4TH OF JULY WEEKEND WINES - LOTS OF 'EM - Northeast Ohio (7/3/2014-7/7/2014)
This past weekend was the Fourth of July. I had been asked to write an article recommending wines for that occasion. See http://www.intowine.com/fourth-july-wine-list , I got to most of the wineries I listed and many of the wines. In any event, it was a great weekend. We were blessed with perfect weather which made for lots of outdoor drinking with friends.
Jaffurs Night on the front Patio
With the Ordering due to the Futures, we wanted to make room in the cellar and drink some Jaffurs. Some neighbors out walking the dog stopped by and the wines showed well. This was a relaxing day evening after a short day of work, some yard work and some prep for Friday.
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2010 Jaffurs High Tide - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (7/5/2014)
We opened this to start off our 4th of July weekend festivities. Ruby in color. The nose was nice but not profound with some cherries and raspberries, a bit of pepper and slight funk. A bit shrill and acidic on the palate and lacking weight. Never had this before, but I trust Jaffurs, so this was recorked and put away for the next day. On Day 2, this got a bit darker, more purple. Some of the funk came out on the nose as it got deeper and bigger. On the palate, the shrillness was gone. Lots of purple and red fruits. Deep and it put on weight. Easily 5 points better, but I still think this should not be opened for a few more years, minimum. Five would be great. (92 pts.) -
2007 Jaffurs Syrah Thompson Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (7/5/2014)
So, after the High Tide, we opened this. Much more like it and ready. Still youthful with years left, its drinking great and lush today. Purple in color. Big, deep nose with black raspberries, roasting meats, slightly gamey, black pepper and a bit or charred wood. Full bodied. Lush texture. Great fruit, black raspberries, depth and layered complexity. Good acidity. Soft tannins. Long finish. Just a really pretty wine and everything I want and more from SoCal Syrah. No hurry, but if you have a few, worth drinking one now. (93 pts.)
A quiet dinner with friends
After a day celebrating with the neighborhood association at the pool, and a quick nap, we went over to friends to celebrate the 4th. We started with cocktails, then wines with dinner, and finished with some Irish Whiskey and Bourbons. We also drank a bottle of our 2011 Sonkincellars Persona which is drinking quite nicely now (lots of my notes are posted elsewhere).
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2012 Carlisle Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain (7/5/2014)
Green/gold in color. This was popped and poured. The nose has minerals, limes and slight steely notes. On the palate, this is crisp and clean. I have had prior vintages and this seems more mineral driven, less citrus, and crisp than I remember those. A bit more acidic bite. After the first sip, and with some food, it worked quite well. Quite an enjoyable version of a GV. Interesting that a typical Euro (Austrian) version would be more fruity than a Cal version. (91 pts.) -
2008 Kelley Fox Wines Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (7/5/2014)
Nice showing for this wine. Perhaps not as flamboyant as a wine last summer, but that’s not a bad thing. Light ruby in color. The nose has cherries, cloves, cherry juice with slight vanilla notes that I don’t remember it having before. Medium bodied. Young (I should have held this a while longer but that’s ok#, it kept getting better over the hour or two it was opened. Layers of cherry and earthiness. Very fresh. food friendly. Great wine. #93 pts.)
A not so quiet dinner with friends
Jane and I went over to our friends Chris and Rene. We were joined by their daughter, and another couple and their daughters dog. Later Mike and Lori came by with their dog. Things were a bit raucous and a lot of fun. In between, we managed to drink a lot of wine. A couple of non-USA wines slipped in at the end, but that’s ok too.
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2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvedre Ode to Lulu Old Vine Rosé - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (7/6/2014)
Another very good Rose from Bedrock. This is the third vintage I think I have tasted and all of them have been very good. Light pink in color, pretty. The nose has nice sour cherries. Nice acidity. Very refreshing. Easy to drink outside on a warm evening. No bitterness that can sometimes be an issue with rose’s. (88 pts.) -
2011 Carlisle The Derivative White - USA, California, Sonoma County (7/6/2014)
My first time trying this wine. very nice. I think Chris said it had some Semillon in it. Not sure what else. The nose has some honey dew melon and a floral note. More mineral driven on the palate. Seems to have depth and a modicum of complexity. Worked well with food. (90 pts.) -
2000 Vino Bambino Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (7/6/2014)
Cool story behind this wine, but I found it just meh. Light ruby in color. The nose has some cherries to it. Not much else for such an older wine. On the palate, there is fruit left. Simple and one dimensional with a bit too much tart acidity for my tastes. It is interesting I thought it reminded me of a cru Beaujolais that was a bit past prime. Others may have liked it more, but it didn’t get much discussion. (85 pts.) -
2012 Sineann Grüner Veltliner - USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Gorge (7/6/2014)
I am a fan of this wine. Obviously, not a lot of Washington/Oregon GV’s out there. It is more fruit forward than a Carlisle that I had the night before. More limes and an oily texture. This seems to be a bit sweeter, more of a perception or perhaps a light RS. Food friendly and easy to drink. No bite. I think I prefer this slightly to the Carlisle, but it might be opposite in the colder weather. (91 pts.) -
1991 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/6/2014)
This was going to be slow oxed but the cork crumbled, so it was decanted and rebottled about 8 hours prior to drinking. In addition, the bottle travelled a lot during its life although was well stored. This is ready to drink. All the tannins are integrated and I think its as good as it gets. purple/ruby in color. The nose is dusty with cassis, some dried berries, and bit of a charred/dry quality. On the palate, complex and drinking well. Perhaps a bit thin compared to the Howell Mountain, but still has plenty of body. Nice balance. Good finish. Stayed strong even when drinking a glass a couple of hours after dinner. (92 pts.) -
1992 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (7/6/2014)
I loved this wine. It was slow oxed for about 6 hours then decanted for another hour prior to drinking. Still on the young side. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, dust, Chris thought there was a slight eucalyptus note. I didn’t get that but perhaps a bit of rosemary. Full bodied. Great texture. Lots of cassis fruit. Layered complexity. Not yet at peak. Gorgeous wine that might still improve a bit. (95 pts.) -
2007 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (7/6/2014)
This was really good. Still on the youthful side, it is drinking beautifully today. This was decanted, I believe for about an hour. Purple in color. Cassis, plum, dust, vanilla, cocoa on the nose. Lush and juicy texture. Lots of stuffing although tightly bound. Great width and depth. Nice finish. Another 5 years I think will be well rewarded. Really a beautiful wine. (93 pts.) -
2007 Grassi Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/6/2014)
This was a new wine for me. It is quite good but lagged a bit next to the plumpjack. Purple in color. The nose is cassis, dust and a bit of lumber. On the palate, this is medium to full bodied. I think its at peak, but who knows. Doesn’t seem to have a lot to unveil, but there is some complexity. Very delicious. I would like to taste more from here. (91 pts.) -
2005 Bodega Carmen Rodríguez Toro Caro Dorum Seleccion Especial - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro (7/6/2014)
This was opened very late and I am not sure, but I guessed Tempranillo. Purple in color. The nose has dark cherries and vanilla. Full bodied. This is a bomb and could use a bit more acidity but drinks very easily. Lots of chocolate covered and fresh cherry flavors. Nice around the fire. (91 pts.) -
1994 Dow Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (7/6/2014)
Slow oxed for 6 hours and decanted for a few more. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is nice with milk chocolate covered raisins. A bit of alcohol at first, but that blew off. Nice full texture. Some heat on the palate, but I adjusted. I would have preferred a bit more sweetness. It has a nice complexity to it and worked very well with Mike’s Chocolate Chip cookies by the fire. Not top echelon, but still outstanding. (92 pts.)
Finishing up the weekend on the patio
As the weekend drew to a close, we were back on the front patios, snaring neighbors who walked by and sharing wine with them. A quiet end to another great weekend.
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2008 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (7/7/2014)
Pop and pour, this needs time and air. Purple in color. On opening it was a bit port-like and alcoholic. With some air, it settles down, eventually developing a rich lush texture. Lots of black raspberries, cherries, macerated cherries, some floral notes and camphor. On the palate, this is delicious and easy to drink. While the alcohol is not noticeable on the palate, one glass and I was buzzed. I had a bit more and then decided to open something else and leave the remains for others. A little bit of this goes a long way. That’s not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind. I think a few more years of cellaring will be well rewarded. (96 pts.) -
2008 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/7/2014)
This bottle was an unsolicited replacement bottle for a corked bottle. RM has some of the best customer service. Pop and pour, this developed well over the hour or two it was open. The nose has cassis, some oak, and some spice. Juicy texture. There is a good amount of fruit, but everything is in balance. Tight layering as it unwinds in the glass. Everyone loved it. (93 pts.) -
2011 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/7/2014)
We needed more wine, so, remembering that the offer comes out this week, I went down and opened this. Purple in color. The nose is very nice with cassis, blueberries, a bit jammy and some leather/tobacco notes. On the palate, this drinks quite easily. I think a couple more years will soften this up just a bit as it gains complexity. Nevertheless, it is drinking quite enjoyably now with medium firm tannins. Order more. (92 pts.)
The best part of having a cellar is sharing laughs, conversation and moments with friends. When the wines don’t suck, that’s a plus too!
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