TRIP’S VISIT TO DC - Marks duckhouse, Falls Church, Va (4/20/2012)
Trip was in town and eleven of us got together at Marks duckhouse to dine on copious amount of mostly fried food. Everyone generously contributed a lot of wines. It was one of those nights where we were lucky to have no corked bottles yet none really showed exceptional for me. Nevertheless I had a blast hanging out with Trip and the other usual suspects.
Whites
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2009 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc Reserve To-Kalon Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
This is very clean, crisp and cool. No sign of oak. Grassy, kiwi, sea breeze and nice mineral expression. Everything is in nice balance and the fruit expression is fresh but not too complex. (90 pts.) -
2005 Weingut von Othegraven Kanzemer Altenberg Riesling Auslese Alte Reben - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Ripe yellow fruits, honey, spicy, apple and lemon curd. Fat, unctuous and bright with nice acidity and minerality Very tasty and goes well with fried seafood medley. (92 pts.) -
2005 Domaine Vincent Girardin Corton-Charlemagne - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Initially the nose is shy, some limestone and spices but very little fruits. Tight palate as well but excellent concentration and precision. Cool, steely wine. With an hour of air, showing some lemon oil. Not an expressive bottle. (91 pts.) -
2007 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Lime, pear, white peach and a hint of seashell. Slightly fizzy palate and seems a bit simple. Nevertheless delicious. (90 pts.)
Reds
There was a wine with the name Unico, not from Vega Sicilia, which I forgot to jot down the detail but was quite nice.
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2007 Melville Pinot Noir High Density - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills
The wine was served slightly too warm which is detrimental for a high alcohol Pinot. Very ripe, browning, a hint of cherry fruits, strawberry jam, mint and allspice coming from the high alcohol. It was served later at much cooler temperature which helped little by showing more fruits while suppressing the alcohol a bit. You may like the wine a bit more if you enjoy the riper style domestic pinots. (87 pts.) -
1998 Aldo e Riccardo Seghesio Barolo Vigneto la Villa - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Perhaps this would have done a lot better as a dinner wine with simply grilled meat or pasta. The nose is shy, sappy, raisin, leather and dry cherry. The palate is lean with a slightly bitter end. With time, a hint of rose and tar. This bottle displays mostly tertiary notes and the fruit is shy. (90 pts.) -
2000 Luigi Pira Barolo Margheria - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Sweeter, rounder and more generous fruits showing than the 98 Seghesio. Licorice, raising, dark fruits and spices. Round palate but noticeable tannins. Drinking beautifully. (92 pts.) -
2003 Domaine des Monts Luisants Morey St. Denis Pierre Virant - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis
The vineyard that I know well but the domaine that is new to me. This unfortunately demonstrates the major flaws of the 03 vintage. Overripe, VA, clumsy, disjointed and tired. Strawberry jam. Reminds me a poorly made cotes du rhone. (70 pts.) -
2008 Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Blueberry jam, blackberry liquor, very sweet nose, oak, vanilla, lactic and clove. Unctuous palate, chewy and nicely integrated tannins but the end note is slightly bitter. This is a well made high octane California syrah. (92 pts.) -
2003 Colgin Cariad - USA, California, Napa Valley
I find it interesting that this bottle has a hint of green note that I get from the 03 Bordeaux. Cedar, dark fruits and spices. The palate is polished but the middle is hollowed, noticeable tannins. The alcohol is noticeable as the end note. It is still an enjoyable wine but extremely poor QPR. BTW, I like Colgin in general. (92 pts.) -
2009 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
This bottle displays the typical ripe Maybach fruits. Ripe blue fruits, blackberry liquor, vanilla milkshake and bitter chocolate. The palate is dusty and chewy yet the middle note is hollow. The ripe sweet fruits stick out and the overall impression is disjointed. I asked a few participants for their rating and I got, 85, 87, 92, 94 and 96 and most of them are cali lover with very good palates. I find the need to point out that stylistically this is very different than Schraders, Harlan, Araujo and others. (93 pts.) -
2006 Enrico Fossi Syrah Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
A hint of VA, tobacco, blueberry jelly, chocolate dipped cherry and earth. Very warm and soft fruit expression. Excellent concentration and bright acidity. For those who drink the Italian syrahs, this is a typical showing. (92 pts.) -
2004 Robert Foley Petite Sirah - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Based on my past experiences, Petit Sirah may be the slowest aging Californian grape, the 70s freemark abbey petite sirahs are still inky black and mostly primary. This bottle is no exceptiona, crushed blueberries, vanilla milkshake and a hint of cedar. The palate displays excellent concentration, sweet fruits and bright acidity. Very well made high octane wine. (92 pts.) -
2005 Poonawatta Estate Shiraz The Four Corners of Eden Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
A pleasant surprise. Very cool fruit impression, white pepper, rushed blueberries, herb de provence and a hint of marijuana. The palate displays cool syrah fruits and is silky. This closely resembles a northern rhone, cool and suave. (92 pts.)
Aussie Port
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2000 d’Arenberg Shiraz Vintage Declared Shiraz Port - Australia, McLaren Vale / Hunter Valley
Closer to Banyuls than Port. Still primary, grapy, chocolate, black cherries, raisin and caramel. Very soft, round sweet mouthfeel. Straightforward fruit expression but very enjoyable. (92 pts.)
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