TN: Sacred Cow is released into the wild

WINE TALK
1

SACRED COW IS RELEASED INTO THE WILD - Restaurant X, Oklahoma, OK (10/17/2009)

Saturday night several Berserkers/Spectators/Exilers gathered together at yet another restaurant to remain nameless in Oklahoma City to formally release Sacred Cow back into the wilds of singledom.

Now onto the show…
The first three wines were for happy hour before arriving at the restaurant. The rest were tasted at the restaurant.

  • 2008 Jean-Pierre et Jean-Francois Quenard Vin de Savoie Chignin-Bergeron Vieilles Vignes - France, Savoie, Vin de Savoie Chignin-Bergeron
    WIML91

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Consistent with the previous bottle. Straw to light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of paraffin, tropical fruits, yellow pears and a bit of florals. Flavors of yellow pears, yellow apples and minerals. Medium to bright acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. I’ll likely be buying more. Much more. (91 pts.)

  • 2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 4 Barrel - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
    WIML92

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Garnet to dark garnet color in the glas, clear hue throughout. Nose of briar patch, black cherries, black berries and a bit of white pepper. A little later a tiny note of grapefruit. Flavors of black berries, black raspberries and black cherries. Medium acidity and tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with a little air or a lot of air or continue to hold. The reason I say that is because it was a solid WIML92 upon opening and the next day but right around the 5 hour mark whenever else had it it came across as hot and green. Beware. (92 pts.)

  • 2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlo’s Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
    WIML91

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of currants, balsamic, Welches grape juice and black berries. Flavors of black berries and black raspberries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)

  • N.V. Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut - France, Champagne
    WIML88

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with light, steady beading. Nose of yellow apples, mushrooms, a bit of brioche and light cherries. Flavors of yellow apples, yellow pears and a bit of lemon zest. Medium to bright acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink over the short term. (88 pts.)

  • 2004 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
    WIML91

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose starts with a bit of sulphur followed by toast, caramel and a bit of yellow pear. Flavors of yellow apples, yellow pears and minerals. Medium acidity, light to medium body. (91 pts.)

  • 2007 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
    WIML90

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of toasted oak, vanilla and cream. Flavors of toast, hazlenut and yellow pears. Medium acidity and body. Drink over the short term, perhaps the medium term. (90 pts.)

  • 2004 Kistler Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Carneros
    WIML90

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of toast, a bit oif camphor and a dash of vanilla. Flavors of yellow pears, yellow apples and a dash of creme. Medium acidity and body. Drink now with a little air time to let it open up or continue to hold. (90 pts.)

  • 2007 Sine Qua Non Stripes & Stars - USA, California, Central Coast
    WIMLNR

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

15.8% alcohol. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of scorched earth, black cherries, black berries and black raspberries. Flavors of Kirsch, black berries and black raspberries. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Really odd smelling and tasting for an SQN. Not sure what to make of this one. No rating.

  • 1989 Château Palmer - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
    WIML93+

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of thistle, potpourri, black cherries and tobacco. Flavors of black cherries and black berries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (93 pts.)

  • 1989 Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Générations - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
    WIML93-94

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of licorice, black berries, plums, currants and light brown sugar notes. Flavors of black berries and plums. Medium acidity, integrated tannins, medium body. Drink now. Showing well especially if you follow it in the glass over 2-3 hours total time. (93 pts.)

  • 2004 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Ten - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills
    WIML91?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Decanted 5 hours. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Slightly big nose which I guess is to be expected with this young CA Pinot showing notes of plums, currants, black cherries, black berries and a bit of white pepper. Rich flavors of black berries, plums and black cherries. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink now with plenty of air or continue to hold over the medium term. (91 pts.)

  • 1997 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
    WIML91-92?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of thistle, plums, tobacco, black cherries and a bit of rose petals. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and plums. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold but seems in a really good place right now. (91 pts.)

  • 1999 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
    WIML92

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of smoke, plums, florals, currants, raspberries and a bit of dark chocolate. Lovely flavors of plums, berrries, a bit of Bing cherry and a dash of raspberries. Medium acidity, firm tannins and body. Drink now with some air time or continue to hold. (92 pts.)

  • 2000 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
    WIML90

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of herbs du Provence, black berries and a dash of balsamic. Flavors of black berries, black currants, black cherries and a bit of plum. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink over the short term, perhaps the medium term? (90 pts.)

  • 1995 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
    WIML94+?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of brown sugar, mixed florals, berries, saddlesoap and licorice. Good, solid flavors of berries, plums and reaspberries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Right around the 2 hour mark the nose on this wine was absolutely stunning coming in at least at a WIML95+. Palate is just a hair behind right now so overall lets call it a WIML94+. (94 pts.)

  • 1995 Château Troplong Mondot - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
    WIML91?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Double decanted and corked reinserted about 9 hours before serving. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of soapstone, potpourri, berries and plums. Quite nice. Flavors of berries, plums and cherries. Somewhat elegant and soft of the palate. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now with some air time or continue to hold. (91 pts.)

  • 1996 Château Léoville Barton - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
    WIMLNR

Almost tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

This wine was horribly corked. Surprised somebody didn’t pick up on it when decanting the wine.

On a side note: about an hour to two hours later somebody handed me a glass of wine double blind. I smelled it a couple of times but didn’t taste it. I pronounced it the corked 1996 Leoville Barton that somebody has soaked in a plastic baggie to remove the TCA component. Sure enough, it was. Nice try guys. :wink: NR (flawed)

  • 1998 Château Montrose - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
    WIML92+?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Double decanted and cork reinserted 9 hours before serving. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of saddlesoap, potpourri and cedar. Flavors of berries and black cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with air or continue to hold. (92 pts.)

  • 2005 Robert Foley Claret - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
    WIML90-91?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of blueberries, berries, dark chocolate and a dash of smoke. Flavors of blueberries, berries and plums. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with some air time or continue to hold. (90 pts.)

  • 2005 Huët Vouvray Demi-Sec Clos du Bourg - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
    WIMLNR

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of sulphur, light apricot notes, papaya and a dash of orange. Light flavors of apricot, orange and a bit of peach. Mediium to bright acidity, medium body. Seems a bit closed at the moment so no rating at this time. Continue to hold.

  • 2001 Turley Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
    WIML89-90?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of roasted meat, cassis and some notes of leather. Comes across as a little hot on the nose. Flavors of berries, cassis and cherries. Light to medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with some air time or continue to hold and hope. (89 pts.)

  • 2001 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
    WIML93?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of apricots, almonds, a bit of melon and a bit of honeysuckle. Flavors of honey, almonds and a bit of apricot. Think and unctuous on the palate without being cloying. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold over the long term. (93 pts.)

  • 1998 Penfolds Grange - Australia, South Australia
    WIMLNR

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose was heavily dominated by the aroma of Kirsch with some floral aspects and a bit of saddle soap. Flavors of berries, cherries and currants. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Continue to hold. No rating at this time; nowhere near ready.

  • 2003 E. Guigal Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
    WIML88+?

Tasted October 17, 2009 at an offline.

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of bacon, blueberry and a bit of chocolate. Flavors of berries and cherries. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink over the short to medium term. (88 pts.)