Several months ago I proposed a tasting of “high end cabs” at Church and State. Some quick impressions, and hopefully others will be able to correct and flesh out my notes. We had the standard four course meal done on Sundays at Church and State, and the quality of all the courses was excellent.
To go with the soup:
2006 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay – On the leaner side of the spectrum, some steeliness, in need of some time, favored by those who like the style.
2004 Nealy Chardonnay – richer, but balanced, my favorite of the two.
2001 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre – Getting better as it ages, gorgeous nose, dry but rich, wonderful accompaniment to the soup.
2000 Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Clos Windsbuhl – drier, more depth than the Trimbach, also excellent with the soup, noticeably long aftertaste. Probably prefer the Trimbach tonight, but it’s close.
I decided to do the younger Cabernets first, and then the older ones.
With the first course, which I expect to be an Alsatian styled tarte, but turned out to be a salad,:
2000 Peter Michael Les Pavots – strong acidity at first, settled down, balanced, lighter than the other wines of this flight.
2000 Pride Reserve – sweet fruit , throughout, which I liked, but I could see Jason Hagen cringing.
2001 Paul Hobbs Napa – my favorite of the flight; sweet fruit, but not at the level of the Pride, more balanced, drinking very well.
2004 Quilceda Creek – Surprisingly drinkable, with noticeable tanning in the background, but more forward than the 2001 Leslie brought to a tasting a couple of years ago.
With the main course, braised beef for most of us, but there was also a choice of salmon, duck, or vegetarian.
1978 Mondavi Reserve – Nice at first, smooth, light fruit, but faded quickly. This was not bought upon release.
1994 Dominus (my contribution) – This was my third time with this wine, and probably the best showing. Tobacco, chalkiness, balanced, should age for quite a while.
1995 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill – Less fruit than the others, more acid, but worked well with the food. Might have been interesting to have had a combination of this and the Monavi.
1997 Shafer Hillside Select – My first taste of any Hillside Select, and I understand the acclaim this wine received. Dense, tremendous fruit, but balanced. Easily my Cabernet of the evening.
For dessert, ever generously David Miller supplied the 2001 d’Yquem. My first time with this vintage of d’Yquem, and now I understand. A nose with flavors that never end, amazing complexity, perfect balance, an epic wine. I suspect this will be my wine of the year.