TNs--OL--"Women of Wine" in Cleveland

WINE TALK
1

My sincere thanks to Loren, Lou Radivoyevich and Robert Lovelace for organizing an OL at Taste in Cleveland. Food and service were top-notch. I got there rather later than I’d have liked, but still managed to spend some time with almost everyone there (16 or so people). We had a lot of wine, only a few of which I ended up sampling. I had suggested the theme, where either the winemaker or the winery owner is one of the fairer sex.

2010 Kathryn Hall Napa Cabernet

Bright cherry, bits of coffee and cedar. This is relatively sweet but also relatively pure. Mulberry underneath? More straightforward than I might have thought.

2009 Jean Edwards Stagecoach Cabernet Sauvignon

Bits of smoky sides, some dill and good berry and plum fruit. Rich, like the vintage, needs a steak. Supercharged plum pudding, cocoa and cherry. Has come along very nicely from my last taste a few years ago.

1991 Corison Cabernet

This is certainly the oldest of hers I’ve had. so this does have an attractive “mustiness” and light soy touch to small dark berries bouquet. This remains very structured and plenty of life, an interesting pomegranate side now. Not excellent, perhaps, but very good and certainly enjoyable for me. Extremely smooth, as a matter of fact. Great to be able to try.

2008 Patricia Green Croft Pinot Noir

Sniffs of forest floor and berry fruit and a very certain freshness about the nose. Dans la bouche, very likeable umami feel and plenty of baking spices to go with bright red berry tastes. Very approachable and nice tang at the front, this is the sort of wine that might make me change my mind about how soon to drink Oregonian wines (I’ve tended to want to leave them at least 8 years).

2012 Liquid Farms White Hill Chardonnay

I brought this as I was pretty sure most of the crowd wanted to try. Arresting floral aromatics jump out at you, along with pear and some citrus. This has fulfilled its promise from back in January—very fine balance, plenty of flavor, edges of pineapple, lots of tangerine and citrus, but all very fresh and clean and solid. Fine, fine stuff.

2009 Taupenot-Merme Morey St. Denis La Riotte

Has the nice cocoa and earth and black cherry combination. This is delicious, I really mean it. Melts in your mouth with chickoree, black raspberry and fabulous dark chocolate. Not heavy one little bit. One of the better 2009s I’ve tried.

2007 Epoch

This is their first vintage, a GSM blend. Nose knocked me back with a big cherry-strawberry hit and meats and spices to go with. Good attack, decent feel, blackberry in the main with maybe some creosote and some spicecake. Perhaps still a little on the rich and heavy side for me.

2012 Veleta Vijirieja

This was my first chance to meet Nola and Juan, and I hope it won’t be the last. This is 90% vijirieja, an indigenous grape to the region they’re in, near Granada, and 10% Chard. Tropical bouquet, kind of puts me in mind of a white port in some ways. And on the tongue, it’s kind of luscious—not in feel, but in flavor. While there’s a sense of minerality backing it, up front its guava and melon and lychee for me.

1997 Jarvis Cabernet Sauvignon

This was a very generous double-mag contribution from Robert. Perfume-filled scents, swirling around cocoa and berries. That is yum. Stateliness with still so much to give. Striking berry, plum and christmascake combo, touches of bramble and lovely vibrancy. This might’ve been my favourite tonight.

2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah

Still-heady bouquet with meats, cherry, sweet raspberry. In the mouth, solid, driving, primal still. Not that it’s harsh or hard or rough—just lots of developing yet to do. Different from the 04, I think this has a bigger fruit profile, but still should be left for 5 years or so.

I didn’t take formal notes on the 2009 Veleta Nolados, but I liked it, with dried berries component to the palate and overall good presentation (I think it’s 40% cab, 40% merlot, 20% tempranillo). And although Nola and some others found the 2005 Chateau Coutet swoonful, I felt it was decent, but quite a ways behind the 01, 07 and 09 of theirs—it does still show the lime-infused liveliness, but missing a considerable level of depth and interest compared to those others.

Until next time. I must encourage anyone who is thinking of it to come up here—it is a great bunch of people.

Mike

2

It was great to see Mike. He missed his last trip due to a very unfortunate bicycle accident. Glad he was able to make it last night although I only got a brief chance to speak with him. Hopefully we can talk again soon. FWIW, here are my notes on the wines:

WOMEN IN WINE - MIKE G AND NOLA VISIT CLEVELAND - A Restaurant on Lee Road (9/27/2014-9/29/2014)

Mike Grammer was making his annual trip to visit friends in Cleveland. When he does, he will usually set aside some time to visit his wine friends. Last night was that night. Mike picked the theme for this dinner as Women in Wine (winemakers, owners, etc.). To add to the theme Nola Palomar and her husband wine came in also with a bunch of their Veleta wines. It was a long evening, 4.5 hours, with dinner off the menu. The food was great and we were given a private room in the back. There were 16 of us, so not everyone got to try everything. I think I may have hit them all though. Pours were small and this was more social than critical tasting. Still, I took notes fwiw.

  • NV Marie Demets Champagne Brut Tradition - France, Champagne (9/27/2014)
    I really liked this bottle. Silvery/gold in color. The nose is mild at first, then apples and slight honeyed notes come out (a Rosh Hashana wine?). Slightly sweet on the attack but finishes dry. Apples give way to a lemony finish. Nice acidity. It is not a big wine but has a nice charm to it. A Fass Selection wine. (91 pts.)
  • 2006 Duval-Leroy Champagne Cuvée Design Paris - France, Champagne, Côte des Blancs, Champagne (9/29/2014)
    There was a time I drank a lot of this, but haven’t seen it in a while. I don’t know if this was a recent purchase or not. Light golden in color. The nose has some toast and a bit of baking soda. Lots of medium to small bubbles. On the palate, an ever so slight toasty quality with good balance and acidity. Slight ginger as well. And of course, a very pretty bottle. (90 pts.)
  • 2008 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Croft Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (9/27/2014)
    I thought this bottle was great, but not what I was expecting. Even for 08, this is a pretty big and ripe wine. The nose has lush cherries with a slight root beer nose. Slightly tart acidity on the palate and tons of red cherry fruit. A bit of tannins as well. Drinking quite well now, but hints at some future development. (92 pts.)
  • 2008 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Balcombe Vineyard Dundee Hills - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (9/27/2014)
    This was a harder wine to judge and probably hurt by the setting. The nose is very tight. Some cherries. On the palate, there seems to be much more depth but it takes some coaxing. I would hold these as this bottle seemed to need time. It has more complexity and less fruit than the Croft. Still, it is quite nice now and I bet that later in the night, it was singing, but I never made it back. (90 pts.)
  • 2009 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/27/2014)
    My first time trying this winery that I recall. The nose has plenty of dust and cassis. I also though perhaps some VA, enough to be noticeable and lift the aromatics, but also enough to be a bit of distraction. Those around me seemed to agree. It was, however, much better on the palate. Very balanced. I know the bottle had been open a while, but I am not sure for how long. A nice streak of acidity. Good cassis fruit with some depth. Needs time, but a very nice Cal Cab! (92 pts.)
  • 2007 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Scallop Shelf - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (9/27/2014)
    I liked this a lot. 14.2% Alcohol. The nose has cherries and a nice mineral quality. This has a lot of complexity to it at this point. Not a young wine, but no hurry either. Layers of cherries and earth. Nice finish. Quite delicious. (91 pts.)
  • 1999 Viader Proprietary Red - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/27/2014)
    Like many 99’s, I found this to be drinking very well right now. I wouldn’t hold these a lot longer, but if you like an aged Cab, at 15 years from vintage, this is drinking well. The nose has cassis and dust and slightly old oak/wood. Layers of complexity. Very balanced. Plenty of cassis left as well as some forest floor qualities. Food friendly. (92 pts.)
  • 2007 Domaine Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Colombis - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/27/2014)
    My first bottle of this was a hot disjointed mess. That was about 2 years ago. This was also my bottle from the same source. Not sure if it was the time or the bottle, but this was great. Ripe dark cherries and raspberries on the nose. Some spice and floral notes too. Great juicy texture. Complex layering. Great fruit that woke up my palate. Still youthful but nearing peak. Seamless and delicious. (97 pts.)
  • 1991 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/27/2014)
    Beautiful showing for this older Cab. The nose has cassis, dust, some tea leaves and dried wood notes. Layered on the palate with cassis and earth and some dried fruit and leaves. I suppose this is past prime, but it drinks so nicely and very much like an Bordeaux with similar age. There is still fruit left too. (93 pts.)
  • 2010 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/27/2014)
    Whoa. This is damn good. coming right after a 91 Corison, this was a complete change. This is young and very big. A great example of a classic Napa cab. The nose has a ton of cassis and a fair amount of oak as well. It shows as more vanilla than fresh cut lumber for me. Sweet cassis fruit on the palate with some vanilla. Lovely lush texture. Long finish. At the same time, this is deft on its feet and went quite fine with my food. (95 pts.)
  • 2003 Domaine Le Roc Des Anges Carignan de 1903 - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Pyrénees-Orientales (9/27/2014)
    This is very interesting. Not too many Carignan wines out there. The nose has plums and blueberries. On the palate, this seems mature but not past that in any way. It has a great depth and intensity to the wine. Plenty of fruit. Enough acidity to handle food. Much more about purple and blue fruits than red which distinguished it from the CdP on the table. Very nice. (91 pts.)
  • 2012 Liquid Farm Chardonnay White Hill - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (9/27/2014)
    My first time getting a chance to try this producer. I liked it. Yellow gold in color. The nose has some peach and a bit of citrus with just the slightest hint of oak. I am pretty sure I remember it gets no new oak, but this surprised me. On the palate, this has peaches, some apples and again, the slightest hint of smoke. It is food friendly and clearly of California albeit better than most. I hope to try a bottle of this again at some point in a better tasting environment. (91 pts.)
  • 1997 Jarvis Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/27/2014)
    This was from a 3L bottle. Probably ageing much slower than a regular bottle. The nose is quite pretty with cassis, some vanilla and some dried cherries. On the palate, not as vibrant as the nose but still drinking well. Cassis and earthy tones layered. Nice balance. Drinking with some age, but plenty of fruit left. A nice treat. (90 pts.)
  • 2013 Bodega Dominio Buenavista / Veleta Vijiriega - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Calidad de Granada (9/27/2014)
    I really liked this wine in prior vintages and this is consistent. At around $10, this a GREAT value. It drinks like a cross between Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. I don’t think it sees any oak. Mineral driven with a bit of quince fruit. Refreshing and vibrant enough to wake up my palate. Really delicious. (90 pts.)
  • 2009 Bodega Dominio Buenavista / Veleta Tempranillo Privilegio - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra (9/27/2014)
    This is a new wine for them. Apparently it has Graciano added to the Tempranillo. I liked it, but didn’t love it as much as others in their lineup. I think I prefer the Nolados and Cab a bit more than their Tempranillo. The nose has some nice cherries which carries thru to the palate. Nice balance. It has more finesse than their usual Tempranillo. (89 pts.)
  • 2009 Bodega Dominio Buenavista / Veleta Nolados - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra (9/27/2014)
    I did not try this but was told it was corked as this is my favorite wine in their line-up. NR (flawed)
  • 2011 Maple Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc Estate - USA, Ohio, Grand River Valley (9/27/2014)
    This is a local Ohio winery and I will admit to not having great experiences with them in the past. Still, their wines have been drinkable if vastly over priced. As I reached for the bottle, the couple next to me was dumping their glasses and warned me. I tried it anyway. It looked like a rose, so perhaps this was supposed to be a Rose, but the label did not indicate that. It is vegetal, bitter and thin. I quickly dumped my glass. Its tough to make good red wines in Northeast Ohio.
  • 2007 Epoch Estate Wines Veracity Paderewski Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (9/27/2014)
    This is the oldest Epoch I have tried. They always seem quite young and this one also seemed young. Still, it was drinking great. Raspberries and black cherries on the nose with some oak, and a bit of black licorice. Smooth with a lovely silky texture. Deep with layers that unwind in the glass. Nice balance. Long finish. Still some upside here. (93 pts.)
  • NV Bodega Dominio Buenavista / Veleta Don Miguel - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de Mesa de Andalucía (9/27/2014)
    The first bottle of this seemed ever so slightly corked. Not everyone agreed, but a second bottle was much better. It is a late harvest Cab Merlot blend I believe. The nose has cherries, and some liqueur notes. Slightly viscous, slightly sweet (the first bottle seemed almost dry). Not cloying. Quite tasty. Nice wine. (91 pts.)
  • 2009 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Morey St. Denis 1er Cru La Riotte - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis 1er Cru (9/27/2014)
    This is very nice. I was surprised how open and accessible it seemed. The nose has cherries with some spice. Medium bodied. Drinks easily with a surprising amount of layering already. Very elegant wine. (90 pts.)
  • 2007 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/27/2014)
    This started a bit rough but with air, it opened up. The nose is slightly bitter and the acidity out of whack. With some air it shows nice cassis fruit with a bit of tobacco. On the palate, this drinks different from many 07’s. Not as ripe, but not a problem. Mostly cassis with a touch of boysenberry. Medium tannins. Nice finish. (91 pts.)
  • 2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah - USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder (9/27/2014)
    I tried to wait on this to allow it as much air as possible. The nose has blueberries and black raspberries with a bit of pepper. Some coffee notes as well. On the palate, nice acidity. Good fruit. Still young, but starting to unwind. Medium tannins. These wines need time. (91 pts.)
  • 2005 Bodega Dominio Buenavista / Veleta Cabernet Sauvignon - Spain, Andalucía, Vino de la Tierra Contraviesa Alpujarra (9/27/2014)
    If this wine was from Napa it would sell for $35 plus and sell out right away. At nine years from vintage, this is drinking great. Its mature with some complexity. Still good fruit, mostly cherries and red currants. Nice balance. Still life ahead of it. (91 pts.)
  • 2005 Château Coutet - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac (9/27/2014)
    A very nice Sauterne but not in the top echelon. Nice honeyed nose. Slightly sweet. Not cloying, but lacks the verve to be truly special. That said, it is a great wine that has enough going on to cut thru the haze and make me take notice. (91 pts.)

Its always great to meet up with people from the BB’s that we “talk” to, but rarely get to meet face to face.
Posted from CellarTracker

3

I forgot about the 99 Viader, I concur with Loren’s notes—don’t keep it much longer, but a very nice, balanced and mature drink.

4

A clarification. Based on my pictures of the labels, the Duval-Leroy was the 2006 Brut.

A nice evening of good friends, good food, and good wine! Nice to see Mike again!

5

I just spent the last hour typing up my notes and as I was on the Coutet my browser decided to refresh itself and erased them all. Shame on me for doing it in a reply to this thread and not in CT. Lesson learned. I’ll try again tomorrow.
This is what I have for the Duval - 2006 Duval-Leroy Champagne Cuvée Design Paris, France, Champagne - CellarTracker

6

Sounds like a wonderful evening Mike.
Great jobs guys.

7

Thanks Dick. Corrected above.