TNs: Some wines blind

WINE TALK
1
  • 1998 Château La Cabanne - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol (10/8/2009)
    12.5% alcohol. Served blind. Not showing age at all. Lovely nose of leafy tobacco, black fruit, earth, and minerals. In the mouth, racy and elegant. Fruit leads the charge, but the tobacco-like complexity comes forward. The body of the wine is quite soft from time in bottle, with gentle acidity and a caressing finish. B+/A-
  • 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/8/2009)
    14.3% alcohol. Served blind. This is pure expression of Napa fruit. Beautiful nose of currant and dark berry, with terrific notes of earth and cigar box. In the mouth, brawny and youthful, but with excellent and concentrated fruit supported by plenty of complexity, adding some pencil shavings to the tobacco notes. Long finish that gets cut by substantial but ripe tannins. Laube missed the boat with this entirely. I have no idea what wine he drank. A-
  • 2004 Joseph Swan Vineyards Mourvedre - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/8/2009)
    14.2% alcohol. Served blind. Spicy and peppery nose of red-tinged black fruit with a mineral note lingering. In the mouth, rich but laser-like across the tongue. Delightful fruit that mingles with the pepper and spice. Bright acidity. Long finish that dries just a touch. Really delicious and tasty stuff. Plenty of life ahead. A-
  • 2006 Bjornstad Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/8/2009)
    14.0% alcohol. Really nice expression of Chardonnay here. Some oak showing on the nose, but it’s a creamy component that it gives to the apple and lemon zest fruit profile. Also hints of fig and minerals. In the mouth, an oily texture to the citrus-edged apple and pear notes. Strong acidity that frames the minerality. Long finish that gives a creamy, oaky note to the back end of the wine. Underrated Chardonnay comes out of this house. A-
  • 2006 Lynmar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/8/2009)
    Served blind. Classic RRV nose of black cherry and baking spice, with a touch of minerals. In the mouth, quite plush and tasty, with loads of juicy cherry fruit. Bright acidity complements the spice. Solid finish. Very enjoyable. A-

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Tom - great notes, particularly on the Montelena. What was Laube’s review of the wine?

3

Wasn’t it a 72? No kidding, a 72.
He totally missed on this one. I have tried 5 times and all have rocked. Still a bit young, but this one has the goods.

4

Yeah, it was a 72. I had forgotten about that review … then when I was writing up the note, thought to myself … wait, wasn’t this the controversial wine? 72 and listed as tasted three times with the scored sample being the best of the three. I truly have no idea what wine he tasted. Perhaps it was just not in a state of readiness at any level. I have no clue. But 72 bears no resemblance to the excellent, albeit youthful, wine we drank on Wednesday.

5

A recent 2007 from this producer and vineyard showed very similar.
And I agree with your last comment.
Best, Jim