TN: 87 Diamond Creek, 82 Rauzan Segla, 09 Continuum, 07 Alban "Reva" + more

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.

I agree with you Roy, the wines in that great 1984-1987 run by Diamond Creek are prime for drinking right now. We opened them all, sans either Lake Vineyard, last May @ a dinner around my 50th and the 84s were best in show that night. 85 Red Rock Terrace and 86 & 87 Gravelly Meadow also showed very well.

Thanks to everyone for their generosity. Amazing wines and no shortage of them. In addition to the wines Roy listed some of the other wines that were consumed are below. There are some bottles that left the building so I missed them and maybe a few others. It was a fun night.

Westerhold '08 extended barrel Syrah (fall release 49 cases)
Westerhold '08 Syrah
Marcassin Marcassin Estate Pinot
Schrader '07 Beckstoffer ToKalon
SQN Atlantis
Bevan '09 Showket Vnyd Red
Myriad Petit Verdot
Penfold’s '08 Bin 707
Carter Cellars '09 Hossfield Coliseum Red
Pahlmeyer '06 Red
Kosta Browne '04 Kanzler Pinot
Hundred Acre '04 Ancient Way Shiraz
William Seylem '08 Vista Verde Vnyd Pinot
Kay Bros '98 Amery Block 6 Shiras
Pegau '98 Cubvee Lawrence CDP
Hourglass Blueline '07 Cab Franc
Campesino '09 Somoma Coast Syrah

And of course last but not least … Classic
La Tache 1945 Monoply neener

Ah, yes… the 1945 La Tache “Monopoly,” but it must have been an off bottle, as it tasted more like Yellowtail. Any ideas? Is this guy trustworthy?

This was actually one of the older California Cabernets I brought Roy, a 1987 Red Rock Terrace! It fit in nicely with the older Bordeaux. A fun evening! [cheers.gif]

Nick,

Thank you for bringing this. My wotn! Fantastic!

Roy,

Thanks for the notes. Fun time last Saturday. The amount of good wines being poured was typical Berserker. I never had a Wren Hop pinot before. A pleasant surprise.

Thanks for the note on the '87 Diamond Creek, recently picked up a bottle and now can’t wait to try it.