Met with Dan Hammer and about 20 other Berserkers last night at Napa Wine & Cigar. As usual, a ridiculous lineup of stuff. Here are some of my highlights… After seeing the “should we break the 100-point barrier” thread on another board, I decided to go back to a 20-point scoring system for a while in protest.
1987 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow, Napa, $?
Translucent ruby color with the color fading but no real browning at the edges. Medium-bodied with light red fruit and a nice, pleasantly herbal edge. Really impressive, with no sharp edges and no fatigue. I would not hold this any longer. A ringer for older Bordeaux.
19.0
1982 Rauzan Segla, Margaux, $?
If not for the Diamond Creek, my mature WOTN. Super smooth with an amazingly elegant mouthfeel and still some lithe, warm fruits on the palate. Screams the word “claret” and makes me imagine having this with Michael Broadbent at the table. I would drink this now. The 89 and 96 were there too, but I doubt either will reach the level of this one.
18.5
09 Continuum, Napa Valley, $alot
First time I’ve had this from bottle. This is also, I believe, the first that is 100% Pritchard Hill. A stunner to me. Has to have a big chunk of Franc in it. Red fruits galore with a mineral edge and substantial tannin. Tim must be loving life right now. Give this 3-5 years.
18.5
2009 Wren Hop Russian River Pinot, $?
Russell Bevan was there and brought along a few of the new 09 Wren Hop lineup. The RRV Pinot was sexy and very fruit forward, with big ripeness and hedonistic flavors. If you like RB’s Cabs, and like the riper-style of Pinot, these are worth seeking out. I would drink this over the next 1-3 years.
18.0
08 Colgin IX Syrah, Napa Valley, $?
As good a Napa Syrah as I’ve had. Intense black fruit aromas and a skyscraper mouthfeel with a substantial dose of tannin on the finish from its Pritchard location. Very concentrated and lush. Needs 2-3 more years at least.
18.5
2007 Alban “Reva” Syrah, $
As usual, a monster, with off the charts ripeness. No way was this not at least 28 brix when picked and might be 16%+ real alcohol. Hedonistic is the word to describe it, and although I have found Reva’s to be too much and sometimes pruney, this one dances at the edge without going over. Motor oil texture and color with a dense mouthfeel. I do not know how this will age.
18.0
There were also a few high-end Pinots that I thought were not as good now as a few years ago (although they were still solid,) even though they were just 7-8 years old, re-enforcing my belief that high-octane Pinots should be consumed within 1-3 years of release, when they are exuberantly fruity.
A fun night.