Tablas Creek 2005 EDB
Funky and dusty nose. A little more muddled than the last time I had it. Red and dark fruits but simple and maybe a little tight. Medium bodied and long finish. Good for the price Eh overall.
2000 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages
Big ass cab nose with some purple fruits and flowers on the side. Big brawny palate with dark berries, chocolate, smoke and some alcohol. A bit of gritty tannins completes the picture. Oddly enough one of the best CC Ive ever had.
2005 Carlisle Pelkan Syrah
Open for three hours. The nose is muted but shows hints of chocolate a little oak and hints of blackberries. The palate has a full glycerin feel but this is a tight bitch. Hints of chocolate and black berries but hard to keep them in the mouth. There is a bittle note, that Im sure will go away when the fruit blooms. Im leaving most of it for tomorrow.
I’m a lonely fan of the Cinq Cepages, to me it tastes like a Cab should taste. I can almost always pick it up at about half price. Glad to see an off vintage get some love.
Dont feel too lonely, I own at least one bottle from 96 to 04. I like it for the price, a lot. There was something “just right” about this bottle. The 02 is my favorite for consistency.
I was dissapointed by the 97.
–B
Count me in the Cinq Cepages camp as well from way back to the '94 vintage. Wish I could find them at around half price.
Ventura Wine Company had the 05 CC for $39.99 a few weeks ago; they also had BV Georges La Tour 05 for $49.99!
Last week, I dined with a good friend at Palate in Glendale and he was kind enough to fetch a 96’ CC from his locker. It was great - WOTY or not!
How the mighty have fallen.
Carlisle finally opened up on day three. Lots of black fruits and chocolate, but harsh alcohol and somewhat bitter. Not my favorite Carlisle.