The nose is very nice with floral, cherry, mineral and hint of camphor (cedar) and leather. We like the nose. The taste is rather austere Bordeaux-like. Oak and strong tannin are there with full mid palate and long finish. With the vacation atmosphere and nice steak, if this wine does not taste great, we are not sure if it is worth this price. We are not sure. By the way, RP 95.”
Compared to this description, 05 appears to moved an inch closer to New World style.
94 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)
"The 2005 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red turned out to be a final blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. There are around 2,300+ cases of this wine, which has a deep ruby/purple color and a beautifully sweet nose of blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some burning embers, spring flowers, cedar, and subtle wood. It is full-bodied and dense, with hints of espresso roast and chocolate in the mouth. Precise, pure, and rich, it is a beauty that I think will age for at least two or more decades."
1. El Nido Clio 2006, score=3Nice floral nose with vanilla and slight earthiness on the nose. (After cover was lifted, suddenly, Piroca smelled coconuts--- Aah, power of suggestion). Nice fruits forward wine with mixed black and red fruits with nice firm tannin. This is a nice wine. Australian Shiraz, Argentinean Malbec were suggested. Cab+Merlot or Merlot from California was also suggested. As usual, all were wrong. We should have identified this wine since we all tasted it more than once before and we liked this wine. This is 06 Clio.
“The consulting winemaker at Bodegas El Nido is Chris Ringland of Barossa Valley fame. Clio is 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 70% Monastrell (from 63-year-old vines) which received malolactic fermentation in new oak followed by 26 months of aging in new French and American barriques.” “96 pts Robert Parker on the 2005 vintage, 97 pts Robert Paker on the 04 vintatge, 93 pts Robert Parker on the 2003 vintage”
We agree that 04 is the best but o6 is close behind. The last time we tasted this, we gave 3+~4. Now, we getting bit stingy in giving out the scores.
2. Vena Antigua 2005, score=1+~2Nose has sardine action and rusted metal (sardines in a open can which has rust on it), some black pepper as well but nose is not particularly pleasant. Palate is rather simple without much fruits and flat ending in mild tannin. It is very simple tasting. Cheap shiraz or cab or may be Italian was suggested. This is the next up from Two-Buck Chuck but for a $5 wine, it is better than some of $10 wines. Vena Antigua 2005 from Argentina.
“A blend of equal parts of Bonarda and Sangiovese, this is the wine to keep on hand for all occassions! Fruit driven, smooth, and well structured, Vina Antigua is the perfect accompaniment to summertime barbeques and cold weather comfort foods such as hearty soups, stews, and roasts. Bodega Aranda produces Vina Antigua from several hundred of acres of estate vineyards near their winery in Santa Blanca, 20 miles east of Mendoza, Argentina. Other vineyards produce Cabernet, Malbec, Barbera, and Chardonnay and several vineyards have been certified organic.”
We are not sure this one “fruit driven”.
3. Colonial Estate Explorateur Shiraz 2005, Score=3Nice “syrah” nose with black pepper and plum. Palate is smoky plum with mixed black fruits, which lead to nice mild tannin. Initially, ones who tasted were in the opinion that this was Australian Shiraz. But other tasters over-ruled to say this was American cab. This happened to be Colonial Estate Explorateur Shiraz 2005. This one has a good PQR.
“The blockbuster, inky/ruby/purple-hued 2005 L’Explorateur Shiraz offers sweet aromas of blackberries, white pepper, licorice, and graphite. While full-bodied, powerful, and rich, it also displays striking finesse and elegance, no doubt because of its aging in French oak. It should last for 15 or more years.” Score: 95. —Robert Parker.
4. Lewelling St. Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, score=3 Nose is bit closed but has nice complex black fruits with hints of minerals and mint. Palate is fruit forward in the New World style, nice smooth mid palate ending in silky but firm tannin. Everything about this wine said well-made California cab. This is 2005 Lewelling St. Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Piroca blogged 04 vintage and gushed and gushed and gave "5". It appears 05 did not evoke such reaction from him (when blind tasted). Quoting him, "This creature is superb and deserving of all RP's accolades. The wine has great color, deep garnet/purple, almost black. The nose is exquisite and resembles mixed berry jam with hints of tire rubber, smoke and vanilla. The tasting experience is beyond pleasurable and I would venture to say that it is almost orgasmic. This is truly a chameleon of a wine as far as tastes goes. It starts by coating the taste buds with strong and sweet mixed berry flavors associated with vanilla, caramel and some dirt. In the mid palate it creates a nostalgic flavor revolution. It revoked all the flavors I have experienced throughout my entire life, good and bad. The finish is very long, going for over a whole minute. I suggest that you have this beast by itself or with food and be ready to experience your life parade in front of you."
92 points Robert Parker: "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a dense purple color along with a lovely perfume of burning charcoal embers and exceptionally pure creme de cassis fruit. Full-bodied with sweet tannin, stunning purity, a layered mouthfeel, and a long finish, it is an excellent Cabernet available at a bargain basement price by Napa Valley standards. Moreover, it should drink well for 15+ years. A super winery, Lewelling merits considerable attention for their Cabernet Sauvignons that are reminiscent of top-class Bordeaux Pauillacs possessing the extravagantly rich fruit of Napa."
5. Rudd Oakville Red 2005, score=3~3+Nose is bit closed but nice ripe fruits of fig, cherry with hints of chocolate and tar. Palate is well crafted with nice forward black fruits, layers of vanilla, caramel, chocolate ending in firm assertive but nice tannin. This tasted like just beween totally fruit forward New World wines and more classic big Bordeaux. So we were wondering, “Was this high-end Cali cab or one of Spanish wines which tastes like high-end Cali Cab? Prioca just came back from Spain and he has fooled us so many times with Spanish wines like Alto Moncayo Aquilon. But this was indeed Cali Cab. Rudd 05.
One of us has blogged here about Rudd, 02 before. Quoting from that; “We had this with steak on the balcony overlooking Atlantic ocean and palm trees in candle lights. This 2002 Claret is Cab Sauv 79%, Cab Franc 11%, Petit Verdot 6% , Merlot 3% , and Malbec 3%. Aged 20 months in oak. We have a mixed feeling about this wine. The nose is very nice with floral, cherry, mineral and hint of camphor (cedar) and leather. We like the nose. The taste is rather austere Bordeaux-like. Oak and strong tannin are there with full mid palate and long finish. With the vacation atmosphere and nice steak, if this wine does not taste great, we are not sure if it is worth this price. We are not sure. By the way, RP 95.”
Compared to this description, 05 appears to moved an inch closer to New World style.
94 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)
"The 2005 Oakville Estate Proprietary Red turned out to be a final blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. There are around 2,300+ cases of this wine, which has a deep ruby/purple color and a beautifully sweet nose of blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some burning embers, spring flowers, cedar, and subtle wood. It is full-bodied and dense, with hints of espresso roast and chocolate in the mouth. Precise, pure, and rich, it is a beauty that I think will age for at least two or more decades."
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Wine Tasting on 1-9-09
This was the first tasting of year 2009. Present were Winpath, Jimmy, and Uncle-N. Piroca was gallivanting around Spain and Uncle-E was absent due to other urgent business. We blind tasted 4 wines; all of them good but not outstanding and again, we proved ourselves that none of us (at least three of us) could tell anything about wine (for that matter, anything else).
1. Possums Vineyard Shiraz 2005, score=2
Nose has slightest funk with cherry, dusty minerals. Palate shows jammy fruits with rather strong acidity ending in mild tannin. Not bad but rather simple and jammy fruits with slight sweet note may not be for everybody’s taste. Consensus was California Merlot but again, we are so wrong. This is Possums Vineyard Shiraz 2005 from McLaren Vale. The name came from names of the joint owners Dr. John Possingham and Ms Carol Summers. Judging from the pictures of the animals on the label, Australian Possum is quite different from North American (Op)possum.
From the Winery web page “A full bodied wine with purple and violet hues with flavors of ripe berry fruits and smoky oak characters from ageing in a mixture of French and American oak barrels. Awarded 4 Stars Wine State magazine April 2008”.
2. Andrew Will Red Champoux Vineyard Yakima Valley 2000, Score=2+
Dark garnet color with nice nose of black cherry with hints of wet leather, tar and green pepper but no funk. Palate is bit austere but nice black fruits leading to firm but not too bitter tannin. The tasters were suggesting Spanish for no reason. This happened to be red meritage (Bordeaux style) from Washington State.
"An assemblage of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Merlot. Its blackberry and plum-scented nose leads to a thick, fat, lushly textured core of cassis liqueur, blackberries, and cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it is a rich, deep, beautifully crafted offering. Drink it over the next 10 years." 90 Points - Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s, The Wine Advocate, Issue 144.
3. Havens Black & Blue 2005, Score=2+ ~ 3
Nose is rather complex with strong jus de viande and herbs (rosemary, sage) in addition to cedar. Palate shows good black fruits, particularly blueberry, with nice firm tannin. Tasters suggested European and South American as an origin but they were all wrong. This is from Havens Vineyards in Napa.
Our ultimate expert says; 93 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)
"Slightly better than the 2004, the 2005 retains the same style, but possesses better acidity, a deeper color, and a fleshier, richer mouthfeel. Havens co-ferments the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon (which can't be easy) for the Black and Blue Proprietary Red Wine, and in 2005, the result is a seamless, full-bodied, opulent, dense ruby/purple-hued wine with a sweet nose of camphor, acacia flowers, blackberries, pepper, and a hint of roasted meats. This is a ripe, refreshing effort because of the good acidity this vintage provided. It should drink well for a decade or more."
4. Havens Merlot 2005, score=2+ ~ 3
This tasted like a good Cali Cab. Nice color with good nose of vanilla and oak. Palate is also fruit forward with black cherry and nice tannin and oak-derived tastes. We thought this was Cali cab but was Merlot. This is just coincidence that both of us brought Havens wines!
winemaker's notes:
“Our 2005 Napa Valley Merlot is now showing the potential of this vintage: bright fruit, layers of complexity, charming texture. It is a wine of texture, engaging the sense of depth on the palate. In the choice between immediacy and complexity, this wine leans ever so slightly to complexity, a tendency we are happy with. But you will enjoy it from the first taste, since 2005 gives us plenty of ripe fruit character to enjoy, even as it teases us with interesting notes we can’t quite name.
“Good ruby-red. Reticent aromas of black cherry, redcurrant, licorice and tobacco leaf. Juicy, leanish and moderately concentrated, with a red currant flavor complicated by a floral element. A bit dry and dusty on the back end, in need of more thrust." Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 88 points.
1. Possums Vineyard Shiraz 2005, score=2Nose has slightest funk with cherry, dusty minerals. Palate shows jammy fruits with rather strong acidity ending in mild tannin. Not bad but rather simple and jammy fruits with slight sweet note may not be for everybody’s taste. Consensus was California Merlot but again, we are so wrong. This is Possums Vineyard Shiraz 2005 from McLaren Vale. The name came from names of the joint owners Dr. John Possingham and Ms Carol Summers. Judging from the pictures of the animals on the label, Australian Possum is quite different from North American (Op)possum.
From the Winery web page “A full bodied wine with purple and violet hues with flavors of ripe berry fruits and smoky oak characters from ageing in a mixture of French and American oak barrels. Awarded 4 Stars Wine State magazine April 2008”.
2. Andrew Will Red Champoux Vineyard Yakima Valley 2000, Score=2+Dark garnet color with nice nose of black cherry with hints of wet leather, tar and green pepper but no funk. Palate is bit austere but nice black fruits leading to firm but not too bitter tannin. The tasters were suggesting Spanish for no reason. This happened to be red meritage (Bordeaux style) from Washington State.
"An assemblage of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Merlot. Its blackberry and plum-scented nose leads to a thick, fat, lushly textured core of cassis liqueur, blackberries, and cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it is a rich, deep, beautifully crafted offering. Drink it over the next 10 years." 90 Points - Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s, The Wine Advocate, Issue 144.
3. Havens Black & Blue 2005, Score=2+ ~ 3Nose is rather complex with strong jus de viande and herbs (rosemary, sage) in addition to cedar. Palate shows good black fruits, particularly blueberry, with nice firm tannin. Tasters suggested European and South American as an origin but they were all wrong. This is from Havens Vineyards in Napa.
Our ultimate expert says; 93 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)
"Slightly better than the 2004, the 2005 retains the same style, but possesses better acidity, a deeper color, and a fleshier, richer mouthfeel. Havens co-ferments the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon (which can't be easy) for the Black and Blue Proprietary Red Wine, and in 2005, the result is a seamless, full-bodied, opulent, dense ruby/purple-hued wine with a sweet nose of camphor, acacia flowers, blackberries, pepper, and a hint of roasted meats. This is a ripe, refreshing effort because of the good acidity this vintage provided. It should drink well for a decade or more."
4. Havens Merlot 2005, score=2+ ~ 3This tasted like a good Cali Cab. Nice color with good nose of vanilla and oak. Palate is also fruit forward with black cherry and nice tannin and oak-derived tastes. We thought this was Cali cab but was Merlot. This is just coincidence that both of us brought Havens wines!
winemaker's notes:
“Our 2005 Napa Valley Merlot is now showing the potential of this vintage: bright fruit, layers of complexity, charming texture. It is a wine of texture, engaging the sense of depth on the palate. In the choice between immediacy and complexity, this wine leans ever so slightly to complexity, a tendency we are happy with. But you will enjoy it from the first taste, since 2005 gives us plenty of ripe fruit character to enjoy, even as it teases us with interesting notes we can’t quite name.
“Good ruby-red. Reticent aromas of black cherry, redcurrant, licorice and tobacco leaf. Juicy, leanish and moderately concentrated, with a red currant flavor complicated by a floral element. A bit dry and dusty on the back end, in need of more thrust." Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 88 points.
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