Brief TN's

[C_R_a_s_k_i_n]

2009 Schrader CCS
Lush, structured, subtle mocha hint to the dark fruits that were ripe but not pruned. Supple but chalky finish. Went well by itself, and well with steak. This is a wine that has genius winemaking behind it, and good but not stellar starting material. Every ounce of potential has been realized with this wine. Could very well improve with time, but more likely to change in personality than overall enjoyment. I do not believe that many in the industry could achieve what TRB achieved starting with the same raw materials. 96 points


2003 BV Georges de Latour
Compared to how I remembered it on release this is a more restrained wine. Nicely balanced, but with tannins that are clearly derived from inferior wood. My concern is that, at present, the light structured fruit is subjugated to the tannins now and forever. A pleasant wine that will likely offer complexity in time, but presently a bit awkward. To its detriment it followed the Schrader. I would drink this wine again, but not intentionally seek it out. 88 points.


2010 Continuum
Ran out of wine towards the end of dinner, but having already had 2 bottles we forgot to care about price. I will say that this is a great wine. When you think of ideal parameters for a wine, like balance, precision, elegance, and purity, this wine had them all. A fantastically well made wine. Textbook. Had we not had the Schrader I would have said this wine was one for the ages. And, although it pales in comparison to the Schrader, it really is a wine for the ages. This is a wine I would love to revisit in 10, 20 and 30 years from now. If you are of an old world palate, then this is the Napa wine for you. 94 points


2001 Whitehall Lane Cabernet
A 13 year old quaffer. I really liked its simple but juicy fruit and its simple but appropriate backbone. There is no point in taking up cellar space for 12 years for a wine like this, but no harm in doing so either. A crowd pleaser for those who enjoy taking delayed gratification to ridiculous extremes. Probably tasted just as good, if not better, on release. When people say that Napa cabs do not age, but rather merely get older, they are referring to wines like this. That being said, those people likely have never had wines like Schrader or Continuum. 88 points.