WINES OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND - (9/5/2015-9/8/2015)
Drank a bunch of good wines this weekend. My notes on our Saturday afternoon Rhone tasting are posted separately.
At the Trout Club
Dinner with a few friends. The first wines were outside along the river with cigars.
The last two were with dinner.
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2010 Domaine du Pégaü Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/5/2015)
This will still improve by a few points I think. Purple in color. The nose is pretty classic if concentrated and tight. Boysenberries, garrique, violets and spice. Great texture. On the palate, this is delicious. Very tightly packed. With coaxing, it unwinds a bit in the glass. Black raspberries, slight earthiness. This is clean (often an issue with Pegau). Worked well with some rich soft French cheese. (94 pts.) -
2003 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/5/2015)
This has certainly improved with some age. I am surprised. It is not about roasted fruits, but I suspect the vines simply shut down in 03 heat. What is left is a beautiful and elegant CdP. I double checked to make sure I brought the right vintage. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has raspberries and cherries and spice. On the palate, medium bodied with nice red fruit. A softness that is enticing. A nice layering of complexity. Really in a great spot right now. (93 pts.) -
2006 Firriato Sicilia Santagostino Rosso Baglio Soria - Italy, Sicily, Sicilia (9/5/2015)
Interesting bottle of wine. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has dark cherries and coffee and some vanilla. Medium bodied. A bit flabby. Nice dark cherry fruit on the palate. Not sure where this goes from here. It is good, if not great. (88 pts.) -
2012 Thorn-Clarke Shiraz Shotfire (Ridge) - Australia, South Australia, Barossa (9/5/2015)
This is really nice and at under $20, there is a lot of value here. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and cedar. Juicy texture. ice black raspberry fruit with firm tannins on the palate. Nice finish. The bottle had been open a while and I found this less jammy than a freshly opened bottle a few weeks ago. (91 pts.) -
2006 Gianni Gagliardo Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (9/5/2015)
A producer I don’t think I have had before. Ruby in color, this was opened and allowed to breather for 2.5 hours before pouring. The nose is very feminine with cherries, and bit of dried flowers and slight tar. Soft and accessible at this point. It is a very pretty wine with a nice complexity. Worked great with food. Excellent showing. (92 pts.) -
2000 Château Brane-Cantenac - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (9/5/2015)
Decanted for sediment and served. Finally, a nice bottle of B2K, bought on release and cellared and this was mature. In fact, I would say at peak, so if you have any, while no hurry, pop a cork. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is great with cherries, cassis, tobacco and ever so slight duty spice box. On the palate, medium to full bodied. Soft texture. Layers of cassis, cherries, damp earthiness and a bit of forest floor. Nice finish. great with food. (93 pts.)
At Blossom Music Center
Watching the Cleveland Orchestra outside at Blossom, a hillside amphitheater just outside Cleveland on a hot but beautiful evening.
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2012 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/7/2015)
Great showing. This was cold and served outside on a hot steamy night. Golden/yellow in color. The nose has grapefruits, lemons and vanilla. Very nice. The palate is crisp but round. Nice lemon cream flavors. Good minerality. As we cooled off, this gained in complexity. Bottle was drained quickly. Delicious now but will age just fine. (93 pts.) -
2009 Lewinsohn Garage de Papa Rouge - Israel, Galilee (9/7/2015)
Brought this back from Israel a few years ago. Never had it before. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is great with black raspberries, charred meat, and black pepper. On the palate, this shows a nice complexity but still young. Drinks more Rhoneish than new world. Ripe enough but not super ripe. Excellent, world class Syrah. (92 pts.) -
2013 Carlisle Grüner Veltliner Steiner Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain (9/7/2015)
Went back to this wine after some reds as our guests wanted a white. It took a few sips to re-calibrate and then this was excellent. Gold/green in color. The nose is very minerally. Some limes. Lovely medium bodied but velvety slick texture. Good acidity and good lemon/lime fruit on the palate. Very refreshing. This was a hit with our friends. (91 pts.) -
2000 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (9/7/2015)
Pop and pour, this could use some air. Still, from a 375 on a hot summer evening, while watching fireworks, this was really nice. The nose is raspberries with a bit of raisin and slight chocolate. The palate is slightly sweet, ho heat and in balance. Nice finish. Perfect for the occasion. (91 pts.)
At home
Watching OSU vs. Va Tech football.
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2009 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/8/2015)
Really a fun drink right now. Still young but accessible and delicious. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is all about sour cherries. On the palate, great texture. Lots of sour cherries. Depth. Light tannins. Long finish. Enjoyable wine for sure. (91 pts.)
A good weekend.
Posted from CellarTracker