TN: Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting

[Richard_Jennings]

WINE & SPIRITS TOP 100 TASTING - Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center, SF, CA (10/14/2009)

A terrific, well organized event, featuring many excellent producers, each pouring about two of their wines, along with food offerings from 14 different San Francisco restaurants and food purveyors. The only thing they couldn’t control for on this night was the massive traffic backup on the westbound Bay Bridge after a truck tipped over (an accident that delayed thousands that evening, including several who were bringing wines and/or pouring them at this event, who showed up two to three hours after the trade tasting portion started at 4:30 pm), and the highish heat and humidity for San Francisco on an October evening.

In the 4 hours tasting time we had I managed to make it to 63 of the 99 producers represented, and to taste 118 of the 180+ wines on hand. I tried to sample producers I wasn’t familiar with, which required me to bypass some that I’ve tasted through fairly recently (e.g., Calera and Vietti), as well as some that are close by that I get other opportunities to taste (e.g., Ridge, Beringer). I didn’t make it to any of the Sherries or Ports–I’d hope to end with some, but ran out of time, and I’m also going to a big Port tasting next weekend, so hope to catch many of the same producers there. The producers on hand that I didn’t get to, who make up the rest of the W&S Top 100 for 2009, are Aveleda, Beringer, Brokenwood, Calera, Cantina Terlano, Casa Marin, Concha y Toro, Craggy Range, d"Arenberg, Dashe, Delas Freres, DeLoach, Equipo Navazos, Evening Land, Felton Road, Flowers, Fonseca, Il Molino di Grace, Iron Horse, Leeuwin Estate, Lustau, Maycas del Limari, Mazzei, Niepoort, Penfolds, Qupe, Raptor Ridge, Ravenswood, Andrew Rich, Ridge, Schiopetto, Storybook Mountain, Bodegas Tradicion, Vietti, C. von Schubert and Yalumba.

There were many good things poured on this evening, as one might expect from producers being honored as among the tops in their field. I was delighted to find a few of my favorite Greek wine producers among W&S’s top 100–Boutari, Gaia and Skouras. The tasting was organized into several categories, namely Sparkling, Crisp, Floral Whites, Rich Whites, Sherry, Pinot Noir, Austrian, Italian, Iberian, Rhone Family, Cabernet Family, Zinfandel and Port. My very top wines for the evening, that I rated 94 points or higher, were the '07 Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne, '05 Henschke Euphonium Keyneton, Krug Grande Cuvee, '07 Dr. Loosen Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, and '06 Peay Syrah La Bruma.

Of the food offerings, my favorite were the Hog Island Oysters (conveniently located in the midst of the Champagne representatives) and the positively addictive Heaven’s Dog braised pork belly sandwiches in clamshell buns (well located by the Riesling producers).

I can see why friends have been telling me this is their favorite tasting event of the year. I look forward to attending next year, and highly recommend it others.
Achaval-Ferrer

• 2007 Achaval-Ferrer Quimera - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
  Black fruit, herbal, lavender nose; tart black fruit, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (38% old vine Malbec, 24% Merlot, 24% old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc) (91 pts.)
• 2006 Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Finca Mirador - Argentina, Mendoza
  Deep floral, black fruit, herbal nose; tasty black fruit, herbal, sage palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (vineyard planted in 1921) (92 pts.)

Adriano Adami

• 2008 Adriano Adami Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Dry Vigneto Giardino - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
  Herbal, mineral, green fruit nose; tart green fruit, apple palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)

Anthill Farms

• 2007 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley
  Tart red fruit, oak nose; silky, tart red fruit, concentrated palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2007 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Comptche Ridge Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
  Deep tart cherry nose; concentrated, tart cherry, tart raspberry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Beaulieu Vineyard

• 2005 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Big black fruit, menthol nose; tart berry, menthol palate; medium finish 89+ pts. (89 pts.)
• 2005 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Berry, menthol nose; tart berry, menthol, plum, chocolate palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot) (91 pts.)

Bouchard

• 2007 Bouchard Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos St. Landry - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru
  Floral, citrus, lime nose; creamy citrus, mineral palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2007 Bouchard Père et Fils Vosne-Romanée - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée
  Nice roses nose; tart red fruit, roses, rosehips, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

Boutari

• 2008 Boutari Santorini - Greece, Aegean, Santorini
  Nice lime, herbal, peach nose; soft peach, mineral, green apple palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2006 Boutari Kallisti Reserve - Greece, Aegean, Santorini
  Lovely floral, baked apple, vanilla nose; tart green fruit, apple, oak spice palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)

Buil & Giné

• 2008 Buil & Giné Rueda Nosis - Spain, Castilla y León, Rueda
  Herbal, mineral, green fruit nose; herbal, mineral, green fruit, oily palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2005 Buil & Giné Montsant Baboix - Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Montsant
  Plush plum, berry, menthol nose; plum, berry, menthol palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)

Catena Zapata

• 2005 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Adrianna Vineyard - Argentina, Mendoza
  Ripe berry, plum, caramel nose; tasty, ripe berry, black fruit palate with depth; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)

Chateau Ste. Michelle

• 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling Eroica - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  Tart lime, clementine nose; tart lime, clementine, mineral palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Ethos - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  Plum, berry nose; tart plum, berry, cassis palate with sweet tannins; medium finish (91 pts.)

Elvio Cogno

• 2004 Azienda Agricola Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Lovely berry, dried plum nose; tart berry, tart plum palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2004 Azienda Agricola Elvio Cogno Barolo Vigna Elena - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Lovely dried berry, currant nose; tasty dried berry, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

Cos

• 2007 Azienda Agricola Cos Nero di Lupo Sicilia IGT - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT
  Nice black fruit, dried orange, dried berry nose; dried berry, dried orange palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2006 Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico - Italy, Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria
  Deep plum, dried black fruit nose; tart plum, dried berry, orange palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

C.V.N.E./Contino

• 2005 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Contino Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
  Plum, berry, black fruit, charcoal nose; tart berry, charcoal palate; medium finish (92 pts.)
• 2005 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Contino Variedad Graciano - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
  Deep berry, black fruit nose; tasty berry, herbal, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)

Marcel Deiss

• 2005 Marcel Deiss Riesling Engelgarten - France, Alsace, Bergheim, Alsace AOC
  Fragrant mineral, lime, green fruit nose; tart apricot, peach, mineral palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2005 Marcel Deiss Riesling Grasberg - France, Alsace, Bergheim, Alsace AOC
  Herbal, mint, wintergreen nose; ripe green fruit, cream, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)

Diamond Creek

• 2005 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
  Cassis, currant, menthol nose; tart currant, menthol palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2005 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
  Refined tart currant, cassis nose; tasty cassis, menthol palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Dönnhoff

• 2006 Dönnhoff Felsentürmchen Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
  Lovely mineral, tart grapefruit, petrol nose; tasty, ripe lime, green fruit, mineral palate; medium finish (92 pts.)
• 2006 Dönnhoff Schloßböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
  From magnum - mineral, wintergreen, green melon nose; tasty, ripe green melon, mineral palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Drew Family

• 2007 Drew Family Cellars Pinot Noir McDougal Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Tart berry nose; tart cherry, tart berry palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2007 Drew Family Cellars Pinot Noir Fog Eater - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
  Tart cherry, sour cream nose; tart red fruit, sour cream palate; medium finish (91 pts.)

Joseph Drouhin

• 2005 Joseph Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru
  Ripe citrus, lemon nose; lemon, oak palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2007 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
  Roses, sous bois, mineral nose; lovely tart strawberry, red fruit, mineral, rosehips palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Poderi Luigi Einaudi

• 2007 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Dolcetto di Dogliani Vigna Tecc - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dolcetto di Dogliani
  Tart black fruit, charcoal, graphite nose; complex black fruit, charcoal, graphite palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2004 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo Nei Cannubi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Tart berry, dried berry nose; tart berry, dried berry, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Faiveley

• 2007 Faiveley Meursault - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
  Cream, citrus nose; ripe citrus, tart lemon palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2007 Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
  Mineral, vanilla nose; lemon, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (94 pts.)
• 2007 Faiveley Mercurey La Framboisière - France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Mercurey
  Cherry, framboises, roses nose; tart cherry, mineral, roses palate; medium finish (93 pts.)
• 2007 Faiveley Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru
  Ripe red fruit, vanilla nose; baked cherry, tart cherry, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)

Frutos Villar

• 2005 Bodegas Frutos Villar Toro Muruve Reserva - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
  Herbal, black fruit nose; menthol, black fruit palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2005 Bodegas Frutos Villar Ribera del Duero Conde Siruela Crianza - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
  Expressive berry, blackberry, herbal nose; focused tart black fruit, plum, orange palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Gaia Estate

• 2008 Gaia Estate Assyrtiko Thalassitis - Greece, Aegean, Santorini
  Citrus, lime, peach nose; green apple, mineral, tart citrus palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2008 Gaia Estate Assyrtiko Wild Ferment - Greece, Aegean, Santorini
  Lovely floral, baked apple, vanilla nose; tart green fruit, apple, oak spice palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (7 mos. in 2 & 3 yr. old oak) (90 pts.)

Pierre Gimonnet

• N.V. Pierre Gimonnet Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru - France, Champagne
  Rich apple nose; tart apple, mineral palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2004 Pierre Gimonnet Champagne Brut Gastronome - France, Champagne
  Creamy apple, baked apple nose; bright apple, mineral, yeasty palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)

Schloss Gobelsburg

• N.V. Schloss Gobelsburg Brut Réserve - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal, Langenlois
  Mineral, tart citrus nose; tart citrus, mineral, dry palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2007 Schloss Gobelsburg Grüner Veltliner Steinsetz - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal, Langenlois
  Mineral, spicy, green apple nose; tart green fruit, mineral, tart citrus, dry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Gramona

• 2004 Gramona Cava Imperial Gran Reserva - Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  Lovely, focused, light apple, green fruit nose; deep, mineral, apple rind palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
• 2001 Gramona Cava III Lustros Gran Reserva - Spain, Catalunya, Cava
  Poised light apple nose; toasty citrus and tart apple palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)

E. Guigal

• 2007 E. Guigal Condrieu - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
  Orange blossom, floral nose; tight, tart pear, apple palate; short-medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2005 E. Guigal Hermitage Blanc - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
  Almond, lanolin, oak nose; oily textured, almond, lanolin, peach, mineral palate; medium finish (92 pts.)
• 2005 E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  Tart berry, plum nose; tart smoky berry, mineral, garrigue palate; medium finish (92 pts.)

Henschke

• 2005 Henschke Cyril Henschke - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
  Berry, menthol, black fruit nose; tasty black fruit, tart berry, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2005 Henschke Euphonium Keyneton Estate - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
  Deep berry, black fruit, charcoal, lavender nose; tasty ripe berry, black fruit, lavender palate; medium-plus finish 94+ pts. (94 pts.)

J. Hofstätter

• 2008 J. Hofstätter Gewürztraminer Kolbenhof - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
  Floral, gardenia, lychee nose; tasty, poised, gardenia, lychee, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2005 J. Hofstätter Pinot Nero Alto Adige - Südtirol “Barthenau” Vigna S Urbano - Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol
  Unusual mineral, tart cherry nose; tart red fruit, cherry, oak palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Louis Jadot

• 2006 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
  Big cherry, oak nose; tart red fruit, mineral, cherry palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2006 Louis Jadot Corton-Grèves - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru
  Deep cherry, oak, floral, berry nose; silky textured, tart red fruit palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)

Schloss Johannisberger

• 2008 Schloss Johannisberger Riesling QbA - Germany, Rheingau
  Minerally, lime nose; mineral, lime palate; medium finish (90 pts.)
• 2007 Schloss Johannisberger Grunlack Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Rheingau
  Mineral, herbal nose; tasty, mineral, green fruit, lime palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)

Kilikanoon

• 2007 Kilikanoon Riesling Mort’s Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Watervale
  Mineral, quince, lime nose; tart lime, grapefruit palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2005 Kilikanoon Shiraz Covenant - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
  Ripe black fruit, berry, clove nose; berry, deep plum palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)

King Estate

• 2007 King Estate Pinot Gris Domaine - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  Green apple nose; creamy, green apple, pear palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2008 King Estate Pinot Noir Signature Collection - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  Tart red fruit nose; tight, tart red fruit, cherry, mineral palate; medium finish (set for mid-Dec. 2009 release) (92 pts.)

Krug

• N.V. Krug Champagne Grande Cuvée Brut - France, Champagne
  Yeasty, light toast, mineral nose; elegant, tasty, mineral, yeasty, cream, tart citrus palate; medium-plus finish (94 pts.)

L’Ecole No. 41

• 2006 L’Ecole No. 41 Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  Berry, caramel, oak nose; berry, plum, spice palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2006 L’Ecole No. 41 Apogée Pepper Bridge Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  Cassis, menthol nose; tart cassis, menthol palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Lioco

• 2007 Lioco Pinot Noir Klindt Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
  Focused tart cherry nose; tart cherry, red fruit palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Dr. Loosen

• 2007 Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
  Wintergreen, green fruit nose; tasty, mineral, ripe lime palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2007 Dr. Loosen Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
  From 375 ml - ripe white peach, mineral nose; tasty, ripe peach, apricot, mineral palate with definition; long finish (96 pts.)

Marqués de Murrieta

• 2005 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
  Expressive black fruit, berry nose; tart berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2000 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
  Rich, deep, plum, fig nose; silky textured, tart plum, fig palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Louis M. Martini

• 2004 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County
  Ripe berry, plum nose; ripe berry, plum palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2005 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
  Tight black fruit nose; tight black fruit, berry palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)

Bernard Moreau

• 2006 Domaine Bernard Moreau & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
  Elegant lemon, lime, vanilla nose; tasty, ripe lemon, citrus, mineral palate; medium finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2006 Domaine Bernard Moreau & Fils Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Maltroie - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru
  Light creamy, lemon nose; creamy textured, ripe lemon, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 93+ pts. (93 pts.)

Pierre Morey

• 2007 Pierre Morey Meursault Les Tessons - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
  Pungent tart citrus, chalk nose; chalk, tart citrus, mineral palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2007 Pierre Morey Pommard 1er Cru Les Grands Épenots - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru
  Light tart cherry, vanilla nose; tart red fruit, mineral palate with good acidity; medium finish (91 pts.)

Moric

• 2007 Moric Blaufränkisch - Austria, Burgenland, Mittelburgenland
  Mineral, red currant nose; lovely tart, light footed, red currant, mineral palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Movia

• 2004 Movia Veliko Bianco (Belo) - Slovenia, Primorje, Goriška Brda
  Floral, jasmine, fruit cocktail nose; tart fruit cocktail, apple cider palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2007 Movia Lunar - Slovenia, Primorje, Goriška Brda
  Tart apple, nectarine, peach nose; deep, tart citrus, orange, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Nigl

• 2007 Nigl Riesling Kremser Kremsleiten - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal
  Green fruit, lime, white peach nose; tart green fruit, mineral palate; medium finish (91 pts.)
• 2003 Nigl Riesling Kremser Kremsleiten - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal
  Mineral, peach broth nose; tart lime, mineral, tart green melon palate; medium finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)

Quinta do Noval

• 2006 Quinta do Noval Douro Cedro do Noval - Portugal, Douro
  Tart berry nose; tight berry, black fruit palate; short-medium finish (87 pts.)

Michel & Stéphane Ogier

• 2006 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes Viognier de Rosine - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
  Kiwi, ripe green fruit nose; tight, tart cream, lime palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
• 2006 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes L’Âme Sœur Terres de Seyssuel - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
  Ripe berry, blueberry, oak nose; tart red fruit, tart plum, mineral, herbaceous palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)

Bruno Paillard

• N.V. Bruno Paillard Champagne Rosé Brut Première Cuvée - France, Champagne
  Light strawberry nose; tasty, tart, light strawberry, mineral palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)

Peay

• 2007 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Scallop Shelf - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Ripe cranberry, berry, currant nose; tasty, tart red fruit, sous bois, mineral palate, quite Burgundian; medium finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2006 Peay Vineyards Syrah La Bruma - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Lovely pepper, lavender, mineral nose; tasty pepper, mineral, tart red fruit palate; medium-plus finish (94 pts.)

Quinta do Portal

• 2006 Quinta do Portal Douro Grande Reserva - Portugal, Douro
  Black fruit, oak nose; lavender, tart berry palate; medium finish (88 pts.)

Joh. Jos. Prüm

• 2007 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
  Wintergreen, green fruit nose; tasty, mineral, ripe lime palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2004 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
  Tight mineral and lime nose; tart lime, clementine, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

Ramey

• 2006 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Annum - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Cassis, berry nose; berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)

Louis Roederer

• 2002 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut - France, Champagne
  Lovely creamy citrus, yeast nose; tart citrus, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Roederer Estate

• 2002 Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
  Delicate, light, creamy citrus nose; tasty, tart creamy citrus, mineral palate; medium finish 92 (I prefer it to the '02 Louis Roederer Brut Cristal, at least at this stage) (92 pts.)

Saviah

• 2005 Saviah Cellars Laurella - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  Nice, perky, currant, blackberry nose; tast currant, berry palate; medium-plus finish (53% Sangiovese, 37% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot) (92 pts.)
• 2006 Saviah Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
  Cassis, berry, menthol nose; chocolate, berry, plum palate; medium finish (91 pts.)

Shafer

• 2006 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
  Ripe cassis, currant nose; tasty, tart cassis, currant, eucalyptus palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. (92 pts.)
• 2006 Shafer Relentless - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Ripe berry, plum, cassis nose; cassis, berry, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

Sheldrake Point

• 2007 Sheldrake Point Riesling Dry - USA, New York, Finger Lakes
  Mineral, herbal nose; tart citrus, green fruit palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2007 Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine - USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake
  Grapey, apricot nose; tart apricot, lime palate with good acidity (possibly acidified?); medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Skouras

• 2006 Skouras Agiorgitiko Grande Cuvée - Greece, Peloponnisos, Nemea
  Nice black fruit, herbal, menthol nose; tart black fruit, herbaceous, menthol palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2006 Skouras Megas Oenos - Greece, Peloponnisos
  Good plum, berry nose; tasty, tart berry, black fruit, mineral, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

W.H. Smith

• 2007 W.H. Smith Pinot Noir Maritime - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Tart red fruit nose with green notes; tasty, tart red fruit, mineral palate with green notes; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)
• 2006 Piedra Hill Vineyard (W.H. Smith) Cabernet Sauvignon Purple Label - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
  Nice cassis, mint, berry nose; plush, soft berry, cassis, chocolate palate; medium finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Swanson

• 2007 Swanson Pinot Grigio - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Tart citrus, apple nose; tart peach, tart citrus palate with medium acidity; medium finish (89 pts.)
• 2005 Swanson Alexis Estate Red Wine - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
  Deep berry, blackberry nose; tart berry, menthol palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)

Tamarack

• 2007 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  Berry, black fruit, blackberry nose; ripe berry, baked plum palate; medium-plus finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
• 2005 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  Ripe black fruit, chocolate nose; ripe berry, black fruit, chocolate palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)

Vilmart

• 2000 Vilmart Champagne Coeur de Cuvée - France, Champagne
  Creamy, yeasty, baked lime nose; very tasty, tart lime, mineral, toast palate; medium-plus finish 93+ pts. (93 pts.)
• N.V. Vilmart Champagne Brut 1er Cru Cuvee Rubis - France, Champagne
  Tart red fruit, cherry, orange nose; tart cherry, red fruit, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

Von Strasser

• 2006 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Post Vineyard Diamond Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
  Light black fruit, graphite nose; tight tart black fruit, charcoal palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
• 2006 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyard Diamond Mountain - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
  Oak, black fruit, berry nose; big, tart black fruit, herbal palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)

Hermann J. Wiemer

• 2007 Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Dry - USA, New York, Finger Lakes
  Mineral, light lime nose; tart lime and citrus palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
• 2007 Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Dry Magdalena Vineyard - USA, New York, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake
  Mineral, lime, green fruit nose; tart lime, green apple palate; medium finish (89 pts.)

Andrew Will

• 2006 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
  Menthol, currant nose; menthol, raspberry, currant, mineral palate; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.)
• 2006 Andrew Will Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
  Menthol, berry nose; tart, complex, berry, menthol, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 91+ pts. (91 pts.)

Williams Selyem

• 2006 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Precious Mountain - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Ripe cherry, berry nose; ripe berry, cherry, vanilla palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
• 2007 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Westside Road Neighbors - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
  Cherry, brown sugar nose; big tart cherry, cranberry, brown sugar palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

[Sean_Devaney]

Great notes as always Richard. Interesting that you liked the Roederer L’Hermitage over the Cristal-don’t let the rappers know!

[Otto_Dobre]

A veritable tour de force, Richard.

[Leah_Amir]

Great notes on tasting so many wines in one day… Event looked like a lot of fun!