TN: 07 Sancerre "Monts Damnes", 07 Peay Estate Pinot, 83 Ridge Jimsomare Cabernet

WINE TALK
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07 SANCERRE “MONTS DAMNES”, 07 PEAY ESTATE PINOT, 83 RIDGE JIMSOMARE CABERNET - Rockridge, CA (Oakland) (8/21/2009)

My brother was up from the LA area so we made a simple dinner and had a few wines knowing that Saturday and Sunday would be a little more action packed. A simple meal of flank steak with a pomegranate reduction, heirloom tomato/caprese salad, sweet potato fries and steamed broccoli.

  • 2007 Thomas-Labaille Sancerre Chavignol Cuvee Buster Les Monts Damnés - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
    Second bottle I have had and I can’t believe there are no CT notes. Well okay, we opened a bottle with Stuart Yaniger the week before and that bottle was a little better. My note on that first bottle “Thinking back on this, this wine rocked and everyone who likes Sancerre and crisp, lemony, minerally whites should buy this. Around $25 per bottle. As stated it is laser sharp with crushed rock minerality, lemons. The focus and crispness on this wine cries out for food but there is a little richness to it as well. 93/100”

Well, this one underperformed. The acid was almost overwhelming everything. A quick taste on day 3 and it had fleshed out better, showing more complexity but still very citrus dominated, minerals, honeysuckle and lime skin. Tasty but oooh that first bottle. (89 pts.)

  • 2007 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
    Popped this to have with dinner. This wine is entering a nice drinking phase. A rich, early drinking wine with dark cherries, nice baking spice and a hint of underbrush. Well balanced if in need of just a little bit of acidity but just enough complexity to get it into the “excellent” category. I would drink these over the next 3 years. (89 pts.)
  • 1983 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Jimsomare - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
    My brother had shipped this up earlier in the week. Accompanied flank steak with pomegranate reduction. Alcohol was about 10.9% according to the label. It is very nice but I wonder if the ripeness was pushed a little bit more if this would have been extraordinary…as it was, a refreshing bdx/claret like wine showing dark fruit, leather and cedar with a nice presence through the midpalate. The finish is falling of a bit but this is drinking well and should last a few more years. Worked well with the steak. (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Thanks for the note Tony. Not one of the best Jimsomare’s I’ve had but very enjoyable.

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Joe Dressner’s dog Buster passed away recently. maybe the underperform was out of mourning.

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I actually enjoy the regular Le Mont Damnes cuvee, and consider it a wine to buy by the case when I can find it. I think I ended up going through almost two cases of the '06, but I haven’t seen the '07 available yet.

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I knew i still had some Cuvee Buster, but coudn’t remember the exact year. So I just checked, its the 2005 I have. Frank Tota turned me on to it and I’ve had 4-5 bottles of it over the past few years. That said I prefer the 2005 vintage a bit more. It is better balanced and not as acidic. Although it didn’t bother me as much as it did Tony on the 2007 version. I’ve got a few more of the 2005 left, so Tony next time your down remind me and I’ll crack one open to see how they’re aging.

The Ridge was good and at it’s peak or just slightly past, but will hold up for a bit longer. I really liked the leather, and earthyness this had. A fun wine that shows Jimsomare are capable of aging, even though it can be hit or miss as a vineyard designate wine. It was funny to see how low the listed alcohol was…who say’s a wines had to be ripe to age well [stirthepothal.gif]