Berserk Saturday Wines

WINE TALK
1

Lots of wine yesterday with the Berserker Crew. Some standouts:
‘85 Mondavi Special Selection
‘95 Ravenswood Monte Rossso
‘97 A. Rafanelli Zin
‘20 Ramey Hyde
‘09 Scherrer OMV

Was tough putting new wines up with older vintages but everything was really good. Fun time.

10 Likes
2

One of my early, probably earliest, wine epiphanies. Glad but not surprised that it still shows well some 20-25 years later.

2 Likes
3

Dang nice lineup.

1 Like
4

Awesome lineup - must have been a great day!!

The 1995 (and 1994) Ravenswood Monte Rosso is a killer wine!

1 Like
5

How was the rarefied air?

2 Likes
6

Very, very young and very, very good. I think Brian decanted it for 24 hours, too. It is going to be a spectacular wine in 5-7 years.

7

Amazing. Amazingly young too. I double decanted the dY before and left it in the cellar with the cork out. I have half the mag left. I was getting heavy up valley purple fruit like from Calistoga but with an Oakville polish to it. Will be interesting too see what it’s like tonight.

2 Likes
8

Great day and great to see everyone! Food was probably the real star. Brian killed it on the grill.

2 Likes
9

How was the 1980 Villa Mt Eden and the 74 Grand Cru Late Harvest (if you recall)?

Thanks!

10

The Villa Mt Eden was borderline. Very bricked, nose was a bit rough, fruit pale strawberry. Alone you could ponder it a but but against the rest of the lineup it was overmatched a worn out.

The Grand Cru Late Harvest I think was saved by being a late harvest. Advanced color, nose of sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce, creamy texture taking on a liqueur profile without the heat. Strawberry and brandied cherry, very faint tannins. Fun.

2 Likes
11

Pretty roses

12

Thanks bud! Super helpful - i have an 80 Reserve in the cellar so ill lower my expectations on that one.

Also have a 76 Grand Cru late picked, so hopefully that one delivers!

Cheers and thanks again for the feedback!

2 Likes
13

Revisiting a few Cabs Sunday.

  • 2017 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Ranch - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District (7/23/2023)
    24 hour decant, note from 48hr mark. Dark purple with a black as night core. Boysenberry, black currant and a hint of leather. Medium bodied more black currant, tar, roasted coffee beans and some red berries coming in late with the rush of acidity. Tannins are still firm and chalky. Judicious oak, it’s coming around nicely, will check back in in 4-5yrs.


  • 2018 Salt Vine Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/23/2023)
    Double decanted Friday, served Saturday, revisited Sunday. Dark magenta, deep dark core. Super young, oak dominated GIII fruit, blackberry and mocha. Seriously mouth shriveling tannins. Will stash for 10+years.


  • 2019 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Rarefied Air - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/23/2023)
    From Magnum. Double decanted Friday evening, served Saturday, 1/2 bottle left on Sunday. On Saturday this had a purple up valley (Calistoga) fruit profile. Today it’s transformed. Dark ruby, not as deep and dense as a typical Mike Smith Cab. Briary red currant, black cherry, cassis, muddled raspberry. Very polished, great balance, surprisingly approachable. Reminds me a lot of Carter Grand Daddy. I’m calling ToKalon fruit. Damn tasty.

  • 2020 Salty Goats Cabernet Sauvignon Horton Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (7/23/2023)
    Open 24 hrs. Deep dark ruby color, nose of sweet black cherry, tar and cassis screaming Oakville. This has a plushness to the texture that just grabs you and brings you to attention. It envelopes you in a nice warm soft blanket in front of a fire eating bon bons. No, really. This wine is fantastic. Will be phenomenal in a few years. Screw the 2020 Napa nay-sayers.

Posted from CellarTracker

5 Likes
14

Hydrangeas, My Wife thanks you!

1 Like
15

Brian and Dava, thank you for the high level hosting and hospitality your provided.
Masterful grilling was a great basis and the pot luck sides and those you provided made for excellent tasting snacks and meal. The fresh and creamy oysters with fine Champagnes were a classic starter match.

The wines the 1997 Rafanelli Zin, the Mondavi and mid 90s Ravenswood Monte Rosso were surprisingly good.
The Cabs were stellar with the Myraid and Salty Goats displaying great potential.
Unfortunately I have to limit my consumption and was unable to taste too many others.

2 Likes
16

Ramey Hyde is always a great drink…

2 Likes