Last night Traci, Christianne, Al and I went to Barlata in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood. Terrific tapas were consumed with a couple of very nice wines. And I think we’d all go back for a fun casual $30 pp or so dinner. Corkage was $15 per bottle and not waived for wine purchased off the list.
First we did order a 2008 Spanish white whose name I did not record…it was tasty and refreshing. A little bit of a minerally/spritzy quality, loads of white peach and a little white flower. Fun wine…we then cracked a couple of red wines.
Initially a pretty reticent nose/palate but with a little swirling and about 15-20 minutes of air it started to open up nicely. Pretty wine, well balanced with red slightly kirschy fruit, a little vanilla and white pepper and a bit of earth and minerals. Medium bodied, fairly silky texture, no hint of brett with a medium length finish. The fruit came out after about 30 minutes or so and began to sweeten up in the midpalate. I don’t see any reason not to check in on these if you have them. Very nice. 91-93/100 (91 pts.)
2004 Copain Syrah Hawks Butte Vineyard- USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands
This also accompanied tapas and was a nice contrast to the Vieux Telegraphe. Really drinking well right now and does remind one of a northern Rhone wine. Dark fruit, iodine and grilled meat on the nose. The palate shows dark olive, dark fruit (with a little bit of that CA sweetness - not RS sweetness though), black pepper with a little bit of smokiness. A complete wine with good palate weight from front to back and a nice medium long finish. Great effort from Wells. 92-93/100 (92 pts.)
Thanks for the note, Tony. I took my last 2003 Copain Hawkes Butte syrah to a small group dinner on Saturday. The wine was decanted about 5 hours beforehand and then back into the bottle. Your note on the 2004 is spot on for this bottle of the 2003 - at the end of the evening there were several comments about the northern rhone-ness of the wine but with a dash of California sweetness. I haven’t tried the 2004 yet but may have to open one over the winter months based upon your note. Based upon the few bottles I have had I really like what Wells does with the fruit from this vineyard.
Tony, thanks for the nice notes. It’s good to hear that the 2001 VT is coming into maturity. My rule #1 is to wait 10 years before opening a VT. Luckily rule #2 is break rule #1 if I feel like it!
Two nice wines, thanks for the report. Last Hawk’s Butte I had was an 03, last year some time, and it was way not ready, everything just lurking in reserve. I resolved not to touch any for a year or two at least
TV, thanks for the TNs. I just drank (and replaced via Winebid of which there are a few bottles still left–crazy) the 2006, which was excellent. This is really a great bottling from Wells, and the 2003 moreso is pure class. I don’t think I would agree with Alan completely on the 2003 not being ready, as the 2 bottles of the 2003 I have had in the past year or so have been terrific. I have not drank a 2004 in a couple years, have 2 left, so I will hold one for an event and maybe pour it blind.
Nice dinner. The white was a verdejo from Rueda, also don’t recall the producer but it went well with the first few dishes. I haven’t tried a 2003 for about 18 months, so it’s hard to compare, but the 2004 Copain Hawk’s Butte was pretty open for business from the start last night. As Tony mentioned, very N. Rhone-ish with a core of California fruit. Very tasty. I thought the 2001 VT was a bit more open than a 2000 I tasted a couple weeks ago. It’s still developing the secondary characteristics VT acquires with age, but was showing some nice spicy fruit with some earthiness that probably held up better to the spicy food than a more mature vintage would.
For folks in the area, Barlata is definitely worth a visit.
Thanks for the update on the VT. I cracked one last new years and it sounds about the same as your note. Think i will continue to wait on my remaining bottles.
