WINE, BROWNS AND MY 55TH BIRTHDAY - My Home (9/23/2013)
This past weekend I turned 55. Saturday was the actual day and my wife Jane and I, had some wine before going out to watch our son’s high school football team. Then we went out to a local Italian place for dinner. On Sunday we had about 30 friends over to drink some wine and watch the Browns game. Surprisingly, the Browns won and as a bonus, so did the Indians as they push for the playoffs. It was a crisp autumn afternoon as the trees were turning colors, we had a fire going out side and plenty of friends and warmth inside. A ton of different food was brought by everyone as well. The wines were consumed non blind, very casually over about 8 hours. As people came and went, more bottles got opened, so I kept going back from white to red to dessert wines. This is pretty much the order initially tasted.
The last time I threw a party like this was for my 50th when we had 55 bottles. Only around 45 this time, so perhaps we are getting older (or wiser). 
Dinner at Valenti’s with Jane
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2007 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Seems to be in an awkward phase at the moment. Still outstanding, but was better on Day 2 IMO. Purple in color. Lots of black raspberry fruit, minerals, smoked bacon, black pepper. Smooth and no trace of alcohol on the palate. Tons of fruit but a bit disjointed on opening. Came together over night and was delicious. (96 pts.) -
1958 Antonio Vallana e Figlio Spanna Enoteca - Italy, Piedmont
Decanted for sediment and served. Light ruby in color. Gorgeous nose of cherries, dried cherries, roses and some tar. Complex and layered but very much alive and drinking like a 20+ year old Barolo. Cherries and forest floor notes. Nice balance. Long finish. Just a delicious older wine. It got better for about the first hour and held until the bottle was drained. (93 pts.) -
2007 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
This was on the menu for $33! I couldn’t resist. Allowed to breathe for about a half hour. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has cherries, spice, vanilla and violets. Medium to full bodied. Great cherry and raspberry fruit. Not super complex but some layering in the glass. Easy to drink and went well with food. Not a huge CdP even from 07, but very tasty and a great price. (91 pts.)
Party with Friends
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2007 Markko Johannisberg Riesling Library Reserve - USA, Ohio, Lake Erie
I assume this is the same as the regular batch, but this did not seem quite as fresh. Still quite good, and maybe it is just in a different place. Light gold in color. The nose is clean with very nice with minerals, slight citrus. On the palate, it is very tart. Long finish. Starting to develop a complexity. Still a Riesling that can compete on the world stage (07 was a great vintage) at $30. (89 pts.) -
2002 Erich Salomon/Undhof Riesling Pfaffenberg - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal
Bought on closeout many years ago for $12. This is in a really nice place right now. Golden in color. The nose has slight petrol notes with minerals. On the palate, lots of grapefruit qualities. Great balance. Long finish. Still a long life ahead. (91 pts.) -
2009 Luneau-Papin / Domaine Pierre de la Grange Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Vieilles Vignes Sur Lie Clos des Allées - France, Loire Valley, Pays Nantais, Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine
One of my favorite Muscadets. Light silvery gold in color. The nose has that sea air/minerals quality and maybe some crushed shells. The palate matches. Very soft and smooth and drinking quite easily. Delicious wine for sitting out side on a sunny crisp fall afternoon. (92 pts.) -
2011 Barkan Sauvignon Blanc Classic - Israel, Galilee, Upper Galilee
Silvery gold in color. The nose is grassy with some tropical fruit. Nice on the palate, although the nose is better. Clipped midpalate and finished. A fine enough wine but more generic than interesting. (83 pts.) -
2009 Sineann Gewürztraminer Resonance Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Lovely nose of lychees and tropical fruit. On the palate, it is very nice but finished with a classic Gewurtz bitterness than I am not fond of. Other than that, a very pretty wine. (88 pts.) -
2010 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Rubentis - Spain, País Vasco, Getariako Txakolina
This is in a nice place. It has lost most of its spritz though. Deep salmon in color. Cherries and strawberries on the nose. Delicious wine. Nice balanced. Light on its feet. (91 pts.) -
2009 Rhys Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County
Beth brought this and was thinking that her bottles of this had been off. For some reason, I don’t seem to own any of this (all the other vintages though). Not sure why. Anyway, I thought it was a very nice wine. I found no flaws in it. The nose is earthy, not huge with nice cherries and some macerated cherries. On the palate, it is young and tight but has a nice earthiness. Good cherry fruit. Beth drink a lot of Rhys, but seemed to feel this was a bit more earthy and funky than most. As it was my first time with this vintage, I am curious, but as I say, I thought it was outstanding. (91 pts.) -
2006 Clos Saron La Cuvée Mysterieuse - USA, California, Sierra Foothills
Not sure what grapes are in this. from Mag brought by Andrew H. My first time trying one of these wines. The nose is earthy with some dark cherries. This is lean but firm. Tart cherries. Long finish. Interesting wine. Good acidity. (89 pts.) -
2005 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
I really liked this wine. In a great place right now. Classic Napa Cab. The nose is dusty with cassis, some oak. Soft yet full bodied. Layers of fruit unwind in the glass. Nice finish. Elegant yet some power too. (94 pts.) -
2005 Lail Vineyards J. Daniel Cuvée - USA, California, Napa Valley
Not as good as the Bressler, but still outstanding. Purple in color. The nose is dusty and this is tight. Dark purple fruit, slightly bitter on the finish. Perhaps this still needs time or air to open. It is very good, but not as opulent as I might have expected. (91 pts.) -
2008 Tolo Cellars Asini - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Another new winery for me (Paso Robles). purple in color. Dusty on the palate. Some dark cherries and bramble (Zin?) Nice wine. Good berry fruit. Some heat on the finish. (88 pts.) -
2000 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
From Magnum. I had one of the first pours and I quite enjoyed it. Nice cherry fruit. Slight funk on the nose. Turned slightly bitter on the finish. Returning to it an hour later, this is clearly corked. Not sure why it took so long to show other than the format. It is not slightly corked, but pretty noticeable. A shame as this was a very pretty wine. NR (flawed) -
2006 Keplinger Red Slope - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
Tom thought this was OTH on opening, but I think it just needed air. By the time I got to it, it was outstanding. Lots of strawberries and cherries on the nose. Firm tannins. The palate matched with a nice underlying mineral/earth base. Long finish. I tried it again at the end of the night and it was just as good. (93 pts.) -
1998 Domaine Mathieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Marquis Anselme Mathieu - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Very pretty wine. First time trying this producer. The nose is very perfumed with floral notes, cherries and some spice box. Complex and layered on the palate, seems to be at peak. Some tannins come out with air, especially on the finish. (92 pts.) -
2005 Domaine de Pallus Chinon Les Pensées de Pallus - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon
Lovely wine in a very nice place right now. The nose has dark cherries, green tobacco and bell pepper. Great texture, lush, supple yet lean. On the palate, the fruit is still dominant but it unwinds in the glass showing a nice complexity. A glass late in the evening was much more complex. Nice finish. (91 pts.) -
1996 L’Echarderie Quarts de Chaume Clos Paradis - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume
Deep golden in color with some orange. The nose has apricots and honey. Viscous and slightly sweet. I imagine this was sweeter in its youth. A nice complexity here. Long finish. (92 pts.) -
2010 Paul Lato Syrah Cinematique Larner Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
Wow. Impressive wine. This is big and bold Syrah. The nose has black raspberries, blue berries, black pepper and some bacon fat. Lush, juicy supple and delicious. Packed with Black raspberries, blue berries and acidity. Long finish. Impressive. (96 pts.) -
1997 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Very nice and in a good place right now. Maybe just starting to get long in the tooth. Cherries, dried cherries and some herbal notes. Nice acidity. Complex and layered. Nice finish. (90 pts.) -
2007 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Abbey-Harris Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Ruby/purple in color. The nose is clay, earth and macerated cherries. More fruit than I was expecting. Nice cherry fruit on the palate. Juicy texture. Nice finish. In a great place right now and just starting to show some complexities. (92 pts.) -
2004 Glaetzer Shiraz The Bishop - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
This is pretty much textbook (in a good way) Australian shiraz. Big pepper with black raspberry fruit on the nose and the palate. Juicy. Hedonistic. Lots of wine packed in here. Fun and delicious. (91 pts.) -
2011 SonkinCellars Persona White Hawk - USA, California
A bit leaner than the 10 and yet in need of some air. Drank better later in the evening IMO. The Petite adds a nice under current. Seemed well received. -
2006 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What can I say. One of my favorite CdP houses. A nose of spice, cherries, dark cherries and floral notes. Complex yet still young. Elegant and very pretty. Lovely. (94 pts.) -
2009 Château Croix Mouton (Jean-Philippe Janoueix) - France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur
From Magnum. Drinking well now and great for a party. This is an affordable Bordeaux. Lots of cherries, cassis and some oak (vanilla). Smooth and easy to drink. Some layering. Not a long term ager but a very respectable wine and great QPR. (89 pts.) -
2008 Tenuta Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera - Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore
Very nice showing. Cassis and cherries with some menthol on the nose. Soft and accessible but some backbone of tannins. Should improve with a bit of age. Cassis fruit on the palate with layers. Nice finish. I assume this is Cab? (91 pts.) -
2002 Rosenblum Cellars Petite Sirah Pickett Road Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
I have had this wine a few time over the years and it is finally starting to come into its own. PS can take its time. Black raspberries, dusty and some leather on the nose. Still solid black raspberry fruit on the palate. Just starting to unwind. Complex with a great lush texture. Tasty. (92 pts.) -
1998 Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Centenaire - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Outstanding wine. The nose is spice, dust, dark cherries and slight violets. Still young fruit and firm tannins. This is probably not at peak yet. Lots of tight layers. Smooth. Long finish. Excellent. (94 pts.) -
2006 Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Black raspberries, blue berries and vanilla on the nose. A slight bit of bell pepper which I liked. Tannic. Still needs some time or air. This is a big wine. Lots of fruit on the palate. Long finish. (92 pts.) -
2007 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat - USA, California, Napa Valley
I opened this known Charlie would be there, but it was my first time trying one of Merrill’s wines. I liked it and think it is very competitive with other more well know Napa Cabs in its price range (and higher). The nose has cassis, spice and a bit of burnt earth. Soft and smooth, with air some tannins come out. Nice drinkable texture with cassis and some complexity. Still drinking young. Nice balance and finish. Very nice wine. (92 pts.) -
2006 Rudius Syrah Spirit Rock Alder Springs - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Purple in color. A nose of black raspberries with black pepper. Plenty of fruit on the nose. The palate is a bit leaner but still good fruit. Boysenberries with some pepper. Mature and in a good place it would seem. Very nice wine. (91 pts.) -
2008 Sineann Pinot Noir Schindler - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Seems a bit shut down at the moment. Nice black cherry fruit on the nose and palate. With air, it showed more depth. I would hold this for now. It took a long time to really show its stuff. (92 pts.) -
2011 Montalbera Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato Laccento - Italy, Piedmont, Monferrato, Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato
Not sure what this is, but apparently Ruche is the grape? The nose has a nice floral note but it is also candied cherries. A bit cloying on the palate. Not sure if it is RS or just the style/grape. It is ok and certainly drinkable, but not really a style that I liked. It was cool to try a wine and region (of piedmont) that I don’t believe I have tried before though. (85 pts.) -
2002 Thorn-Clarke Barossa Cuvée Shotfire (Ridge) - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Steve brought this as back in the day, it was one of the first wines we drank together. This was a great QPR back then. And you know what? It is still drinking quite well. The nose has bacon fat, black raspberries and black pepper. Vibrant fruit, the wine may have mellowed, but certainly still holding strong. Great black raspberry fruit. Nice finish. Well done. (92 pts.) -
2008 Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon The Arsenal Greer Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
I brought this out to celebrate the Brown victory over Minnesota and the Indians victory of Houston! It was gone quite quickly. Still quite young and tannic, but great cassis fruit. Depth and tightly layered. Delicious wine that need 5 to 7 years IMO to hit peak (or close to it). (94 pts.) -
2002 Rheingrafenberg Meddersheimer Altenberg Riesling Auslese - Germany, Nahe
A really lovely nose. Minerals, wet stones, some grapefruits. A bit flabby on the palate, especially considering the vintage, but still delicious. Showing slight age, but plenty of life left in it. I don’t think I have had this producer before. Blue bottle. (88 pts.) -
2010 Navarro Vineyards Gewürztraminer Estate Bottled Dry - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Lovely wine. Gorgeous nose of lychees and minerals and floral notes. Smooth on the palate. No bitterness. Smooth. (90 pts.) -
2010 White Oak Vineyards & Winery Chardonnay - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Nice enough. Pretty classic Cal Chard. Seems to have a good amount of baked apple pie going on. Not super oaked. Drinkable but not a style I prefer. Others may like it more. (85 pts.) -
2008 Jaffurs Grenache Blanc Botrytis - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
From a 375. Nice wine. Not sweet but it is viscous. Peachy on the nose. Palate is more canned peaches. Interesting. The botrytis comes across in texture but really on the flavor. (89 pts.) -
1962 Riccarolo Ceretto Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Decanted for sediment and served. Very, very pale red brown in color. The nose has slight dried cherries, and dried rose petals. On the palate, there is still some cherry fruit. Certainly past prime but there is still life here. Extra points for being over 50 years old! (87 pts.) -
1991 Château d’Yquem - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
From a 375. Not a great vintage for d’Yquem but still an outstanding wine. The nose has apricots, canned peaches and honey. Complex and layered with a very long finish. I would have liked a bit more fruit and depth, but this was fun and of course, always nice to see the crowd reaction. (91 pts.) -
1958 Barbeito Madeira Reserva Velha Malvasia - Portugal, Madeira
Golden/orange in color. The nose is exquisite. I could smell it all night. Coffee, oranges, maple, milk chocolate and orange candies. Complex and layered. Not really sweet, just a perception. Long finish. Flavors of candied orange rind and chocolate. Got better with more air as the night went on. Beautiful wine. (97 pts.) -
2002 Royal DeMaria Riesling Icewine - Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
Nice wine, but I had hoped for more. light yellow gold in color. The nose has some lemon/citrus. On the palate, this is sweet, not cloying, but I would still prefer more acidity. (90 pts.) -
2001 Château Clos St. Martin - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
This had been opened the day before and was from a 375 poured off and stored overnight. Purple in color. The nose is nice with dark cherries. Ripe fruit on the palate, but with a bitterness I find in many 01’s (I know I am in the minority). Still, I like the wine and it is in a very nice place right now. (90 pts.) -
NV Bodega Dominio Buenavista / Veleta Viognier Vino de Mesa de Andalucía Sweet Melodies - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Mesa de Andalucía
This is interesting. Not really sweet although it is marked dulce. Drinks like a slightly viscous white. Some people really enjoyed this that way. Some interesting white pear notes. 500ml. (85 pts.) -
1988 Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Sadly corked. NR (flawed)
Thanks to everyone for coming on Sunday and stepping up with so many wines I had never had before. And thanks to the Browns and Indians for putting everyone in a good mood (or was that the wine). I have to say, I certainly feel like a lucky man to have such great family and friends to share my birthday with.
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