My friend Mike gave me permission to post his tasting notes from a recent wine dinner.
Well gents I had a great wine tasting and thought I would share a few notes.
The list was:
1. Cline, Viognier (2007)
2. J Vineyards & Winery, Cuvee 20 Brut
3. Cliff Lede, Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley (2007)
4. Saintsbury Chardonnay Carneros (2007)
5. Siduri Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands) (2007)
6. Sean Thackrey Pleiades XVII (NV)
7. Rafanelli Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley (1999)
8. Stag’s Leap Cask 23 (2004)
9. Dashe Cellars Zinfandel “Late Harvest” (2007)
As you can see it was a fair amount of wine and we had abut 12 people having at
these with a couple bottles of each being poured. I was feeling no pain at all
at the end.
There were some amazing wines (buy these without fail), some average wines, and
some that can only be considered AIS (my own little designation which stands for
“Acceptable only In Sangria)
So on to the commentary:
*Cline Viognier (2007) *
Sonoma (Carneros area right down at the bottom of the valley)
Alc. 14%
To be honest Cline surprised the living crap out of me coming up with a Viognier
from California that was this enjoyable. It was pure fruit, nice finish, and if
you do not want to splash out for a proper Condrieu then this is one heck of a
good substitute for the times you want Viognier. I really have begun to like
this grape and have been spoiled of late with Condrieu over here in Tokyo since
my instructor is the primary importer for the Rhone wines. But for a fraction of
the cost and a wonderful glass of Viognier I can easily recommend this one. I
will be buying some for my cellar.
J Vineyards & Winery, Cuvee 20 Brut (NV)
Sonoma (Russian River Valley)
49% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir, 2% Pinot Meunier
Alc. 12.5%
Judy Jordan of the Jordan Vineyards family decided she would not upset her dad
and would instead produce bubbly came up with what s regarded well in
California. The thing is I do not know why. California bubbly (a la Schramsberg)
can be great. This one is not. Almost sour tasting and although the bubbles have
a very tight and small construction as one would hope from a wine trying to be
Champagne, it comes across as fizzy like a Sweet Tart candy and not like a
waterfall of effervescence. Give this a miss and you will not be missing much.
Cliff Lede, Sauvignon Blanc (2007)
(Napa Valley)
99% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Sauvignon Musque
Alc. 14.5%
Apparently quite the vineyard, and I respect that, but the Californians have
simply got to get better at this grape. They are not there yet and this is
another example of a Sauvignon Blanc that make people buy Kim Crawford instead.
Too much oak, too little herb, not enough fruit, and almost pungent. Jancis
Robinson’s famous “Cat’s Piss and Gooseberry” comment would have to be adjusted
to simply “Cat’s Piss on this one.
*Saintsbury Chardonnay Carneros (2007) *
Sonoma (Carneros)
100% Chardonnay
Alc. 13.5%
This and the preceding Sauvignon Blanc were paired with a shrimp sauce accented
piece of fish and both went admirably well as pairings. But I want wine to be
able to stand alone and not need food to be good. This one on its own was
typical of the overly oaked California style Chardonnay. A style which is
thankfully giving way slowly to unoaked Chards which are so nice. So here was a
typical Chard with tons of Oak, lots of toast and butter, and, well quite
frankly not on a par with the Hendry Unoaked from Napa I had the night before.
For California Chard lovers though this is well regarded apparently. I will not
be buying this one for my own cellar though.
Siduri Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard (2007)
Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey)
100% Pinot Noir
Alc. 14.1%
Beyond and shadow of a doubt, the clear winner for wine of the night. It gets
interesting reviews on CT but most of those are from people wanting a more
Parkeresque style of steroidal wine. This wine had the red fruit and complexity
of what it is based on in Burgundy. Long finish and I can see this one cellaring
very well. Right now it is very drinkable though. I will be buying a case of
this.
Sean Thackrey Pleiades XVII (NV)
Made at his winery in Marin County from grapes from Mars
Syrah, Barbera, Carignane, Petit Sirah, Sangiovese, Viogenier
Alc. 14.3%
Fun, exciting, and altogether worthy of much conversation. This eccentric
winemaker has come up with a great one. It was paired with a green vegetable
salad dressed with a sesame oil dressing and served with wild duck. Wow! This
wine nailed the sesame, and it is far and away designed to be enjoyed with game.
I would drink it with various airborne or lands based game and it would
undoubtedly be right on the money every time. I will be grabbing at least half a
case.
Rafanelli Zinfandel (1999)
Sonoma (Dry Creek Valley)
100% Zinfandel
Alc. 14.8%
This was one of two treats that the guy hosting the tasting brought in from his
own cellar. In the ten years it had aged, it had softened and become a very
mature and silky Zin. Great fruit and extremely easy to sip. I could drink this
one all night. I may buy a few bottle in October to let sit for a while. As a
less than huge fan of Zin usually, I found myself strangely attracted to this
one and eager to have more.
Stag’s Leap Cask 23 (2004)
Napa (Stag’s Leap District)
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alc. 14.5%
One sip and it is so very obvious why this wine’s forbear won the famous Paris
Tasting in 1976. It is truly magnificent and I have had very few Cabs. Of this
quality. Everything that can be said about this special wine has been said in
Time magazine, and many others over the years. A real treat
Dashe Cellars Zinfandel “Late Harvest” (2007)
Sonoma (Dry Creek Valley)
100% Zinfandel
Alc. 14.1%
There is no way to end a meal better than with a nice dessert wine. This one was
no exception. Not a superstar, but it was exactly right for the fig tart served
at the end of the meal. Dark, thick, and sweet. Well made.
Posted Exclusively on WB.