TN: Cellar Reduction, The Fun Way

WINE TALK
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CELLAR REDUCTION, THE FUN WAY - Santa Ynez Valley (1/6/2014)

Some of my friends selflessly agreed to help me deal with a cellar overflow problem that was becoming increasingly evident. The volume of wine opened (including multiple bottles on most of the 750s) exceeded our capacity, but at least we made a decent start of things, with more tasting to follow of course. Kudos to Lail for a level of acclaim that exceeded my high expectations.
Whites

  • 2006 Château Carbonnieux Blanc - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
    Pleasing but never inspiring, with slightly oxidized notes and a waxy texture highlighting the citrus and melon notes along with some minerality. (90 pts.)

  • 2006 Lail Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Georgia - USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville
    A stunning bottle, and my WOTN. Pale yellow in the glass, with an extremely expressive nose of lychee, melon and honey. Crisp citrus flavors on the palate, dry and complex, with vanillin emerging on the long finish. The best domestic SB I’ve encountered, with every indication of the ability to last another decade-plus. (96 pts.)

  • 2009 Henri Darnat-Jacquinet Meursault - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
    Greatly improved from my last bottle, with increased complexity and a lengthier finish. The nose of citrus, peach and mild herbs gives way to mouthfuls of lemon curd and green apples alongside a touch of toasted marshmallow. These bottles continue to evolve impressively, with no rush whatsoever. (92 pts.)

Reds (no Cab/Merlot/Syrah permitted – cannot recall why!)

  • 2003 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Omega - USA, Oregon, Yamhill County
    From a magnum whose signs of seepage compelling me to bite the bullet and crack this one open. Slow-ox’ed for 6 hours, the wine remained monolithic all evening, then revealed more on the next day. The nose of ripe, mature red fruits and cedar gives way to concentrated, rich fruit, very much in balance with the oak notes. I found the extraction to be a welcome complement to the layered, pure fruit. Opulent and somewhat unique, not for everyone to be sure. (93 pts.)

  • 2006 Sine Qua Non Grenache Raven Series - USA, California
    Such a powerhouse. Nose of bacon and and dark berries. So many flavors swirl in the mouth, from the first sip of the bottle to the last. Sweet currants, berry jam, coffee, spice and licorice. Medium bodied but ponderous as well, with a long finish. My best Raven yet. (93 pts.)

  • 2004 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
    From a magnum, slow-ox’ed and served at cellar temperature. Concentrated, opulent and complex: berries, vanilla, forest floor and a rustic edge. Sweet tannins and a long, generous finish. (95 pts.)

  • 2002 Argiolas Turriga Isola dei Nuraghi IGT - Italy, Sardinia, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT
    Opened too early, but evolved nicely through the evening. Notes of spice, charcoal, tart berries and coffee. Balanced and rewarding, a nice but contrasting comparison alongside the French and Cali Grenache we enjoyed alongside this. Turriga always evokes the windswept terroir from which it comes, and this one did not disappoint. (92 pts.)

  • 1999 Louis Jadot Echezeaux - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
    Sweet and tangy, more rustic than elegant and more herbal than floral, with a wonderful chewiness and a sweet, lengthy finish. (93 pts.)

  • 1998 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé Chambolle-Musigny - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny
    A bit more subdued to my taste than others found this wine. Still quite fresh, with impressive depth of flavors (mainly cherries), but faded on the mid-palate, and I found the acidity a bit distracting. (92 pts.)

A Sticky Before We Go To Sleep

  • 1998 Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume
    Effortlessly elegant, more restrained than lush, with pleasing minerality accompanying notes of apple and muted citrus, crushed pebbles and honeyed pear. Fine acidity. Lengthy, satisfying finish. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Wow! Nice selection! A lot better than my typical housecleaning, which usually involves a lot of “why did I ever buy this” bottles:)

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Was that the order of drinking? It would be a very mild day in Hell when a SB was my WOTN :stuck_out_tongue:

Great variety of wines.

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Dave, that was my order. Though some advanced the Burgs in the lineup, I had intended to layer in some Nebbioli for comparison, oh well. As to the Lail, “challenge accepted!” Cheers!

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Thanks for the '99 Jadot Echezeauz note. Last time I had it the wine was closed up like a bank vault.

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I should have noted the 8-hour slow-ox, thanks [training.gif]