It’s been a while since I posted any notes, so it feels like time to do that. All of these were consumed in the last 6 weeks or so. Would love to hear others’ impressions of the wines, too, if anyone’s up for it.
Happy (almost) New Year!
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2001 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/30/2011)
Very different beast than the '04 Larkmead Solari drank immediately before it. This shows even darker fruit, less overt sweetness, and a pleasing savory aspect on the finish. Reminds me of the '97 Karl Lawrence in profile. Long finish. Feels like this is just at the front of its window, with many years of fine drinking ahead. (93 pts.) -
2001 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (12/30/2011)
Suave barolo on the cusp of full maturity. Lovely nose of roses and cherries. Red fruits and a lithe mouthfeel on the palate, with nicely balanced tannins and acidity. Smooth, clean finish. Very well made. This was a great pairing with venison in a cognac & lingonberry sauce. (92 pts.) -
2004 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Solari (Reserve) - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/30/2011)
Incredible nose on opening. Rich, dark fruit; sweet, full, and velvety. Only thing missing was some of the complexity seen other vintages, even in the normal cuvee cab. I’m not sure this will develop that way, but holding a few more years wouldn’t hurt and might answer the question. (92 pts.) -
2006 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/30/2011)
Could use more time on its side, as it’s showing a little too much polish from its oak for my tastes. Not over the top, but needing to evolve a bit more to develop some complexity. At the moment, it’s simply a pleasant glass of cab that neither requires nor inspires contemplation. (89 pts.) -
2005 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (12/23/2011)
Beautiful perfumed bouquet of spring flowers, talcum, and red licorice. Medium-full in the mouth, with good accessibility even at this early stage in its development. Graceful on the mid-palate with a good balance of acidity, tannin, and fruit. Finish is clean and a touch short. Lots to like here, and a wide window in which to enjoy it. (92 pts.) -
2007 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico (12/23/2011)
Starting to sound redundant, but I really like this wine. Ready to go with minimal air, but also showing some underlying tannin tonight that suggests it has a good decade of fine drinking ahead of it. (90 pts.) -
2007 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Chianti Rùfina Nipozzano Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rùfina (12/23/2011)
Drank against two other '07 chianti and this was the unanimous third place wine. A traditional style with a rustic, herbal note on the nose that continues on the palate. (88 pts.) -
2010 Vindemio Côtes du Ventoux Imagine - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Ventoux (12/22/2011)
Nice fruit and texture, but this is currently disjointed and needs a year or two to come together. 87 for current drinking, with several points possible if it works out the kinks. That said, this won’t ever be a mid-90s wine to my palate. (87 pts.) -
1996 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (12/20/2011)
Started off a bit simple, suggesting it was a little over the hill. However, this really blossomed with an hour or so of air, developing a more compelling nose and adding baking spice & white pepper notes to the smooth black cherry fruit. Medium(+) body and finish. Quite a bargain for about $30 at auction. (91 pts.) -
2007 Fontodi Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico (12/20/2011)
Beautiful, traditional chianti that is approachable early in this vintage. Doesn’t have the oomph or potential longevity of the '04, but it sure is tasty right now. (89 pts.) -
2007 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/20/2011)
Very nice modern styled cab, with lush dark fruit and a hint of oak spice without being over the top. A significant step up from the '06. (89 pts.) -
1997 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (12/16/2011)
Nice mature fruit, but with some air a note of barnyard makes an appearance, which is not a draw for me. (87 pts.) -
1995 Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (12/7/2011)
Too earthy for me, which is pretty unusual. Also felt it was a little tired, but this was an auction bottle so provenance is unknown. (88 pts.) -
2010 Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Terrasses - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Ventoux (12/7/2011)
Like my first bottle last month, this is fairly tannic and not in balance (at least not yet). It also seemed to have elevated acidity in a way that is uncharacteristic for this cuvee, which I’ve had 6 other vintages. I’m not sure this will become as enjoyable as I’d hoped but I have 10 more to find out. Right now, I’d happily trade it for any other vintage of this I’ve tasted. (86 pts.) -
2005 Fountainhead Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (12/1/2011)
Sweet red fruit and a smooth texture with a lengthy finish. There was a bit of milk chocolate that I don’t remember from my previous bottle. Definitely modern Napa style. (90 pts.) -
2005 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/27/2011)
I was going to write a note and then realized I’d basically be repeating the 9/11/11 note made by another taster. Probably the most enjoyable CA merlot I’ve had and, at $45, still a good buy. Stylistically, it reminded me of the '02 Larkmead merlot, which I also loved in its prime. A definite repeat buy. (93 pts.) -
2004 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Alta Valle della Greve IGT (11/27/2011)
Much more approachable and smoother than I’d expected. Very nice Sangiovese in a sleeker style than I remember from the '95 I had two years ago. Great nose. (91 pts.) -
2001 Rudd Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (11/25/2011)
Great nose, reminding me that there’s a decent splash of cab franc in the blend. Full, round and engaging in the mouth, with dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and plums. Tannins are nicely woven through the lengthy finish. This is really just a young adult of a wine, with plenty of time ahead of it. Excellent. (93 pts.) -
2009 Stefania Haut Tubee - USA, California (11/22/2011)
Opens with an expressive nose of juicy red fruit, which is mirrored on the palate. As noted by another reviewer, there is a touch of green present but I find it a nice accent note vs. a sign of under-ripeness. Medium-bodied with a mild sweetness that tells you there’s plenty of zin in the blend. A bit disjointed on the spicy/tangy finish, which should cone together with more time in the cellar. A fun bottle for $20. (89 pts.) -
2005 Bisceglia Aglianico del Vulture Gudarrà - Italy, Basilicata, Aglianico del Vulture (11/20/2011)
Started off really muddled but turned into a charmer with 45 minutes of air. Nice combination of warm red fruit, old leather, and medium roast coffee notes. Probably at peak, with no hurry to consume. (91 pts.) -
2007 Audelssa Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (11/20/2011)
Has made great strides since my last bottle, and is now lovely. Terrific fruit matched by sweet and savory herb and earthy aspects, with moderate structure and a smooth finish. Wish I had more, as this is a definite winner at $30. (91 pts.) -
2007 Garric Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/20/2011)
Gave it an hour of air and it seemed a bit bretty, which I hadn’t expected and have not experienced on a Napa cab. Opened up more and the brett note receded moderately (but was still present) at two hours. Black fruit and spicy oak, with a nice richness that reminds me of bitter cacao. Full in the mouth, with a lingering oak and spice note in the finish. I hope my others don’t show any brett, as I think this will otherwise be a lovely wine in 3-5 years when the oak integrates. (90 pts.) -
2004 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Caravina - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/10/2011)
Fantastic bottle that’s drinking better than two years ago and is probably at peak, although I expect it will hold here for some time. Terrific balance of mature purple & black fruits married to a rich damp earthiness, sweet & savory spices, and a whisper of wood smoke. Excellent. Serve it blind and no one will guess it’s a second cuvee. (92 pts.)
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