NEW WORLD DINNER AT THE CAPITAL GRILLE TYSONS - Capital Grille, Tysons, VA (5/22/2014)
RJ organized a new world dinner. I am not a big domestic wine guy but can’t say no to the Man! He mentioned three Americas but I stupidly assumed that he meant three new world continents as no way he meant the Central America. Oh well.
I was really happy as I discovered the 10 Myriad Beckstoffer. The last time that I was so excited about a napa cab was the 06 Schrader CCS Beckstoffer to Kalon. A truly great wine especially for the price. The 08 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin was the best Marcassin of my life, showing wonderful balance. It seems like Marcassin has dialed back a bit to show better balance.
Whites
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2009 Peter Michael Chardonnay Cuvée Indigene - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
Ripe yellow fruits, apple, sweet spices, mineral and a hint of heat. Excellent concentration, limestone, very rich fruit and bright acidity. Although impressive and balanced, I don’t find freshness and precision. (91 pts.) -
2011 Sanguis Chardonnay Loner W10-a Bien Nacido Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Notice a bit of fizz. Some white fruits, lemon curd and mineral. Good concentration and bright acidity. Seem to aim for freshness but also remains very Californian. (91 pts.) -
2007 Sine Qua Non Body & Soul - USA, California
As usual, really depend on your % alcohol tolerance and stylistic preference. If you like SQN whites, you will love this. Ripe white fruits, lychee, acacia, honey and spicy spices. Thick and oily but showing decent freshness, a bit of heat at the end for my palate. (92 pts.) -
2010 Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Coup de Coeur - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Tropical fruit driven, coconut, noticeable oak and mineral. Good concentration, ripe but balanced and mineral. A typical high end Californian chardonnay. (92 pts.) -
2010 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Fresh apple, lemon curd and good amount of mineral. Big scale, ripe, good acidity and balance. Showing good freshness. (93 pts.) -
2008 Marcassin Chardonnay Marcassin Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
I am not a big fan of Marcassin but this is exceptional. Noticeable smoke, kinda crazy but reminds me smoked Ankimo/uni, really creamy butter, smoked fish, saline, mineral and lemon. Excellent concentration but remains balanced, mineral and fresh. The best Marcassin I have drunk. (97 pts.) -
1997 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Goldert - France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru AOC
Fresh, ripe yellow peach, crème brulee, sweet spices and smoke. Fully matured but remain fresh. Still noticeable sugar which is usual for ZH. Enjoyable.
First flight of reds
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2010 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
I am thinking cult cab, perhaps HSS? A hint of dust, cassis, smoke, lavender, ink, smoke, graphite and earth. Excellent concentration, noticeable mineral expression, polished, silky, noticeable but none obtrusive tannins. Showing great balance, polished palate impression, exceptional concentration and excellent structure. I no longer buy Cab other than Schrader’s but I may need to order this. Wow wine for me. (97 pts.) -
2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
Really ripe black fruits, cassis, lead pencil, lactic, oak and a hint of oxidative note that bothers me. Good concentration, palate but once again a bit oxidative. (92 pts.) -
1994 Dalla Valle Maya - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
My guess was the 92 Phillip Togni cab. Classic Californian cab nose, green pepper, white pepper, lead pencil, fresh black fruits and mineral. Lovely mouthfeel, silky and sensual, mineral and lovely seamless finish. Fresh expressive nose and subtle perfectly balanced palate. When it was revealed, I was really surprised. Really enjoyable. Hind sight, it shows a bit more concentration. (96 pts.) -
2007 Ovid Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Lovely red fruits, soft and warm nose, lead pencil and oak. Nice polished palate, warm and round fruit driven palate impression, silky and polished and nicely integrated tannins .Quite enjoyable but not as expression as #1 and #3. (93 pts.)
Second flight of reds
The 07 Bionic Frog was really nice. I guessed an old world style syrah. I was really impressed as RJ guessed it correctly.
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2008 Viña Cobos Malbec Bramare Marchiori Vineyard - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
I am thinking SQN, definitely not a cab, big ripe black fruits, a hint of licorice and dark sweet spices. Impressive concentration, silky palate, good balance and nicely integrated tannin. Hedonistic wine. (95 pts.) -
2009 Viña Cobos Malbec Bramare Marchiori Vineyard - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
Once again I am thinking SQN but more red fruits. Ripe red fruits, ink, licorice and dark sweet spices. Impressive concentration, silky, round and warm palate, good balance and nicely integrated tannins. Another hedonistic wine! (95 pts.) -
2001 Torbreck Run Rig - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
RJ said three Americas and I stupidly assumed and interpreted as new world continents. I thought certainly he didn’t mean central America. Oh well, I should ask next time. Jammy black fruits, licorice, dark spices and dark milk chocolate. Some thought cab as it is actually nicely balanced for such a big wine. Excellent concentration, dark spice driven palate impression, warm and round and nicely integrated tannins. Although well made, not shining compare to the others. (93 pts.) -
2007 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Greg O who brought this bottle also generously shared the 08 a couple years ago which I was confused with the 04 Chave hermitage. Explosive nose of fresh dark berries, white pepper, dark spices, lavender and a hint of espresso bean. Beautiful silky and polished palate, lovely balance and long clean finish. There is something quite exotic about this wine that I can’t pinpoint, slightly psychedelic and groovy. (97 pts.) -
2001 Dominus Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley
The guys were still thirsty and Greg O generously opened his back up bottle. Unfortunately corked! NR (flawed)
The wine service was once again exceptional! Walter, our waiter who is passionate about wine went above and beyond to take great care of us. The steaks were cooked perfectly and complemented the big frame wines really well. Another wonderful night with the fellows!
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