INSIGNIA, SHAFER, PEPPIERE - My backyard (5/27/2014)
After a long weekend of diners and parties, my wife and I had a few friends and neighbors over for a couple of glasses of wine by the fire. Very casual. The wines, however, were anything but. It was a perfect time to open some cherished bottles and sit back and relax.
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2012 Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
Always a great value. A nose of sea shells, and sea air. Medium bodied. Crisp and clean. Nice acidity. Not much fruit here (some vintages have a bit more citrus). Still very nice. On its own or with food. (90 pts.) -
2007 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
This has always been my favorite vintage for this wine. While it still has a long life ahead, it has lost its youthful exuberance that I loved. Still a beautiful cab. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cassis, coffee, and some leather. Showing depth and some tight layering. Great cassis fruit on the palate. Nice finish. (93 pts.) -
2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
Wow. Stunning. This was bought on release before the WSWOTY came out, so for a reasonable price. My last bottle. It blew everyone away. When there was one more pour in the bottle, my wife claimed it and that was that! Purple in color. Amazing nose of cassis, leather, graphite, liqueur, and floral notes. On the palate, this is in a perfect place. Complex and layered, but with lots of fruit. Still has light tannins to resolve. Finish goes on forever. This was easily the best bottle of Insignia I can remember having. Wow. (100 pts.)
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