TN: Gaja, Guigal La Turque, Anthill Farms, Vietti Barolo, And a surprise.

WINE TALK
1

Had dinner with Jared Etzel, Janet Viader, Powell Yang and a few others the other night. It was the first time in ages I can remember personally rating every wine 90 or higher at a single event. And there was one big surprise result.

2005 Cloud View, Napa Valley
This no longer exists, as it was bought out by Tim Mondavi and is now part if the vast Continuum Estate on Prichard Hill. This is a nice way to go out! 52% Cab, 48% Merlot. Structured and pretty aromas of black fruits with a touch of sweetness and solid grip. Drink over the next decade. Their best since the 2000.
90pts

2005 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
I am usually not a fan of young Barolo, and in fact I know nothing about this producer, or this bottling. Unlike many young Barolos, this one did not seem overly acidic. It had really good structure, nice red fruits and spice in the nose, and a long finish. This was infanticide, but fun anyway.
91++

2006 Anthill Farms “Comptche Ridge Vineyard” Mendocino County
From a very cool vineyard apparently, this is a really nice Pinot in what is fast becoming my stylistic zone for Cali Pinot; ripe but not too ripe, balanced and not trying to show off. Has elevated fruit tones, with gravelly and a slight touch of earthiness. Again, nice structure. Drink over the next 5 years.
91pts

2001 Gaja “Conteisa” Barolo
Would not guess this is 4 years older than the Vietti. Bigger and blacker fruits in the mouth, less acid and more power, but not a brute. Needs 6-8 more years? Sheesh! Excellent though.
92+

2001 Guigal “La Turque” Cotie Rotie
Surprisingly, not a big wine. Ruby color. Medium-full body. Why was I expecting SQN? Did not start out as my WOTN, but after 90 minutes, it’s complexity just gained and gained and gained. Bet it would have gotten even better if we did not run out. Red and black fruits, layers of spice. Very complex. Drink over the next decade.
95pts

Powell brought a wine wrapped in foil. We all tried to guess what it was, and everyone guessed Right Bank Bordeaux. At least I got the year right. Qualifies as my shocking TN of the year perhaps.

1986 Kenwood Artist Series Cab, Sonoma
Apparently available for $30 online. Ruby color that is faded but no bricking. Medium-bodied. Tastes of nicely aged Right Bank Bordeaux; smells of cedar and cherry with some underbrush but no green. Smooth as silk. Peaking right now at age 23. Would never have guessed this a US wine, much less Sonoma. Spent 30 months in oak. A shocker and a ringer for an aged mid-1990’s Spottswoode.
94pts

Here is the lineup

2

I always liked Cloudview. Perhaps they underperformed a bit for their location, but they were such nice people. Thanks for posting.

3

Thanks for the note on the Cloudview. The last vintage I had was the 04 and never got any of the 05 though I should.

I drank my last 01 a few weeks ago and it was drinking well with some air. Lots of minerals and black fruits. I’m a fan of their style.

Have you had the continuum made with Cloudview fruit? I am very interested in it.

4

AFAIK, the Continuum’s w/ Cloudview fruit won’t start until the 09’s are released (might be 08, too many numbers in my head). Will be interesting to see the shift from ToKalon/floor to Pritchard Hill. I like the Continuum as currently constituted, so I think the bar is set high - but I think they can pull it off.

5

Thanks for the info William. If they bought it after 05 but the fruit won’t be used until 09, do you know where it is going for those couple years? Or is some of it being blended with To Kalon for Continuum?

I haven’t tried Continuum yet.