2007 Dehlinger Syrah Estate- USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/4/2010)
I got on their list just because of the syrah. i know they make old bones, but I wanted to try one young. I can’t believe how smooth this wine is. It just glides down your throat. Great silkiness but that doesn’t do it justice. There is nice ripe fruit there as well. Kind of boysenberry like. Primary at this stage, but based on other vintages, I am sure this will develop well. I guess next time I need to up my order quantity. (93 pts.)
2008 Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 200- USA, California, Napa Valley (12/4/2010)
Not sure about all the secret pedigree, but this is a solid Cal Cab and certainly worth the money. Young and seems like a few years from maturity. Nice balance and elegance. Different on day 2, a bit more unwound but not better or worse. I will plan on drinking mine over the next five years and might consider picking up more if I see them. (90 pts.)
2007 Domaine Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Villages Les Champauvins- France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages (12/4/2010)
Better than a previous bottle. Starting to come around. Still shows tightly but with air, this started to show some complexity. Red fruit mostly but some earthiness. No degradation on Day 2. Always a favorite of mine, this vintage needs some extra thought. (89 pts.)
I popped a lot 200 the other day and found the tannins rather soft. On day 3, the flavors really started to come around and I enjoyed it, but w/o the tannic frame, it just didn’t slay me. Reckon they’ll flesh out in time?
That Grand Veneur has some serious variation as I’ve noted on CT. A good one is outstanding, but the bad ones are just plain awful. I’m batting around 50/50 on them so far, very disappointing. For whatever reason, I have also noted significant variation in other 2007 CDR’s. I wonder if someone knowledgeable about getting this stuff into bottle could speculate on where in the process you can end up with such variation as my guess is that the problem is at the source.
+1 on Kenny’s comments, I was a HUGE fan of the Champauvin for a number of vintages prior to 07. Always solid, consistent. Don’t know what happened with the 07s but I tried about 4 that were all over the map. I like to give producers the benefit of the doubt when I’ve liked their wines this much in the past, but I’ve moved away from these guys…you just don’t know what you’re going to open.
Oh, and I LOVE Dehlinger Syrahs…lay them down for a while and you’ll be richly rewarded!