It was my good friend’s 40th birthday this week, and to celebrate I brought a couple bottle to our favorite bar between work and home. I also wanted to open a QC to see if I want to stay on the list… and I do!
-
2004 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (1/8/2010)
Put it in the decanter at 830 AM. Deep, dark black and purple. Nose not giving up much at all.
Checked back in at 1, and the nose was starting to come around. Took a sip, and there was some blueberry and black cherry underneath the lead, leather and spice. Incredible smooth with the tannins and acidity to compliment the stuffing. Will update later…
At the eight hour mark in the decanter, took a sip, and poured the rest into the bottle for travel. Consumed from 6-7PM (so that is 10 plus hours being open) with friends and sliders at Max’s.
The color was almost aubergine with a touch of dark garnet. The smell was a cacophony of blueberry, cherry, pencil shavings, earth and cedar. Just wonderful to smell! The black and blue fruits seemlessly intergrated with licorice, leather and spice. A rich mouthfeel that just goes on and on. I was amazed how the fruit, oak and acidity were in balance… and so smooth!
I can see why some might not like this style, but I think this is a great bottle of wine:) (97 pts.) -
2006 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (1/8/2010)
Cork perfect. Popped and poured. Light golden color with just a trace of a green hue. The nose had a rich pear, apple, spice and lemon. In the mouth there was baked apple and a tropical fruit note, but there was also some minerality. Good verve/acidity. 20+ second finish.
Wish I could have followed this wine over the course of a couple hours, but it went quickly during the crab cake appetizer. (94 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker