TN: 06 Lail SB, 95 Troplong Mondot, 95 Ducru, 05 Kapcsandy, 01 Loring Gary's

WINE TALK
1

Last night, my wife and I ventured over to a friend’s home. There were 3 couples, some very good pizza, and some great conversation. As for the wines:

2006 Lail Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Georgia
I am told that this is pricey ($60?). Pale silvery gold. A generic fruit nose (white melon?) and a sweet essence. On the palate, this is nice, slightly ripe sweetness. Blind, I would have been stumped, perhaps Semillon, white Bordeaux? Nothing saying Sauvignon Blanc to me and certainly nothing saying $60 either. Still, a nice enough quaff. 50+3+11+17+7=88

1995 Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint Emillion
Ruby in color with some purple hues. Mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries, cherry jam and vanilla. Full bodied. On the palate, this is accessible and drinking smoothly. Slightly complex and still young. Nice finish. 50+4+12+18+8=92

1995 Ducru Beaucaillou St. Julien
Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The bottle took some time to open, it was decanted and started to open after an hour or so. Aromas of tobacco, cassis, black raspberries with a hint of earthiness. Full bodied. On the palate, this has a juicy texture. Plenty of structure and tannins that still need to fill out/integrate. Yet, it is very good right now as well. Black raspberry notes with a layered complexity. Long finish. Very nice wine, not yet mature. 50+4+13+18+8=93

2005 Kapcsandy Family Winery Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard
My first time trying this winery. I memory serves, this is 90% Merlot. Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is very nice with Black cherries, cocoa, espresso and some red fruit (cherries?) as well. Full bodied. This is obviously young, but drinks really well now. Despite the tannins, the rich texture makes this go down quite easily and this was the first bottle drained. Long finish. No harm opening now or in 15 years. 50+4+14+19+9=96

2001 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Gary’s Vineyard
Ruby in color. The nose is a bit odd, with some alcohol but also some cherries. Better on the palate with some developed layers of cherries. Also some sweetness but it could have been just that this wine was opened late and after the Cab/Merlot wines, it seemed sweet. Nice finish. I know Brian said his wines don’t age, but this was still drinking well. 50+4+11+16+7=88

2

Thanks for the notes, Loren. Nice to read that Kapcsandy Roberta Reserve is drinking very well. I am hearing that the 2007 is even better and probably the only California Merlot that I will continue to buy.

3

That 05 Kapscandy Merlot is very, very good. Had it at the winery over the weekend. Lou Kapcsandy said the 07 is even better.

As for the Lail - I believe that wine sees some new oak. It is an interesting take on SB but ultimately too much oak and too pricey for me.

4

2006 was such a brutally hot summer i was surprised Lail even made Georgia in that vintage and i am not surprised it doesn’t live up to other vintages. BTW, i think the recent release was $80 or 90!

5

Yes Tony, the Lail sees some oak. I like the richness of the fruit that they obtain and it has nice complexity, but it is a little too oaky I agree. The price doesn’t help it any. It is very consistent vintage to vintage though.

Disclaimer, blah blah used to work for the MD wholesaler of Lail…blah blah no financial interest! But I do love the J. daniel Cuvee!

6

While looking at various online wine lists for my upcoming Napa adventure, one restaurant had the Lail SB (cannot remember vintage or restaurant) for upwards of $150 a bottle. I thought it was a misprint.

As for Roberta’s Reserve…yeah, kick ass merlot.

7

No, the lail is 60-70 retail! so 150 sounds about right. This is for the Georgia bottling. they also make a Bluepring SB which is more cost effective.

It’s a nice wine to drink if someone else picks up the tab.