Family is staying with us so we’ve been opening quite a few bottles each night since this past Friday. I got my 2012 Hobel six pack sent ahead early last week with ice packs so a bottle could be shared! The weather was just about perfect earlier this weekend before the recent rains started so I fired up the BBQ and made a full on meal for everyone - steaks, corn, grilled pizza, etc. I also took this chance to dig out a few nicies that I’ve forgotten about over recent years.
1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia: This was quite elegant to tell you the truth - several layers of understated and balanced fruit showing through. Ruby sparkles at the core - nice notes of fennel, heme, cold black currant fruit - ripe strawberries. Really elegant throughout with maybe just a bit of drying at the end.
1995 Ridge Monte Bello: What a wine - full of composed structure and layers of earthy understated cabernet fruit. Soft cassis, blackberry, smoke, and spice box is what I noted. Really classy stuff - seems I only have one bottle of this left after buying a sixer a long time ago. Yummy!
2009 Maison Roche de Bellene Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts: Had to get a red burgundy in there so I grabbed one of these. This was full of cola spice, spiced cherries, and lots of other dark pinot fruits - young but still opened and pleased throughout the night. Had this one in a decanter for a good 6 hrs and the last sip was the most aromatic. Give this one some time - still lovely now.
2012 Hobel Wine Works Cabernet Sauvignon Engelhard Vineyard: I very much liked the '09 version of this last month when tasted so I told Cameron that I’d love to sign up for a shot at the '12s . Cameron is a friend and a fine human being so there’s hardly anything wrong with the guy
- same is true with this wine. I must say I don’t buy much California Cabernet anymore but I think I’m still a good judge of quality. This '12 is solid with nice amounts of anise and powdery black currant fruit and understated largesse here - dark and young, not overdone at all. I gave this a good 3-4 hrs which it really needed - by the time hour #4 came around the nose really popped. Really nice savory acid driven tannins to boot! Loved it and will savor the remaining bottles for years to come.
CHEERS!