A BUNCH OF WINES WITH FRIENDS - Pine Lake Trout Club (6/24/2016)
Last night, I was invited by a friend to join him and 9 others for dinner at his private club east of town. The wines were BYO so it ended up being a hodgepodge of different wines. We ate outside under a tent, lots of cigars going all night. I missed a few wines but got good pours of most of them.
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2013 Domaine Michel Chevre Saumur Blanc Clos de l’Ecotard - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur
My first time trying this producer. Great showing. Light golden in color. The nose has peaches, apricots and an herbal streak. On the palate, the peaches continue thru. A bit of spice. Great acidity. Dry but there is a perception of sweetness. It just feels like it will be sweet but is not. Delicious. Works well with food. (90 pts.) -
2014 Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
YMMV. I see why this is so popular with a particular crowd. Not for me though. Golden in color. The nose has some peaches and citrus. Not a ton of oak, but it is noticeable, mostly vanilla. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. The combination of tart and sweet is not what I like, but I can see some finding it tasty and refreshing. Always interesting to try some wines that have such a large market share to see what people are liking. (87 pts.) -
2013 Herdade do Esporão Esporão Reserva Branco - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
Light gold in color. The nose has wax, lemons, vanilla and pears. On the palate, a nice acidity. Good pears with slight limes. Also some vanilla. Good with food. I would drink these up but who knows. (89 pts.) -
2013 Cayuse Syrah En Cerise Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Stunning wine. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and violets. Great texture. Silky. On the palate, black raspberries and black cherries. Very deep but unwinds quickly in the glass. Soft but persistent tannins. Long finish. Great wine! (96 pts.) -
2008 Inglenook / Rubicon Estate / Niebaum-Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Nice showing for this wine. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, dark chocolate and spice. On the palate, there is plenty of fruit but not a monster. Still some firm tannins. Black raspberries. Lush texture. A nice finish. This is drinking quite well, but no hurry. (92 pts.) -
2007 Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Rutherford - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Another nice Cabernet. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, some tobacco, cedar and spice. On the palate, there is very nice fruit. Juicy cassis. Some tannins. Good balance. Nothing wows, but the total package is better than the sum of its parts. Good finish. I don’t think it get’s better but no hurry. (91 pts.) -
2013 Fattoria di Basciano I Pini Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
Purple/ruby in color. The nose has a dusty cherry note. Also some roasted herbs (rosemary?). On the palate, the cherries continue. Not a lot of fruit. Firm tannins. The acidity is lacking a bit. This is a nice wine, but doesn’t reach those heights. I was told some reviewer gave this a really high score according to the distributor. I have some doubts about that. That said, at the right price, this is fine for drinking right now. (88 pts.) -
2002 Mommessin Savigny-lès-Beaune - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune
This was actually better than I was expecting. I doubt it gets any better from here though. Ruby in color. The nose is nice with cherries, slight funk, a bit of candied fruit. On the palate, there is more volume than the nose. Cherries, slight earthiness. A bit of complexity. Not profound but a step up from just very good. very juicy acidity. Nice tart finish. I thought it worked better with food than on its own but one would expect that. (90 pts.) -
2007 Sineann Pinot Noir Schindler - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Glass cork. Ruby in color. The nose is nice with cherries, some dark cherries, slight root beer and a hint of funk. On the palate, this is still young. A bit bigger than most wines in the vintage which I think is a good thing. Lots of cherries and dark cherries. Enough acidity to carry the fruit. Long finish. Very pretty. (91 pts.) -
2009 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Great showing for this wine. Deep ruby in color. The nose has cherries, vanilla, leather and slight cigar tobacco. On the palate, bright cherry fruit. Some dust. Medium tannins. Nice finish. This has years left to mature. I was impressed. (93 pts.) -
2004 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
Pop and pour, this could use more air or cellar time. Purple in color. On the nose this has cassis, dark cherries, tobacco, dust and crushed leaves. Full bodied. Great acidity. On the palate, this has cherries, dark cherries, and spice. Long finish. There is a great complexity as it unwinds in the glass. Still firm tannins. Long finish. delicious wine. Food friendly. (95 pts.) -
NV Braulio Amaro Alpino - Italy
This was an interesting digestive to finish the evening. Clear/brown in color. The nose is complex with mint, oranges, cinnamon, spice, and juniper (think Gin). Other stuff too that i could not name. slightly sweet. Viscous. A little goes a long way but a lovely finish. (89 pts.)
Thanks Ron!
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