Not a bad way to get ready for a trip to wine country … a great day with good friends.
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1991 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/11/2010)
A superstar of a wine. Deep red color. Gorgeous, complex nose of black currant, graphite, earth, and cedar. The bouquet is phenomenal, just a wonder that kept unfolding layers of complexity. In the mouth, marvelous texture and purity. There is a kind of balance shown here that takes such great care to express in Cabernet. This wine doesn’t take the easy way out and just sock you in the face with its delicious fruit. It takes the risk of going for greatness, bringing forth layers of complexity – tobacco, graphite, and rich earth. Still youthful, as evidenced by the touch of tannic kick on the finish, but just positively delicious. A -
1994 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/11/2010)
The 1994 Cabernets have really impressed me, and this one does nothing to disappoint. Dark red color, betraying the youthfulness of this wine. Lovely, cool-fruited nose that has loads of pencil lead, minerals, and earthy complexity. In the mouth, the concentration, purity, and balance are notable. The fruit explodes, but it remains under control, allowing the magnificent depths of the wine to play out as it dances across your tongue. Strong acidity and a long, youthful finish that still shows some tannins that need to integrate. A -
2001 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (4/11/2010)
It’s interesting how youthful this wine is. Deep red color. Aromatic nose that is more typically Pinot than I expected, with ripe blackberry and black cherry, along with a deep, earthy note and some floral overtones. In the mouth, plush and mouth-coating, with terrific purity and power. Each component of the ripe fruit coasts across the palate. The earthiness comes to the forefront, but a slight lack of acidity makes you wish something came into play to give a refreshing kick. Gentle and caressing finish that reemphasizes the fruit. A-/A -
2002 Peter Michael Les Pavots - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (4/11/2010)
15.1% alcohol. Holy cow, this is an impressive, hedonistic wine. Lush, fruity, and unapologetically ripe on the nose, with plum, black currant, and blackberry bursting forth from the glass. In the mouth, velvety and viscous, it coats the palate with pure, almost jammy fruits. In some ways, this is reminiscent of a Marcassin Pinot. There’s plenty of acidity and a long, ridiculously smooth finish. It’s an improbable wine that defies the convention of the normal Bordeaux blend, but it’s singular and it absolutely works. A -
2004 Favia Cerro Sur - USA, California, Central Valley, Sacramento Valley (4/11/2010)
14.8% alcohol. Beautiful wine. Noticeably Cabernet-like on the nose. Black fruit, prominent tobacco, and a touch of graphite. In the mouth, warm California fruit leads the way. It is pure and in-your-face, which somewhat seems like a contradiction in terms. Well-structured with terrific balance. The fruit is just so delicious and well done. Long finish. A- -
2004 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Covert Fingers - USA, California (4/11/2010)
Very dark red color. Extremely ripe bouquet of blackberry and plum, with a rich spice note. In the mouth, viscous and intense, but slightly lacking in focus. The fruit is at the extreme of Pinot ripeness, almost turning slightly cooked. Enough acidity to keep it from being flabby, but there is noticeable heat on the finish. B+ -
2004 Sine Qua Non Syrah Poker Face - USA, California, Central Coast (4/11/2010)
15.5% alcohol. This is much more representative of how good Sine Qua Non reds can be. Purple-red color. Gorgeous bouquet of slightly jammy blue and black fruit, with a hint of meat and distinct note of bacon fat. In the mouth, powerful and you might almost describe it as brutish if it didn’t have such marvelously done concentration and sense of balance, if on a large scale. Still showing quite primary on the palate, with gobs of fruit and the complexity just beginning to show its stuff. Enough acidity and a long finish that shows some tannins. A -
2007 Dehlinger Chardonnay Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/11/2010)
Lovely Chardonnay. Slightly creamy, oaky edge to the pure pear and apple fruit on the nose, laced with minerals. In the mouth, straightforward and nothing fancy, just good, pure Chardonnay. The fruit leads the way, with a slightly oily texture to it and citrus undertones. Solid acidity and a smoothed, clean finish that shows a hint of oak. A-
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