Some impressions from yesterday. Schrader, Scarecrow, Shafer

WINE TALK
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No formal notes taken. Just impressions, or ‘snapshots’ if you will.


2008 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Thieriot. Fragrant and showy, while being racy and precise. It really is all about the fruit with these. I enjoy the freshness and balance.

2001 Karl Lawrence. Great texture, wonderful black fruits. Really first class showing.

2004 Schrader To Kalon. Some greenness and a bit of heat which blew off. Beautiful mouth feel and structure, The greeny thing had me confused a bit though as I never have encountered it in a TRB wine before. Plush and dark. Interesting to watch this one over the last few years.

2007 Scarecrow. Really needed to breath and be served a wee bit cooler (Started out a bit hot, and hot as in heat), but when treated right, this really blew everything else away. Pure, precise and just awesome. Deep and dark, this had creme de cassis, blackest berries, kirsch and cola. Just mind boggling in its plushy mouthfeel. Best showing of a Scarecow for me yet. Makes me wish I had some.

2005 Shafer One Point Five. A very four square cab style. All the elements I enjoy Shafer for save for maybe a bit of depth and structure. Very nice

2003 Rubicon. Soft, pretty and elegant and maybe just a slight manufactured thing of the vintage I encounter from some 03s and most 00s. Interesting to have on the table.

2001 Axios. Wow, this really had it all and was firing on all cylinders. I have always been a fan on the Egelhoff cab style. This was boisterous and flamboyant while still maintaining the class and structure I expect from the vintage. An early wotn until the second showing of the Scarecrow.

2005 Cliff Lede Cabernet Napa. What an amazing structured cabernet. Great black and red fruits with wonderful balance and style. One I will seek on QPR value alone.

202 Blair Estate 50% Cab, 27% CF, 23% Merlot. An interesting blend for sure. Style class and bright red and black fruits is all I can remember.

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Thanks for the note Mike. One question. Was the Cliff Lede the Stag’s Leap designation? If so, what are your thoughts on the aging curve? I have a single bottle of that which I will have to get to in due time.

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Well this has to be a first, Pobega and I talking about Chardonnay! There is a new post on another board extolling this same wine, using descriptors like “Pineapple & citrus on the nose with some tropical fruit. Crisp & clean with fantastic acidity. All about sharp edges, a razor across the palate. Love it. Not fat, no oak. Lemon & apple on the palate” - is this what you experienced? I am going to have to track some down. I have been fooling around with a new Chardonnay project, aiming for a lean, citrusy, clean profile. Sounds like it has already been done , here, to perfection.

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Sounds about right. I did get some oak though.
Nice wine. Wish I had more.

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Nice TN’s, very lucky to drink the Scarecrow! I’m surprised this was even opened, as it should be cellared for another 10 years easy.

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Ty, a great wine is timeless… [cheers.gif]
A good time indeed.

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Thanks for posting Mike. That sounds like a great line up!

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Mike,

Thanks for the tasting notes. I have been impressed with every 05 Shafer One Point Five that I have had.

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So true…and I would never turn down a full pour of the crow, regardless of vintage!



-salute!

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Maybe its time I drag out some Axios. I liked it before and by your notes, I think I’m going to like it even more. Great notes Mike.

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God I hope Scarecrow blows all those other wines out of the water (I might make an exception for the Schrader) but a few months ago it was crushed by a few wines like deep time, 05 Schrader To-kalon, an older Pride reserve, hourglass. Obviously a case of baby killing in the case of crow, but I expected a bit more show despite the youth…made me a bit worried…I own a few bottles…

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Randy - the Axios was actually a surprise. I was trying to figure out what to bring and didn’t want to go too old but the 2001 seemed about right. MUCH better than the last bottle I cracked. Really developing and now I wish I had a lot more. For the people who say CA cab doesn’t evolve, that’s one more counterargument.

The chardonnay was pretty wonderful. I"m half way thru a different one right now, but I can still remember the taste profile of yesterday’s. I had it just before leaving and actually thought it was one of my favorite wines of the night.

Thanks to Mike for the invite and I’m hoping the dogs are OK!

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Greg, what was your take on the Schrader & Scarecrow?
If I were you, I might avoid traveling to Staten Island for a while, or until my wife forgives you.
[basic-smile.gif]

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Glad to hear the Scarecrow showed better for you than the one time I had it. Hopefully one will cross my path again soon.

Merrill – I’ll bring a R-M Chard. I think I have one laying around here somewhere.

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Bump - I think Mike has been trying out that ignore feature. pileon

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Sorry, Bruce.
I had to dig the bottle out of recycle.
It is the Stags Leap bottling.

Cheers!
Mike

PS, I would NEVER ignore you. [wink.gif]

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Thanks Mike. Since I only have one bottle, I am would like your thoughts on whether I should continue to hold or if it is drinking so well now that I ought to just pop it whenever the mood strikes.

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It is drinking very nice. If you put it in the ‘to open at anytime’ shelf, I would decant for at least an hour. It really was an eye opener. Since it is an '05, I’d say you certainly could hold this for 3/4 years as it’s in no danger.

Cheers!

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Whoa - I almost missed this. Thanks!

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Wish I could make this shindig…the RM Chard is the shiznit.