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.”