CLERICO, MARCASSIN, EINAUDI, ZH, CERBAIONA + - (2/19/2012)
Last night I got together with my SonkinCellar partners to discuss plans for our next vintage, life, politics and a bunch of stuff. Of course we opened some bottles of our wine. Interestingly, one was the first off bottle I have experienced. The cork was soaked to the top and the bottle while good was clearly not as good as a second bottle. Who do I call for a refund? Both were slow-oxed for 10 hours. I won’t comment on the wines other than to say, they are still quite young (PM me if you want my private thoughts). Enough that we are considering delaying our 2010 release until the fall. As for the other wines:
To get the party started:
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2004 Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne
Light golden, nice mousse, small bubble. Toast on the nose. This is crisp with nice acidity. Not a ton of fruit, but some lemon chiffon and a lanolin quality. Enough fruit to hold up though. Nice finish. Nice way to start. The crowd seemed to like it. (90 pts.)
A couple of whites:
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2006 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Slightly cloudy. The nose is smoky, yeasty with a wet hay note to it. Not bad, but a bit odd. On the palate, this is ok. Frankly, its flabby. Its not bad as much as it disappoints based on expectations. Certainly a drinkable Cal Chard. Solid. (88 pts.) -
2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Herrenweg de Turckheim - France, Alsace, Turckheim, Alsace AOC
Most of the crowd pegged this as their WOTN. While I would not go that far, this was a really good bottle. The nose is pretty clean with minerals, limes and some seltzer. Great texture. Complex and mature but just a hint of diesel. Delicious wine that worked as a cocktail or with some cheese and crackers. (92 pts.)
Some reds with dinner:
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2000 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
I thought this was delicious. Slow-oxed for about 12 hours. Ruby in color. The nose is great with tar, roses, and dried cherries. Complex and deep. This is still youthful and not at maturity. Still, once in the glass, it really unwinds and shows a lot. Delicious and got better all night long. I love Barolo. (94 pts.) -
1999 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo Costa Grimaldi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
This had some stink on the nose when it first was opened (pop and pour). It blew off a bit. Dusty cherries with some floral notes as well. On the palate, this is a bit mono-dimensional. Perhaps it needed air but this was solid yet unspectacular. Next to the Clerico, it was weak. (89 pts.) -
2001 Cerbaiona (Molinari) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Pop and pour. This might have benefited from air. The nose has nice cherry fruit. Some dusty notes as well. On the palate, this has some complexity and depth. Plenty of fruit left. Very enjoyable. I think this has lots of life left before peaking. (90 pts.)
It really is great to enjoy the people that you work with. Who knows where we go from here, but so far, its been great.
Posted from CellarTracker