Some quick notes I took last week. One of those weeks where I tried a LOT of wines. The following were from two parties, one for a collector’s birthday and the other at a party thrown for me and my fiancée at a friend’s house. So many great wines last week I actually have left some out. Trying to actually score rationally, but all these were excellent.
2004 Aubert “Reuling” Chard, Sonoma
Deep golden color. Almost starting to become a dessert wine in the nose. To me has peaked. Yummy, but drink em.
92pts
2011 Sine Qua Non “Dark Blossom” Syrah, Cali
There were ten… TEN different SQN’s at the party and this one was the one I liked most of them, and of all things it was an… 11? Beasty, concentrated, powerful and clearly a wine that needs time. Probably my favorite SQN wine since “The Left Hand”, which must be a decade ago. Gave the others 91-94. but can’t remember which they were.
95+pts
2010 Vieux Chateau Certan, Pomerol
Medium bodied with big tannins but rather suave. Actually approachable now but won’t hit its stride for a decade. Was hoping for a bit more “oomph.” Others liked this a bit more than me.
93+pts
2009 Abreu “Madrona Ranch” Cab, Napa
Still massive with dense texture and high-octane black fruit. Phenomenal texture and a bit of sweetness round it out. Hard to think of food that would ever go with this Cab, but in isolation a kind of a monument on its own. Madrona is always my favorite Abreu. Still not ready. Perhaps one of the WOTV from an average vintage, imo.
95pts
2005 Ch Montrose, St Estephe
This is my kind of Bordeaux. Lead pencil, deep black cherry, big structure, ample tannin and poised to become elegant to boot, with age. Feels like it needs 4-5 more years and then start sampling. Classical.
96pts
2010 Ch. Clinet, Pomerol
For me, liked it more than the VCC. More power, more density, although less elegance. Felt more like a St Emilion, but was turned on by its sexiness and strength. Give 5-7+ years.
94+pts
2010 Paul Lato “lumiere” Grenache “Larner Vineyard”
From a 3L. Didn’t even know he made this varietal. I’ve never met this guy but every time I try a wine from him, I really dig it. This was a medium weight, beautiful wine that smelled like Grenache rather than Grenache trying to be Petite Sirah. Is there any wine this guy can’t make?
93pts
2007 Forman Cab, Napa
Just a wicked wine, right in “the zone.” Gobs of red fruit, cinnamon, with a nice balance and elegance just starting to poke through. Leaves most 07s I’ve had recently in the dust. I wanna make a wine like this.
96pts
2007 La Janasse “XXL’ Chateauneuf
At first drink, blew me away. Huge (15.5% listed) and rich, but noticed some VA crept in after some time open and that dropped it a notch or two for me. Felt like a Paso-styled wine. Not sure what to think of this style.
90pts
2005 Spottswoode Cab, Napa
Next to the Forman was hard to pick a favorite. This one was more elegant with less power and lighter on its feet. Entering the zone. Start drinking but no hurry, has another 5+ left. I am such a Napa whore.
95pts
2012 Screaming Eagle Cab, Napa
Always such a nice wine. Deep red fruits, obviously a Napa, but not in the mega ripe style. Good structure and tremendous balance. A thoroughbred.
95pts
1985 Dom Dujac Chambolle Musigny
Unreal. I’ve not had too many great older Burgs, but this left me breathless. Felt like I was drinking liquid roses, literally. In a perfect zone, still had some fruit but also lots of other things going on. Ethereal. One of my favorite wines of 2016. Probably the best twenty-plus year old Burg I’ve ever had, although I’ve not had that many, so….
96pts
1961 Vieux Chateau Certan, Pomerol
Probably a decade-plus past its peak but still fantastic. Cedar, spice and warm fruit. Felt pretty ripe. No flaws and the label was in perfect condition.
95pts
2013 MacDonald Cab, Napa
Had heard many things about this from friends but had not had before. A giant in the bottle. Huge in every way, but without trying to be so. Structured, massively tannic, with deep black fruits and graphite. Needs lots of time. I hate to use the comparison but could be a Napa version of a great vintage of Latour. Almost need to try it again soon to make sure I really tasted what I did. Phenomenal. Almost certainly the best, most promising 2013 Napa Cab I’ve had, leading WOTV candidate. I told Graeme “I hope you enjoyed making it because this might be the best one you ever make.” Maybe I am just jealous.
98+pts
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