October 2013: What are you drinking?

Last night with two friends in town from Austin. They prefer Cali cab.

1996 Pol Roger Winston Churchill
2004 Screaming Eagle Cab
2007 Scarecrow Napa Cab
1992 Dalla Valle Maya

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
Last night with two friends in town from Austin. They prefer Cali cab.

1996 Pol Roger Winston Churchill
2004 Screaming Eagle Cab
2007 Scarecrow Napa Cab
1992 Dalla Valle Maya

I like Cali cab.

Last night's dinner with friends:

1994 Domaine Aux Moines Savenneires-Roche Aux Moines

1991 Kalin Cellars Cuvee LR Chardonnay

1964 Chateau Latour

1974 Sterling Vineyards Reserve Cabernet

1986 Leoville Las Cases

1997 Ciacci Piccolomini D'Argona Pianrosso Brunello di Montalcino

2009 Morlet Pinot Noir

1994 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Vin De Paille

My favorites were the 1974 Sterling and 1997 Ciacci. The 1994 M. Chapoutier was drinking very well with a caramel cake. Great night!

Just popped a 2011 Sandler Santa Lucia Chardonnay.

1998 Sattui Zinfandel Suzanne's vineyard
2000 Ridge Montebello

2008 Bruno Giacosa Nebbiolo d'Alba- for $23 one could do a lot worse. Roses, red fruit, nice acidity.
2011 Dow Porto Vintage. From 375ml decanted 10 hours. Back up the truck. Wow.

Z011 Turley Juvenile at restaraunt off list

2011 Sandler Bien Nacido Pinot

2008 Il Borro Il Borro Toscana IGT
(off restaurant list)

Haven't been able to check in here recently, so from memory over the past week or so

2001 Poggio Scalette, Il Carbonaione (excellent with little sign of age. My last one )
2010 Pingus, RdD Flor de Pingus
2003 Gramona, Cava, Gran Reserva Imperial
2010 Littorai, Pinot Noir, Les Larmes
2008 Stonestreet, Chardonnay, Red Point
2009 Deux Amis, Zinfandel, Dry Creek
2012 Goldeneye, Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley
2010 Stonestreet, Chardonnay, Bear Point
2012 Sbragia, Sauvignon Blanc
2012 Seghesio, Pinot Grigio, Keyhole Ranch, RRV
2010 Sequoia Grove, Cabernet Sauvignon, NV

and then there were a few tastings

Stonestreet

2011 Alexander Valley Chardonnay
2010 Broken Road Chardonnay
2010 Gravel Bench Chardonnay
2009 Bear Point Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Monument Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Legacy (red blend)
2007 Lost Pine, Merlot

Stryker

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Alexander Valley
2010 Petit Verdot, Estate AV
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile
2009 Red Blend, Rockpile

Roederer Estate

NV Brut
NV Rose
2002 L'Ermitage Brut
2004 L'Ermitage Brut
NV Extra Dry
2010 Chardonnay, Anderson Valley
2009 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2008 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Goldeneye

2012 Vin Gris, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2012 Gewurztraminer, Anderson Valley
2011 Migration, Chardonnay, RRV
2011 Migration, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2010 Pinot Noir, Estate Anderson Valley
2010 Pinot Noir, Estate, Confluence Vnyd
2010 Pinot Noir, Estate Split Rail Vnyd
2010 Pinot Noir, Estate The Narrows Vnyd
2010 Pinot Noir, Estate Gowan Creek

The Estate pinots were all excellent. Very structured and could use some time.

Breggo

2010 Riesling, Anderson Valley
2011 Gewurztraminer, Ferrington Vnyd Anderson Vally
2010 Chardonnay, Savoy Vnyd, Anderson Vally
2010 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2011 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
2011 Pinot Noir, Ferrington Vnyd

Ridge (Lytton Springs)

2009 Mazzoni Home Ranch, Alexander Valley
2009 Buchignani Ranch Zinfandel
2011 Ponzo Zinfandel
2011 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel
2004 Geyserville
2011 East Bench Zinfandel
2011 Lytton Springs, Dry Creek
2010 Estate Cabernet, Santa Cruz
2010 Monte Bello Estate

The Monte Bello is massive. Any enamel I had left on my teeth by then was gone after tasting this wine. Decades, not years, and I'm too old for that. I also liked the 04 Geyserville and the Buchignani.

Ramey

2010 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
2010 Chardonnay, RRV (definitely better than the Sonoma Coast)
2010 Chardonnay, Ritchie Vnyd
2009 Chardonnay, Hyde Vnyd Napa-Carneros
2010 Syrah, Sonoma Coast
2011 Claret
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Pedregal, Oakville

I like his chards better than the reds, but the Pedregal is an excellent wine. $180 is too much though. The Syrah was pretty good too.

Lambert Bridge

2010 Zinfandel, Dry Creek
2010 Zinfandel, Forchini Vnyd Dry Creek
2011 Zinfandel, Maple Vnyds Dry Creek
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

Eric Ross

2011 Albarino, Bokisch Vnyd Lodi
2012 Viognier, Silver Image RRV
2011 Pinot Noir, Saralee's Vnyd
2010 Tempranillo, Bokisch Vnyd. Lodi

Never heard of Eric Ross before this day, but the wines were delicious, especially the tempranillo. He had several other white rhone varietals too, but I never got to them.

Pendleton Estate

The last Alexander Valley winery as you go over the hills to Anderson Valley. Mike is a really nice guy who loves to talk about growing and making wine. Clearly very passionate about it.

2010 Cuvee Rose (Mourvedre & Petit Sirah)
2009 Mourvedre
2009 Buzzard Red
2010 Petit Sirah
2009 Celebration Cuvee, Cabernet blend
2009 Late Harvest Petit Sirah

Now I'm drinking water.

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:


2001 Poggio Scalette, Il Carbonaione (excellent with little sign of age . My last one )

Yikes, I did not see that coming.

PH and I bought magnums of this on release. I have not thought about opening one.

PH, have you opened one of the mags?

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by steve8:

PH and I bought magnums of this on release. I have not thought about opening one.

Then carry on not thinking about it. Your children will enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by steve8:

PH and I bought magnums of this on release. I have not thought about opening one.

Then carry on not thinking about it. Your children will enjoy it.

I was just saying I'm was caught off guard by the aging word. The vintages from the '90's have all needed time and are drinking well, but all vintages are different for sure.

I'm hoping PH has opened one already.

My son-in-laws birthday celebration is today at their home, and everyone is bringing wine.

We are taking...

2x NV Jacques Selosse Substance BdB
2x 2005 Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne

Others will bring red wines. Oh to be in your 20's again.

Last night. Just because

1984 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill.

About as nice a Napa cab I've ever had

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Haven't been able to check in here recently, so from memory over the past week or so

76 wines from memory! Yep, that's the steve8 we know

2006 Collina del Sole BdM, from a 50 cl...not unpleasant but a bit of a weakling.

2010 Château Philippe-le-Hardi Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Clos de la Chaise Dieu
Not earth-shattering, but much better than expected from a $22 Burgundy.

07 La massa giorgio primo

2009 Brittan Vineyards Basalt block Pinot Noir
An excellent full body PN

quote:

Originally posted by max:

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
Last night with two friends in town from Austin. They prefer Cali cab.

1996 Pol Roger Winston Churchill
2004 Screaming Eagle Cab
2007 Scarecrow Napa Cab
1992 Dalla Valle Maya

I like Cali cab.

Ha, more than me perhaps.

On my daughter's birthday, we celebrated with a 2009 Gaja Ca'Marcanda Maragi Toscana IGT. My first time trying this bottling and a very good bottle of wine with great balance of fruit, acidity and tannins. Will age well.

Last night, we opened a 2002 Justin Isosceles. Aged well, and is in a very good place.

A fine evening with the Sunday group...many wines, but the themed blind tasting was:

1995 Mouton Rothschild
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
1995 Pichon Lalande
1995 Haut Brion
1995 Les Forts de Latour
1995 Pape Clement
1995 La Misson Haut Brion
1995 Latour

Too bad something had to finish last...they were all excellent. My lowest score was 93+, and the Pape Clement continues to punch above its class.

2005 Domaine Morey-Coffinet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Fairendes

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Haven't been able to check in here recently, so from memory over the past week or so

76 wines from memory! Yep, that's the steve8 we know

OK, I had a couple of cheat sheets...and I did forget some.

quote:

Originally posted by AllRed:
A fine evening with the Sunday group...many wines, but the themed blind tasting was:

1995 Mouton Rothschild
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
1995 Pichon Lalande
1995 Haut Brion
1995 Les Forts de Latour
1995 Pape Clement
1995 La Misson Haut Brion
1995 Latour

Too bad something had to finish last...they were all excellent. My lowest score was 93+, and the Pape Clement continues to punch above its class.

Which came in last?

quote:

Originally posted by Danyull:

quote:

Originally posted by AllRed:
A fine evening with the Sunday group...many wines, but the themed blind tasting was:

1995 Mouton Rothschild
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
1995 Pichon Lalande
1995 Haut Brion
1995 Les Forts de Latour
1995 Pape Clement
1995 La Misson Haut Brion
1995 Latour

Too bad something had to finish last...they were all excellent. My lowest score was 93+, and the Pape Clement continues to punch above its class.

Which came in last?

The Monte Bello finished last in the group voting with 63 pts, then
Haut Brion, 62
Forts de Latour, 60
LMHB, 55
Mouton, 52
Latour, 46
Pichon, 32
Pape Clement, 26

2009 Ken Forrester, The Gypsy - a grenache, syrah blend from South Africa. Pretty darn good.

quote:

Originally posted by AllRed:
A fine evening with the Sunday group...many wines, but the themed blind tasting was:

1995 Mouton Rothschild
1995 Ridge Monte Bello
1995 Pichon Lalande
1995 Haut Brion
1995 Les Forts de Latour
1995 Pape Clement
1995 La Misson Haut Brion
1995 Latour

Too bad something had to finish last...they were all excellent. My lowest score was 93+, and the Pape Clement continues to punch above its class.

Nice to hear. I have been worried about the '95 Bordeaux vintage.

The '95 Chateau Margaux we had last month was stunning. Nothing wrong with the '95 or '96 Bordeaux wines IMHO.

Over the last 3 days:

2011 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
2008 Cobb Pinot Noir Rice-Spivak
2008 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
2006 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvée Elizabeth Bodega Headlands

2008 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Guadalupe Vineyard
2007 Miro Cuvée Sasha Monte Lago Vineyard

2004 two hands Bella's garden - these just keep on delivering. Rich but not jammy, lots of nuance.

2001 J.J.Prum WS auslese - tasted like it was bottled yesterday. Very good, very young. We loved it but it will be a LOT better in 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Shaferguy91:
Over the last 3 days:

2011 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
2008 Cobb Pinot Noir Rice-Spivak
2008 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
2006 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvée Elizabeth Bodega Headlands

That Aubert is one fine Chardonnay! Obviously had a little age on it vs. Pahlmeyer but how did the two compare?

Over the weekend:

2011 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner #1 – Very good and made we realize I need more Gruner in my life. Mrs. GlennK gave it a big thumbs up.

2011 Cantina Terlan Pinot Bianco Terlano Classico – Really light and kind of boring. One of the few let downs I’ve had from Alto Adige in a while.

2007 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia – Really good as usual. No rush to drink these.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
2001 J.J.Prum WS auslese - tasted like it was bottled yesterday. Very good, very young. We loved it but it will be a LOT better in 10 years.

Thanks for the note. I'd better put these further in back of the cellar.

quote:

Originally posted by Parcival:

quote:

Originally posted by Shaferguy91:
Over the last 3 days:

2011 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay Napa Valley
2008 Cobb Pinot Noir Rice-Spivak
2008 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
2006 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvée Elizabeth Bodega Headlands

That Aubert is one fine Chardonnay! Obviously had a little age on it vs. Pahlmeyer but how did the two compare?

Both were excellent classy chardonnay. I'd give the Aubert the nod by a couple of points.

2001 Neal Cabernet Sauvignon - in a nice place and paired well with braised beef short ribs.

Celebrated our 25th anniversary in Paris with:

Jacques Selosse Initial
1996 Chateau Lagrange
1988 Avignonesi Tenimenti di Sovana Aleatico (brought this one from home so at least one wine would reflect our celebratory year)

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Celebrated our 25th anniversary in Paris with:

Jacques Selosse Initial
1996 Chateau Lagrange
1988 Avignonesi Tenimenti di Sovana Aleatico (brought this one from home so at least one wine would reflect our celebratory year)

Great wines for a great reason. Congrats!

2005 Mastrojanni, Brunello di Montalcino