Wine Tasing on September 25, 2009

Present were our usual, Piroca, Jimmy, Winepath, and Uncle-N. We blind tasted 4 good wines. Uncle-E is somewhere in Europe (we think). Two wines are from California and one from South Africa and Australia, respectively.

1.  d'Arenberg "The Dead Arm" Shiraz McLaren Vale South Australia 2006, Score=3+

Color is nicely dark. Nose is pleasant with chocolate and plum without any funk. Palate is very smooth with upfront mixed black fruit especially black cherry, leadig to nice big but well-integrated tannin. It has nice long finish.  It felt a bit hot (?high alcohol). All thought, this is in a New World style. Cali Cab and cab blend were mentioned. Spanish was thrown in for good measure. This is one of our past favorites; d'Arenberg "The Dead Arm" Shiraz from McLaren Vale South Australia. We've tasted "The Dead Arm" before. Several times before we started this blog. Then, after we started the blog Unlce-N posted a tasting note on the 2002 vintage.

95+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:  "D’Arenberg’s flagship is the 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz. Opaque purple-colored, the nose is reticent but gives up aromas of meat, bacon, game, truffles, blueberry, and blackberry. Firm, layered, and complex, this beautifully rendered Shiraz demands a decade of cellaring. It will be superb from 2018 to 2036." (02/09) 

93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 08: "Opaque ruby. Blackberry and candied cherry on the nose, with suave graphite and anise qualities adding complexity. Deep and rich but also focused, with powerful dark berry preserve flavors and a late kick of iron. There's lots going on here, and this energetic wine is still painfully young. Finishes with mounting sweetness and a strong echo of minerals." 

91 points Wine Spectator: "Lush and ripe, with an earthy animal component to the generous cherry, currant and exotic spice flavors that keep sailing on the long, supple finish. Drink now through 2016." (09/09) "

2. Burgess Cellars Enveiere Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 2002, Score=3

Again the color is just fine and dark. The nose has a strong herbal component, rosemary, sage, lavender and some woodsy note. No funk. Piroca described a "rubber tire" nose which he said he liked (the rest of us did not sense this smell). The palate is a bit austere but still has plenty of nice black fruit coming through. The ending has a nice firm tannin which, for some, tasted a bit bitter. The finish was reasonably long. Despite some austere characteristics, everybody felt this was from the New World and mentioned California Cab blend, with special identification of a cab franc component due to the herbal nose. Unlce-E who is a green pepper specialist was not here to comment if this wine had "green pepper". Spanish and syrah were also mentioned in passing. This is indeed a Califronia cab blend, Burgess Cellars Enveiere 2002. The blend consists of  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petite Verdot with alcohol content of 14.3%.

Jonathan Newman – 93/100: "The delicious Red meritage is the marquee wine produced by long-time Napa pioneer and proprietor, Tom Burgess. Very ripe aromas of blackberry spice, violets and plum. A big wine with a very lush mouth feel with expressive flavors of black currants, blackberries, dark chocolate and vanilla spice. Both dense and round with sustained intensity and length that saturate the entire palate. From their Mountain Vineyard, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, aged mainly in new French Oak barrels. Will pair nicely with a porterhouse steak, cassoulet, leg of lamb and roasted meats."

3. Behrens & Hitchcock 4 blocks syrah 2002, score=3+

This one came in a sloped shoulder bottle. When it was poured, the color was inky black. Before going any further, this was identified as a syrah. The nose is bit closed but has nice black fruit, plum and cedar. The palate is loaded with upfront black fruit, black berry, blue berry, black cherry, plum with nice smooth mouth feel and big but nice silky tannin. Long lingering finish. Bit of herbal or parsley aftertaste. Because of ths rather bold taste, we felt this must be a high-end Australian Shiraz but this is from California. Behrens & Hitchcock to be exact. This winery has become one of Piroca's favorites. He brought several other B&H in the past but we have only one entry in our blog.

Producer note: "The husband and wife duo of Lisa Drinkward and Les Behrens got their start with their award-winning restaurant, Folie Douce in Arcata, California. When loyal clientele Joe Bob Hitchcock and his wife Lily learned of Les' thoughts of winemaking, the couple decided to put up some capital to join him in his endeavor. The first 175 cases were produced in 1993, and grew to 750 over the next three years. In 1997, the vineyard moved from Arcata to Napa Valley, where Behrens & Hitchcock eventually decided to purchase acreage on Spring Mountain. The team worked hard to produce its first single-vineyard wines during the 1999 harvest. Today the winery is seemingly an overnight success, producing single-lot Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petite Syrah of outstanding quality. "

91 points WS: "Rich, firm, concentrated and well-focused, with earthy, beefy blueberry and wild berry flavors that are sharply focused, complex and expansive, ending with a long, persistent finish."

4. Capaia  (South Africa) 2005, Score=2+

This one takes the prize in the distinctive nose category.  The nose is very pungent with a metallic, soy sauce, and as some said, a bit farty smell. Winepath  uttered "handle-bar mustache" to describe this nose. We are not sure what that means but it somehow conveys the peculiar characteristic of this wine's nose. The palate is better than the nose. Nice upfront black fruit with smoky note ending in good big tannin. Bit short for finish. I could not get over this nose but some thought it was OK. Cab-Syrah blend from Australia, Marbec-Cab blend from Argentina etc were suggested but ths one is from South Africa.

Capaia Winery was established in 1997 by a German couple, Ingrid Baroness and Alexander Baron von Essen near Cape Town.

91 Points - Wine Spectator: "This is Capaia's flagship blend of traditional Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The wine displays complex aromas of meat, spice, tobacco and dark berry fruit. These are supported by a deliciously full, well balanced palate packed with layers of flavor that linger beautifully. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration, and so it may form a deposit with time. It is therefore recommended that it be decanted before enjoying. Only 600 cases imported. "

This one requires some translation but is the wine makers description of this wine.

"Die Aromavielfalt, die Intensität und die Reintönigkeit im Bouquet lassen aufhorchen: Ein Genusserlebnis der besten Art kündigt sich in der Nase an. Stoff und Struktur in eindrücklicher Ausprägung und von nahezu vollendeter Harmonie prägen die Sinneseindrücke im Gaumen und bestimmen das anhaltende Finale. Der CAPAIA, vom international anerkannten Oenologen Stephan Graf von Neipperg gekeltert, überzeugt vollends durch Dichte, Nachhaltigkeit und Ausgewogenheit. Dieses Monument gehört zu den ganz grossen Weinen dieser Welt!"

As per Google translation. "Listen attentively to the aroma variety, intensity and cleanness in the bouquet: a pleasurable experience, the best way is heralded in the nose. Fabric and structure in an impressive expression and nearly perfect harmony characterize the sensations on the palate and to determine the persistent finish. The CAPAIA, pressed by the internationally renowned winemaker Stephan Graf von Neipperg entirely convinced by density, sustainability and balance. This monument is among the very great wines of the world!"

Wine Tasting on September 18, 2009

Present were our core members; Unlce-N, Jimmy, Winepath and Piroca. We blind tasted 4 wines--all Ok but none outstanding. We are definitely getting jaded. Since we all had rather difficult week, this tasting was wonderful to divert from what we had to do for the whole week.

1. Laird Family Estate Sweetwater Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, score=3+

Color is nice dark garnet. Nose is very pleasant with cherry and caramel, no funk whatsoever. Palate is loaded with nice fruit upfront. Nice oak related flavors (but not overly oaked) leading to firm but well-integrated tannin. Initially, some felt it had a acidic kick. We noticed, however, when we came back to this wine after tasting all the other wines that apparently the acidity dissipated after some aeration time. Most of us thought it has a nice lingering finish with chocolate after taste. Although everybody's frist reaction was Cab...they got cautious. Winepath said "trying to be California cab but it is not", Piroca initially thought this could be Rhone meritage and then changed to Bordeaux blends but refrained from saying from where. Especially after coming back to this wine after tastig all the other wines, our tasters liked this wine. This is a very small production single vineyard cab from the Laird family winery. Only 360 cases were made and the wine maker is Paul Hobbs.

"Laird Family Estate owns more than 2000 acres in Napa Valley making Laird one of the largest family owned vineyard companies. Their state of the art winery is located in the Oak Knoll District...Internationally acclaimed winemaker, Paul Hobbs has been making Laird Wines since first Vintage in 1999."

"The Laird family only occasionally gets Cabernet Sauvignon from their Sweetwater Ranch in Napa Valley– most goes to winemaker Alison Doran for Levendi Vineyard wines. Sweetwater Ranch is located in Napa’s Oak Knoll District; a prime vineyard on the site of Laird family homes, at the end of Big Ranch Road."

2. Burgess Cellars Napa Valley Syrah 2005, score=2~2+

This one came in a sloped shoulder bottle which limited the choices. Color is nicely dark and as soon as it was poured we all said "syrah".  Nose has mineral and plum but not much Jus du viande or black pepper. Palate has upfront black fruit with plum. Prioca thought midpalate is bit thin with rather tannic finish. Nice sustaining finish. Some did not like this one but some did. Our tasters thought that this is too light to be an Aussie Shiraz. North American syrah as well as possibly French syrah such from Rhone or Languedoc were mentioned.
This is from our old favarite Burgess. We liked their cab very much.

Wine Enthusiast – 92 Rating!

"The ripeness of the grapes is wonderfully demonstrated in the richness of the fruit. The aromas of spice and varietal character are quite pronounced and complimented by oak tones. The extended vintage is reflected in the layered complexity and beautiful aromas. This style of wine is a great accompaniment to most foods as it exhibits the flavors of a Mediterranean-style wine which over the years has been developed to go with modern cuisine."

3. Blue Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Blue California Wine 2006, score=2

Color is garnet and bit thinner than the previous two. Nose is somewhat closed but smells a bit hot or alcoholic and "lacquer"-like  and slight "funk". Palate is austere with muted black fruit upfront with rather thin mid-palate leading to firm tannin and bit of acidic finish. Piroc said (initially) Zin from Paso Robles 2006 (of course he was shooting from the hip). Uncle-N thought European orgin such as from Italy (?Burunello) or Spanish (?Temperanillo). All were wrong. This is from Blue Rock. Earlier in our wine tasting, Prica brought their Cab (do not know the vintage) since he liked the label. We liked it although it was bit on the tannic side. Later, Uncle-N brought Blue Rock Cab but we like it then. This one is not as good as these. Too austere for our tastes.

"2006 Blue Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Blue - The 2006 Blue Rock Cabernet Baby Blue The excellent 2006 vintage gave us a lot of great wine to work with and 55% of our Cabernet production went into the making of our second wine, Baby Blue. This Cabernet is 100% Estate fruit and is produced with the same precision as the more expensive Blue Rock. The wine spends 20 months in 100% French oak and has been bottled unfiltered. As a result, Baby Blue is delicious on release and is intended for mid-term cellaring.Baby Blue is very much in the spirit of Blue Rock with similar texture and flavors only with less depth and structure for longer aging. It is a great value. This is a California Wine."

4. Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach  2003, Score=3

Color is nicely dark. Nose has some chemical or turpentine character and cedar. Palate has austere fruit upfront but nice complex mid-palate ending is good firm tannin with lingering finish. All thought this is old world. Italian Brunello or super Tuscan were mentioned especially with its cedary character. But we are again wrong and this is from piorat, Spain. I could not find the exact grape composition but if I remember Piraca telling us, it is made of carignan, cabernet and something else.

94 Points Wine Spectator

"Cocoa, licorice, blueberry, mineral and floral notes mingle in this powerful and complex red. It has plenty of tannins, wood and alcohol, but all in balance. Dense and brooding now, it promises to sing with time. Best after 2007. 75 cases imported."

93 Points, Stephen Tanzer, IWC

"Bright ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of dark berries, violet and pepper. Suave, seamless and impressively deep; this has a voluptuous texture and great finesse. Dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors offer compelling ripeness without coming off as heavy or overly sweet. Very long and ripe on the finish."

Wine Tasing on Sptember 11, 2009

Present were the usual members; Uncles-N, E, Jimmy, Winepath, and Piroca. We blind tasted 5 wines with 3 in sloped shoulder bottles! On some occasions, such as this one, we are not really into tasting wines but end up doing more chatting.  Nonetheless we did our best to make tasting notes. In addition, this time, we had more widely divergent scores among our tasters than usual.

1. Flora Springs Out Of Sight Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, score=3

This is the least controversial of all the wines we tasted this evening. The color is a dark nice garnet. The nose is very pleasant with black cherry and oak. Some sensed a little funk. The palate is rather fruit-laden upfront with plum, raisin, black fruit leading to substantial but well-integrated tannin. Some felt it may be a bit over oaked. It has a good long lingering finish. Our consensus is California Cab but Spanish and Italian were mentioned in passing.

Robert Parker – 93 Rating

"Perhaps my favorite of this group is the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Out of Sight Vineyard. Dark ruby/purple (in fact, the most opaque of all these Cabernets), the wine exhibits creme de cassis, charcoal, acacia flower, and some high-class barrique and pain grille notes. The wine is full-bodied, powerful, rich, pure, layered, and deep. Drink it over the next 20+ years."

Wine makers note

"The 2005 Out-of-Sight Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits the vineyard’s classic “plumminess” with a rich mouthfeel and complex finish. There is an engaging bouquet of violets and black cherry, followed by richly extracted black fruit on the palate. The finish is long and elegant, enhanced by soft, sweet tannins. With its impeccable balance and elegant style, this wine can be enjoyed early for its youthful brilliance or aged for several years as its depth and complexity evolve."


2. Domaine Famille Ligneres Cabanon De Pascal 2002, score=1~2

This came in a sloped shoulder bottle which limits the types of wine this cold be. In any case, the color is ruby and light. The nose has some raisin character. The palate starts with (somewhat candied) red fruit ending in mild tannin. Not a complex wine but OK. Piroca felt the nose had strong funk -sulfur smell and deemed this wine undrinkable.  Winepath announced that this was from Rhone or Languedoc and granache. This is Granache (93% Grenache, 7% Mourvèdre) from the same vineyard we tasted syrah in the last tasting. “Le Cabanon” is a traditional small cabin built of dry stones, covered by canal tiles, and is located in a remote area of our vineyards. Pascal, the vineyard manager, and his Percheron horse, Bijou, used to take shelter there from the thunderstorms.

Wine Spectator – 88 Score

"Elegant for the appellation, with an array of lively red cherry, berry and plum flavors that linger with mineral and spice on the fresh finish. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2011."

3. Château Beauséjour  2000, Score=2

The color is dark with a brown tinge at the rim indicating age. Nose has definitive basement or farty funk with green vegetable (cooked spinach and asparagus). Palate is bit surprising. It has a good black fruit upfront and good firm tannin with a reasonable finish. The tasters thought Italian, maybe Super Tuscan but Unlce-E said that this was Bordeaux and he was right.  A surprising amount of fruit threw some of us off. It was made of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. We wondered if the vegetable nose may have come from the significant amount of Cab Franc. If this one did not have the funky nose, it would have reminded us somewhat of Ch. Pavie.

Robert Parker – 93 Rating

"Greatest Beau Sejour-Becot I've ever tasted. It put on weight during its elevage and appears spectacular. Overall flavor dimensions are noteworthy. Super-pure, fabulously extracted with high tannin, full body, thick texture, awesome richness and length."


4.  Stephne and Walker Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley 2008, Score=2+~3

This was a very unusual wine. It also came in a sloped shoulder bottle. Color is nicely dark with amazing purple hue. Immediately, Piroca said this is petite sirah. The only other wine which may have such a purple color may be Malbec. Nose is strongly "fig" with burned sugar/caramel. Palate is loaded with jammy fruit; fig, black fruit, plum, with smooth viscous mouth feel with interesting "fizzy" sensation leading to well-integrated tannin. There was no really acidic or lemony kick which one may associate with malbec.  In any case, Prioca is absolutely right on. This is a very small production wine produced near Winepath's chateau.

"We hand picked this small vineyard September 24, 2008.  The weather was playing tricks on us again , and it actually rained the morning after we picked these grapes.  It was a bold decision, but I chose these young vines because I hoped they would ripen early, before the rains. The vines are very young, this was the first crop (fourth leaf) so we see smaller berries with higher skin ratio - that means more color, flavor and fruit! The pick was a tremendous success and the grapes came to our winery at about 26.8 Brix.

We crushed the grapes into small, 1-ton-open-topped fermentation tanks.  We let the natural yeast start the fermentation by cold soaking the grapes for 4 days, and then we noticed the gradual start of the fermentation.  We added our own yeast and this Petite took off fast.  WE had fun (and a lot of hard work) "punching down" the fermenting must twice daily for 7 days before we pressed off and put directly into 2 year old, once filled - French oak barrels.  The wine finished Malo-lactic fermentation in these barrels and we aged the wine for 10 months on fermentation lees before bottling in August  2008."

5.  Radio Coteau Pinot Noir La Neblina 2006, score=2+

This one also came in a sloped shoulder bottle. Color is rose and thin. We all thought Pinot. Nose is minerals and  funk (as we learn later this should have been described as "earth and forest floor"). Palate has nice red fruit upfront, somewhat sweet tasting leading to nice mild tannin. So everybody thought this is Pinot Noir. Only question is if this is from Washington state, California, or France. Because of the funk nose, Burgundy was considered but we knew some North American Pinot also have slight funk. This was 2006 Radio Coteau Pinot Noir La Neblina. We have tasted other Radio-Coteau Zinfandel before (May 5, 09 the 7th wine).

Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 08=91 points

"Medium red. Explosively perfumed, offering a sexy array of dark berry, spice and floral scents, along with smoky minerality. Round and juicy, with deep black raspberry and blueberry flavors complemented by cinnamon and anise. Really stains the palate, finishing with gentle grip and a whiplash of dark berries."


Robert Parker, Issue #180, December 2008=91 points

"The 2006 Pinot Noir La Neblina has more earth and forest floor notes, some ruggedly constructed Pommard-like red fruits backed up by serious muscle, depth, and power. If the 2007 is pure charm and elegance with concentration, the 2006 is its more burly sibling."