Wine Tasting on 5-15-09

We had a rather small tasting. Present were Piroca, Winepath, Jimmy and Uncle-N with late arrival of Uncle-E. We blind tasted 4 wines and there were some major difference in opinions.

1. Cedar Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon “Hagen’s reserve” 2005, score=2+~3

Color is nice dark garnet. Nose is classic with nice black cherry, cedar and cigar box (by Piroca). Palate is fruit forward with mixed black fruits such as black cherry mixed with plum ending in mild well-integrated tannin and reasonably long finish. Consensus was New World cab or cab blend most probably Cali Cab.

“The Palmazes bought a forgotten stone winery, a fine old house badly in need of renovation, and acres of land that had once produced fine Napa wines. The little valley had been the site of Cedar Knoll Vineyard and Winery, founded in 1881 by Henry Hagen, one of Napa Valley's pioneer winemakers. Henry Hagen produced wines that garnered many awards, including a silver medal at the Paris Exposition of 1889. During that era, Cedar Knoll was one of Napa's premier wineries. The vineyards survived the Wine Country’s phylloxera infestation in the 1890s, but Prohibition was fatal. The winery fell into disrepair and the vineyards lay fallow for nearly eighty years. Today, the vineyards are burgeoning, the restored Hagen house is a family home again, and the winery has been reinvented.”
Tasting Notes : “Ripe concentrated fruit are the core of this estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon with layers of blackberry, cocoa and plum mingled with toasty oak. The rich flavors are balanced with ripe supple tannins adding elegance and complexity to the persistent finish. This wine has great potential and will continue to develop thru 2014”

2. Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha 2005, Score=2+

Color is slightly lighter than our usual Cab but too dark for Pinot or Burgundy. Came in a sloped shoulder bottle, which immediately limits the choices. Nose has some controversy; some felt is has a chemical or antiseptic character, some felt no such a trait and sensed nice red fruits with mineral dusts. Palate is rather light with mostly red fruits with strawberry overtone, some herbs specifically rosemary ending in rather mild but “progressive” tannin which lingers and feels more tannic after some time in the mouth. Piroca felt that the mid-palate is thin and no body to it. Others thought this was bit lighter side but otherwise a very pleasant wine. Rhone varietals such as Syrah, Syrah blend, Grenache etc was mentioned and settled in French Rhone and nobody mentioned Spain despite this was brought by Uncle-N.

"The unoaked 2005 Las Rocas Garnacha is sourced from low yielding vineyards ranging in age from 70-100 years. It gives up attractive aromas of kirsch, raspberries, pepper, and damp earth. This is followed by a broad, full-flavored wine with a supple texture and no hard edges. Drink this pleasure-packed wine over the next 2-3 years." RP=90, Wine Advocate.

“One of our most popular value wines. This Garnacha is a special project of importer Eric Solomon, who discovered these ancient high altitude Grenache vineyards (70-100 years old), and brand named the wine Las Rocas”.

3. Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Score=2+

Nose has a slightest hint of funk but otherwise nice with floral note with violet. Good upfront fruits mostly black fruits leading to nice firm tannin. Definitely new world style and somewhat similar to the first wine we tasted. Cab or can blend. Origin could be anywhere from California, Argentina or Australia.
For sure we have tasted other vintages of Cornerstone before but could not find it in our blog.

“This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon but in a more fruit-driven style: aromas of deep cherry, lots of blackberry, rhubarb, bright cherry syrup, tea, and vanilla. A soft, sweet entry leads to very vibrant fruit nestled in texture that is full, rich and round. Even more intense fresh berry flavors linger on the finish”.

4. Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, Score=2-~3

There were some differences in opinion on this wine. Some felt the nose is very funky with basement of sweaty feet and sulfa smell, others thought it has minerals but no funk. This one is a bit austere upfront with some layers of black fruits with rather flat mid palate ending is firm tannin. Definitely Bordeaux style. Prioca felt this wine has complexity and layers of flavor, others (esp Uncle-N) did not agree and it was the least favorite of Uncle-N and most favorite of Piroca, thus wide range of the score. We tasted 1999 Dunn on November 6, 08. Uncle-N brought the wine and it was referred to as the “stinker” but even then only Prioca liked it. Interesting.

WA 89-91: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“Sweet black currant, floral, blueberry, and cassis characteristics emerge from the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. With medium body, and not the power and depth apparent in other Napa bottlings, it is a more elegant, restrained effort that will be ready to drink in 3-5 years. It should last for 15+ years.”

Wine Tasting on 5-9-09

We had a rather extravagant tasting in honor of our guest speaker and taster Uncle-G from Texas where viticulture and good wines are extremely plentiful. Present were Uncle-N, Jimmy, Winepath, Piroca, and Uncle-E with a guest appearance of honorable Uncle-G. We tasted 7 wines. We have a collection of interesting wines. Our guest taster proved to be very formidable.

1. Bell Cellars Napa Cabernet 2005, score=2+

This was the recommendation of Uncle-G. Nice cab nose without any funk and with some mineral dusts. Nice upfront sweet fruits with a bit bitter and acidic finish (mouth puckering). Spanish, Argentinean, Cab blend etc was suggested but most of us felt this is Cali cab. This turned out to be 2005 Bell Cabernet. Apparently P. Verdot, Merot, Malbec and Cab Franc are also added to this cab sauv. This one was just received this afternoon and may have not have had enough time to settle in and surely would have benefited from more aeration or decanting. Good solid cab.

“Our Cabernet sauvignon, deep ruby in color, has rich, ripe cherry, cassis and blackberry fruit aromas. Soft tannins and sweet oak combine with a gentle hint of pepper and spice to yield a full-bodied wine with excellent balance and a long lingering finish. The four different Cabernet clones give the wine a multi-layered dimension to the palate. The long growing season at the Truchard Vineyard in the cool Carneros district yields grapes with deep color and great natural acidity. The Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard on the Conn Creek alluvial fan adjacent to Caymus in Rutherford delivers classic mid-valley fruit and supple tannins and "Rutherford Dust" earth flavors. The Petit Verdot adds depth to the color and a tannic richness, while the Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet franc bring softness, acidity and fruit respectively. Crafted in a rich, concentrated European style, this wine pairs well with flavorful, full-bodied meals, and will develop a harmonious smoothness with age. Excellent today, the wine will also reward those with the patience to cellar it.” 91 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)

2. Château Pavie Macquin St. Emilion 2006, Score=3

This is an interesting wine. Nose is nice with black cherry and no funk (absolutely no funk). Palate shows somewhat restrained but plenty of fruits to begin and transitions into good supportive tannin with a chocolate note. Some thought it had a short finish, some disagreed. Some thought this could not be Bordeaux; too fruity and no funk. Uncle-G proclaimed this could be Bordeaux specifically 03 and some heated discussions ensued. Malbec, Timparanillo, Brunello were also mentioned as a possibility. This happened to be, indeed, Brodeaux, not 03 but 2006. (Uncle-G did one of his winner’s dances around the room routine.) This is from one of the Pavie estates, Pavie-Maquin. Quoteing from Wikipedia; “The winery is one of three Pavie estates, along with Château Pavie and Château Pavie-Decesse, located in the Right Bank of France’s Bordeaux wine region in the commune of Saint-Émilion in the department of Gironde. Having risen in esteem in the 1990s, it was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé in 2006.”
This kind of wine proves that some of the Bordeaux château are adapting new techniques like cold soaking and producing highly extracted wines without any basement smells.

Wine Advocate: “As of this vintage, Pavie Macquin is entitled to a premier grand cru classe designation in the revised classification of the wines of St.-Emilion (suspended in March because of pending litigation). Overseen by the dynamic duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt, the 2006, a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, should turn out to be one of the top wines of the vintage. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of charcoal, blackberries, blueberries, licorice, and smoke. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, it is nearly as prodigious as the virtually perfect 2005. An amazing wine for the vintage, it clearly emerges from a magnificent terroir. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030. Score range: 92-95. Score: 95”. —Robert Parker, April 2007.

Wine Spectator
“This is very, very good, with silky tannins, full body and a long finish. All in balance and rich. Floral, with lots of berry character. Very pretty wine. Score range: 92-94. Score: 94.” —James Suckling, 2007.

3. Chappellet "Signature" Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Score=3

Nose is nice with sweet cherry with floral note of violet and lilac without any funk. Palate is fruits-forward with nice firm tannin laced with caramel and chocolate. Nice lingering finish. Cali cab, Cab franc or possibly Rhone were mentioned. Some thought this tastes too sweet (not residual sugar sweet). We tasted 05 vintage on November 24, 2008 and gave a similar score.

94 points Wine Spectator: "Assertive herb, anise, blackberry and wild berry fruit is tight, firm, tannic and well-structured, picking up depth and length on the finish. Best from 2010 through 2016. 7,650 cases made."

WS Online Tasting Highlight April 27, 2009. “For more than 30 years, the "Signature" Cabernet Sauvignon has been Chappellet's flagship wine. The 2006 is balanced and graceful while still packing the power of mountain fruit. Freshly-bruised herbs, plum and cherry fruit and a hint of stone carry from the wine's bouquet to its bold palate. Lots of spicy oak lingers on the finish. Enjoy now with some decanting or lay down for a few years.”

4. Chateau Haut Brion Pessac-Leognan 2001, No Score

This is quite a change from the previous three. Color is brown indicating age or oxidation. Nose is interesting with meat juice, wet leather with spices. Palate is disappointing with rather austere start and flat ending. Most of us thought this is Bordeaux. But certainly not our favorite tonight. Some even thought this could be Burgundy. What a surprise! This is the almighty Chateau Haut Brion 2001. Now the discussion raged. Piroca who brought this thought all Haut Brion tasted this way. Uncle-G and E who apparently both drink Haut Brion and other expensive Bordeaux regularly said this was a bad bottle. Piroca retorted saying, “You never have blind-tasted this wine. The name of the wine certainly influences your assessment of this wine etc”. For the rest of us, regardless, this is not the wine we seek out.

Just to remind ourselves and again quoting from our ultimate source; “Château Haut-Brion is a Bordeaux wine estate, rated a First Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, the only estate from outside Médoc to be included. It is located in Pessac, Graves near the city of Bordeaux. Located in the Graves region, in the appellation Pessac-Léognan.”

Rating: 95
"Haut-Brion's 2001, which was bottled late (the end of September, 2003), possesses an unmistakable nobility as well as a burgeoning complexity. Plum/purple to the rim, this blend of 52% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc is playing it close to the vest, having closed down considerably after bottling. Nevertheless, it reveals pure notes of sweet and sour cherries, black currants, licorice, smoke, and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with excellent purity, firm tannin, and an angular, structured finish, it requires 5-7 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020+." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #153 (Robert Parker, 06/01/2004).

5. Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard Napa Valley 2002, Score=4

This one is easy. High-end Cali cab! Nice clean nose of black cherry. Upfront palate is loaded with lots of black fruits, nice oak-derived tastes characteristic of Cali Cab, nice smooth mouth feel and well-crafted but firm tannin. Only question is which one? One of the Haran estate wines? Merus? This turned out to be Araujo 02.

98-100 points Robert Parker: "A potential candidate for perfection is the exquisite 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard. A 1,650-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot made from extremely low yields, it boasts superb intensity, flavor, elegance, and nobility in addition to a marvelously complex nose of minerals, licorice, cedar, creme de cassis, vanilla, and spice. Exceptionally rich, nuanced, and precise, it is a magnificent expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that offers the elegance of a Bordeaux with the power and potency of Napa Valley Cabernet. A tour de force, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for up to two decades. Organic/biodynamic (not certified)”.

6. Familia Mayol Pircas Vineyard Bonarda 2006, score=2+

This is an interesting wine. Nose has minerals and some chemicals. Piroca noted a floral nose. Nice fruity wine with rather mild tannin. Merlot blend was mentioned. Uncle-G mentioned “Bonarda” from Argentina somehow (amazingly he was correct!).

TASTING NOTES from the Winery website:
“Intense color. Blue hints with violet hues characteristic of a complex Bonarda. Fresh and quite fragrant floral aromas. Light on the palate but rather spicy; with juicy mint flavours and fresh blackberries. Mild tannins. An easy wine to enjoy with light cheeses and pasta.” Just to educate our selves; “Bonard” apparently demotes at least three different grape varietals. One of them is called Charbono in California, which is grown in Argentina as Bonarda. A per our ultimate source Wikipedia “It originates in Savoie, where it is known as Corbeau or Douce Noir ("Sweet Black"), but is not the same as Piedmont's Dolcetto. This grape is known in Italy as Dolce Nero ("Sweet Black") and it is believed that the same translations of these two grape names has led to the frequently-quoted statement that they are the same grape. Dolcetto ripens early and makes a light, fruity wine, while Charbono is very late to ripen and makes wines of great substance.”

7. Radio-Coteau Zinfandel Von Weidlic 2006, score=2+

Nose has some black pepper. Nice palate with mixed fruits ending in mild tannin. Again Merlot blend was mentioned. Winepath uttered “Zim”. He was right.
I am not sure who’s tasting note this is.
“Bright boysenberry and raspberry bramble, cinnamon, milk chocolate, anise, iron, menthol, white flower and black pepper can be found on the sophisticated bouquet. The focused but supple midpalate tempers its berry, mineral and potpourri flavors with light tannins. The pure, juicy, midweight finish lingers with classic old–vine notes of berry bramble and pepper spice. Will drink through at least 2010.”

Wine Tasting on 5-1-09

It is already May and this turned out to be a small but interesting tasting. By coincidence, we blind tasted “Larkin” (father) and “Jack Larkin" (Son) Cab side by side. Present were Winepath, jimmy, Piroca, and Uncle N and a guest appearance by Lady-SEA. We tasted 5 wines but “GF” cab was the one and same from the previous tasting.

1. Glaymond Grenache Gerhard 2003, score=2~2+

Color is brown, either old or oxidized. Nose has minerals but alcoholic despite the fact it was served at the proper temperature. Upfront, there are mixed sweet red fruits especially raspberry, also plum, leading to well-integrated mild tannin and citrus kick. Very hot or alcoholic in the back end. After some aeration, the nose became a bit medicinal and the palate bit grapey. Some liked this wine and some did not. This is Glaymond Grenache 03 with alcohol content of 17.2%!!! We have never encountered a wine with this high an alcohol content. We are not sure if this wine was not properly stored (Piroca bought this at Addy Bassin) or this is how this wine is meant to be.

91 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)
"The 2003 Grenache Gerhard, which could pass for an Australian version of the eminent Henri Bonneau's Reserve des Celestins Chateauneuf du Pape, comes from 41-year-old vines. It is an enormously full-bodied, powerful offering with head-spinning levels of alcohol as well as a fascinating perfume of new saddle leather, plums, figs, cherry liqueur, melted licorice, roasted meats, and dried herbs. This huge, savory, fleshy, soft, velvety-textured red is a terrific expression of old vine Grenache. While it may be controversial, for true hedonists, it will be a wine of exquisite pleasure. Drink it over the next 5-7 years."

2. Jack Larkin Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Score=3

Color is nice dark red/garnet. Nose has slight earthiness but bit closed. Palate is loaded with good black fruits with usual suspects of vanilla and caramel leading to firm tannin. This tastes like a classic Cali Cab. We met with both Father Larkin (who was drinking beer), Son Jack and his wife and baby at the last year’s barrel tasting. So happened Piroca brought this and Uncle N brought “Larkin” Cab (see #4 below).

Here is some info:
“The second release of Jack Larkin is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced solely from the rugged earth of Pritchard Hill's Melanson Vineyard. Meticulously farmed by John Arns, this vineyard is set along a boulder-strewn hillside with distinct southern and western exposures nearly 1200 feet above the valley floor.”

“From a vineyard overlooking Lake Hennessy on Pritchard Hill, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a black/ruby/purple color as well as sweet aromas of charcoal, acacia flowers, blue and blackberries, and subtle smoky oak. With full body, beautiful purity and density, and a long finish revealing well-concealed tannin, it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and should keep for two decades. Score: 92.” —Robert Parker, December 2007.

3. Go Figure Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Score=3

Uncle N brought this for the second time (please see the 4-24-09 tasting blog) with the Larkin 05 Cab. The thinking was: “GF” is from Oakville area so it might be Larkin--Let's compare them side-by-side. Actually, everyone thought that this wine is very similar to “Jack Larkin” and also similar to “Larkin”. We obviously do not know if GF 05 cab is from Larkin but the difference among these three wines is very subtle.








4. Larkin Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Score=3

Again, this wine is similar to GF and “Jack Larkin”. Some noted spices especially Rosemary and bit more pronounced bitter edge in the back end.
Wine Advocate, December 200, Rating: 91+ points
"A dense, burly, muscular effort is the dark purple-colored 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit, structure, tannin, and potential, it should be cellared for 2-3 years, and consumed over the following two decades." -Robert Parker




5. Viña Cobos "Felino" Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Score=3

This wine is also not much different from the last three. Nose has minerals but it tasted like well made California Cab. Since Winepath left the bronze colored foil on the bottle, some mentioned “Oh, Is this Cobos?, It may have “Cocodrilo” on the label etc. We may not be able to tell one wine from the other by taste but we can tell by the shape, weight, color of the bottle and color of the foil. In short, we use all the information we can gather to impress others. We have tasted Cobos Malbec (04), El Felino Malbec (06), and Cocodrilo cab (06) in the past.

91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The purple-colored 2007 Felino Cabernet Sauvignon offers up spicy black currants and blackberry. Smooth-textured and layered, it has excellent balance and a lengthy, pure finish. It’s hard to think of a better value in Cabernet Sauvignon. Vina Cobos is Paul Hobbs’ winery in Mendoza. He is better known (at least for the moment) to USA connoisseur/collectors for his namesake winery in Napa Valley which has received many accolades (including 100-point scores from Robert Parker) for its Cabernets, Pinot Noirs, and Chardonnays. What is less well known is that Hobbs is a pioneer in fine wine production in Argentina, having started there in 1988 with Nicolas Catena. Senor Catena gives Hobbs much credit for the success of Catena-Zapata’s Chardonnay program. He has since extended his consulting efforts both in Argentina and Chile but the capstone of Hobbs’ work is Vina Cobos which began in 1998 and moved into its own winery facility in 2007." (Dec. 2008)