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."