Had a little get together in the 209 for some pizza, and good wine, and to wish Mike and Lauren well in their up coming move to the Napa Valley. Very enjoyable evening…great pizza’s, thanks to Mike, great wines, thanks to all…a fun time had by everyone!!!
The players:
Mike and Lauren
Edson and Danielle
Faust and Krista
Brett Little
Glenn and Mel
Me and Jonelle
This was pretty much a free-for-all…no one took any notes, so I’m just going to list the wines with some of my very vague impressions…and others can chime in if they want. There were a couple blind flights, and a few interesting entries as well!!
Starters:
2005 Ridge Santa Cruz Mtns Chard - Big,rich,little sweet, buttery,caramel,yet cut with minerals,complexed hazelnut. Super wine. 93pts
2007 Heitz Grignolino Rose’ - Refreshing,strawberry/cherry,citrus acidity,watermelon martini,herbs. 90pts
2007 Domaine Roulot Bourgogne Blanc - As always…killer mini Meursault! 91ps
2004 Domaine William Fevre Les Clos Chablis - BIG thanks to Ed! I was drinkin this as soon as the cork popped! Needed time to open…and it did throughout the night. Super smooth,layered,minerals,stones,lemo n citrus,smoky flint,saline seashell(not as much as I’ve had in others),white florals. Clean and tasty! Will gain even more with age. 93++pts
2004 Forsythe Vineyard Alban “The Mason” - Thanks BC! My first time with this…monster! Oozing dark berry fruit,totally Mourvedre pine sap,smoked meat,coffee…rich rich rich. Got better as the night went on. Looking forward to leftovers tonight! 94+pts
2002 Saxum Broken Stones - Big and rich, but tame compaired to most Saxum, dark wild berry fruit,dusty peppery spice, mocha, exotic smoked woods,more acidity to keep it fresh. Of course it’s good! 93pts
BC’s mini blind:
#1 2006 Carlisle Rossi Ranch Zin - Fresh briary red fruits,spicy tannin,tasty.91pts
#2 2006 Carlisle Montafi Ranch Zin - Bigger, rippin Zin! Tons wild Zinberry, zingy acidity, peppery spice, florals. Killer! 92pts
#3 2007 Linne Calodo Problem Child Zin - The best of the flight! A smoother, well rounded Zin(blend). Everything the other 2 wines had…darker fruit,more balanced. Loved this. 93pts
Ridge Vineyards flight:
1974 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah - Musty,some corkiness nose…but all thought not. Started out earthy mushroomy…but opened later, and was drinking quite nicely at about the 4hr mark. Leather,aged plum,dark berry,black pepper,meat,old cellar dust. Did start to fad towards the end…but pretty nice for the old fella! 92pts
1989 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah - WOW, this is still quite young. Still tannic,dark berry,pepper spice,leather,earth tones. Good bottle. 93pts
1992 Ridge York Creek Cabernet - Glenn thought it was tiring, I liked it…aged cab fruit, dusty spice, some herbs. 89pts
1992 Ridge York Creek Zin - But THIS rocked! Fresh cherry acid,young,herbal,spicy zinberry,leather…really nice! 93pts
1994 Ridge Lytton Estate ATP Zin - Don’t remember.
1995 Ridge Lytton Springs Zin - Drinking well…don’t remember much though.
Mini Gallo Vert:
1990 Gallo of Sonoma Northern Sonoma Estate Cabernet - Drinking perfectly right now. Pristine bottle,aged cab fruit,leather,coffee,cedar dust,some green herbs/tobacco leaves. 92pts
1991 Gallo of Sonoma Northern Sonoma Estate Cabernet - This on the other had, was amazingly tight and acidic. It was like a barrel sample…with no fruit. Really weird wine…very astringent,not flawed,actually was a great structure…it just was light on the fruit. Seems like it might just need 10more years…but don’t know if any fruit will emerge. Anxious to try another glass tonight. 82pts
Brian’s mystery blind:
2002 Matetic EQ Pinot Noir Chile - In the context of all the other wines…this stood out like a sore thumb. I liked it, but I don’t think anyone else did. I think Glenn went outside and puked? This wine is strange for Pinot. Christmas spice,tree sap,sweet coffee,raspberry,pipe tobacco, all smooth and balanced. Drinks more like a Rhone blend. 93pts
Sweeties:
1997 Chateau Suduiraut - Caramel,creme brulee crust,saffron,apricot…nice spice,little low on acidity,but not too cloying either. Great wine. 91pts
1975 Chateau Coutet Barsac - Thanks Glenn! What a wine…continued to open all night. Beautiful creamy tropical fruit, along with aged apricot,toffee honey,saffron,tobacco spice…well balanced,still young. Super stuff! 94pts
1972 Mayacamas Late Harvest Zin - Very light, cloudy rose’-like color. Tawny-like,nuts,old pencil box,high toned orange citrus,dusty spice,herbs/tobacco leaves,big and sweet imortal wine. 17.5alc. A Port sipper. 88pts
2000 Grahams Vintage Port -WOW…I’m not a Port drinker…but this had a wonderful layer of complex,dry spices/woods…perfect balance of sweetness,rich dark fruit, and alcohol. Another wine I can’t wait to dig into again tonight. 93pts
1997 Rutherford Hill Vintage Zin Port - Didn’t get to try.
1997 Hood River Oregon Zin Port - Didn’t get to try…these 2 wines just appeared?? Was that you Faust?
Other’s:
2002 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges Clos des Porrets - Smooth cherries,berry,earth dust,herbs,potpourri spice. I need more time with this…looking forward to this tonight. 92+pts
1968/69 NV Windsor Vineyards Special Burgundy bottled 1971 - This was “bottled” in 1971…so I think the fruit it from 1968-69. It was alive,pretty dark fruit…more like an old Petite than Pinot(might very well be?)…fruit was simple,not complex,had kind of a garbage can,lettuce thing goin on…old cellar dust,dried herbs,leather. Interesting to see what it does tonight. 80-84pts
2002 Reignac - I liked it…but didn’t hear any comments from the others. Very dark berry fruit,little funk,coffee,dry dusty cocoa powder tannin,leather,sauced meat. We popped and poured this…needed time to open. I 'll bet it drinks super tonight. 90pts
Well, I think that was it?? Any I missed gents? Jonelle and I had a super time…thank you all for the food,wines,and good times…until next time!