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October 2014: What Are You Drinking?

S seaquamMember
Last night we had 2001 Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf du Pape, still fairly dark, with a nose of sweet ripe fruit, lots of plum, berry, truffle, spice cake notes, very silky, medium-long finish with rich fruit and very little tannin remaining, fully mature and delicious; might last a few more years but probably better to drink now.
W winecanuckMember
quote:

Biggest diappointments:

1994 Ridge (think I tasted an off bottle)


I'm assuming this is the Monte Bello? Our group had is as part of a blind horizontal and had the same conclusion. I mentioned while there in August and our host smiled and politely said the 94 isn't the best example but to try the 92 instead. Interested to hear other experiences.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by steve8:
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
2002 Quebrada de Macul Domus Aurea


What's this wine like at 12 years old? I've had it a few times, but always significantly younger.

I thought the Domus Aurea tasted surprisingly fresh and youthful, no sign of age. It was probably the best bottle I have had. And worth mentioning that I store my wines in a passive cellar. It is quite stable (temp usually in the mid-to-upper 60's) and no humidity control.
L longboarderMember
quote:
Originally posted by mangiare:
2001 Pavie - opened this morning and decanted for 3 hours. I'm liking everything about this wine so far.

Longboarder, I'd be interested in anything you could add to the 2010 Sassicaia. Everything I've read has been positive. Thanks.


Probably suffered from tasting right after the Masseto (they were back to back). Just did not WOW me. Was really closed down which is probably what disappointed me. I should have expected from a 2010 Sass.
V vsMember
Tonight, a pretty decent blind Tuscan red lineup, although nothing blew me out of the water except for a couple of the non-blind side wines. In order of preference:

2009 Argiano Toscana Non Confundituro
2000 Tenimenti Angelini Brunello di Montalcino Val di Suga
2010 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
1997 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo
2004 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino
2010 Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
2007 Elisabetta Geppetti Morellino di Scansano Riserva
2004 Podere La Vigna Brunello di Montalcino

On the side, a couple of interesting Greek whites:
2013 Domaine Porto Carras Athiri Sithonia
2013 Domaine Porto Carras Malagouzia Sithonia
and a very worthwhile California take on Pinot Grigio:
2012 Point Conception Pinot Grigio Marca Solis Sta Barbara County

and finally, the two best wines of the night, both non-blind:
2010 Montepeloso Eneo Toscana
2010 Chateau Smith Haut-Lafite
(I was not responsible for either of the aforementioned infanticides, beyond merely aiding and abetting them)

As this is my 2500th post, I decided it was time for a new moniker. For the last couple of years I've been cutting back somewhat on drinking, buying, and posting here, but my designs for 2015 involve ramping back up on all of the above (and hopefully offlining as well). Thanks to everyone on this forum for keeping things interesting!
S seaquamMember
quote:
Originally posted by Wine Sparty:
quote:
Originally posted by Parcival:
In keeping with my baby-killing ways . . .

2010 Shafer Hillside Select
--delicious despite its extremely young age and 15.5% alcohol content!
--will not be opening another one for many many years to come (which for me, means about 2 years!)

Wow, you really didn't wait long at all on that one!


I wouldn't want to extrapolate too much from so few data points, but we've had 2010 Caymus SS three times, 2010 O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain, 2010 Altamura Napa, and 2010 Lewis Hillstone, and all of these are really enjoyable. I've no doubt they'll improve, but they're fun to drink young if you don't mind purple tongue and teeth.

The Caymus SS, especially, reminded me right away of a big delicious Australian shiraz, and I mean that in the good way. I bought a bunch of these.
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
Last night at Crush with a handful of the TO gang:

2002 Bisol Pas Dosé Extra Brut Millesimato Talento Classico
2010 J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage Blanche
2010 Massa Vecchia Maremma Toscana Fabrizio Niccolaini Rosato
1989 Guasti Clemente Barolo Riserva
1998 Domenico Clerico Barolo Carobric
1996 Heitz Cellars Martha's Vineyard Cab Sauv
1998 Balthasar Ress Hattenheim Nussbrunnen Riesling Spätlese
2009 Massa Vecchia Maremma Toscana Passito (Aleatico)

All bottles tasted blind. All showed well. Some real surprises, especially the Carobric which no one pegged as Nebbiolo. When we learned what it was, we were sure that someone had poured the wrong bottle.

Some of the crew continued at FWR afterwards:

2012 Sottimano Langhe Nebbiolo
V vincentricMember
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sunnylea57:
Last night at Crush with a handful of the TO gang:

2002 Bisol Pas Dosé Extra Brut Millesimato Talento Classico
2010 J.L. Chave Sélection Hermitage Blanche
2010 Massa Vecchia Maremma Toscana Fabrizio Niccolaini Rosato
1989 Guasti Clemente Barolo Riserva
1998 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric
1996 Heitz Cellars Martha's Vineyard Cab Sauv
1998 Balthasar Ress Hattenheim Nussbrunnen Riesling Spätlese
2009 Massa Vecchia Maremma Toscana Passito (Aleatico)

All bottles tasted blind. All showed well. Some real surprises, especially the Carobric which no one pegged as Nebbiolo. When we learned what it was, we were sure that someone had poured the wrong bottle.

THANK YOU for organizing Sunnylea!

Great night, as always! The eclectic mix of wines made it very interesting. Despite it not showing typical Barolo character, I enjoyed the 98 Scavino Carobric. The 1989 Guasti Clemente Barolo Reserva was great also. Would have to say those were my to favorite reds.

I was surprised at how young the 1998 Spatlese showed. This bottles showed younger than the previous one opened in 2012. It was a good pairing with a pear tart.
S seaquamMember
Last night with a set mushroom dinner (chanterelle, lobster mushroom, shitake, porcini, etc incorporated into each course) I had a couple glasses of 2007 Pietro Rinaldi Barbaresco San Cristoforo, which was pleasant in the mouth but forgettable, very little bouquet, light to medium ruby colour, and some plum and berry flavours, quite short finish.
S seaquamMember
Tonight

- 2009 Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otaago -- nice nose of berries and an herbal or leafy note that I can't quite identify; berry, plum, raw beef flavours, very good acidity, medium-long finish; fairly light but concentrated, very nice

- 2001 Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino -- I'm almost at the end of my stash of these, and will be sorry when I have the last bottle; plum, leather, berries, tobacco, all swirling around the palate, silky, good acidity, long finish, rich and satisfying; excellent
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
- 2009 Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otaago --


I've been sitting on a couple of these. Think it will develop further, or is it as good as it will get?

quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
- 2001 Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino --


I'm picking up some of the 1999 tomorrow. Hope it's as good as your 2001!
allredallredMember
Impromptu dinner with m/m tlv at E&S...

N.V. Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Rosé Reserve
N.V. Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru - excellent...loads of citrus tonight
2004 G. Fluteau Champagne Cuvée Prestige Blanc de Blancs - much better than I remember it
2008 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Home Block - WOTN...wow, this has come a long way in 18 months...absolutely gorgeous.
S seaquamMember
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
- 2009 Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otaago --


I've been sitting on a couple of these. Think it will develop further, or is it as good as it will get?

quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
- 2001 Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino --


I'm picking up some of the 1999 tomorrow. Hope it's as good as your 2001!


Amisfield - I don't think it will improve much, if at all, but the acidity will keep it alive for years.

Castelgiocondo - I bought a case of both the 1999 and 2001, and they have been our go-to Brunello for the last few years, a relative bargain for this quality of wine. You might want to see THIS, or THIS, or THIS. I'm not sure I could pick one vintage over the other. You will not be disappointed with your purchase, assuming good storage.
bomba503bomba503Member
1988 Sassicaia

A friend showed up at our Friday spot with 1/3 of the bottle left after dinner. How they didn't finish it was beyond me but I'm grateful they didn't. It was surprisingly youthful. The fruit was alive and well. Had a nice touch of mint to it as well. This wine has a long life ahead of it. Not surprised it's considered among the best if not the best they ever produced.
mangiaremangiareMember
quote:
Originally posted by BOMBA503:
1988 Sassicaia

A friend showed up at our Friday spot with 1/3 of the bottle left after dinner. How they didn't finish it was beyond me but I'm grateful they didn't. It was surprisingly youthful. The fruit was alive and well. Had a nice touch of mint to it as well. This wine has a long life ahead of it. Not surprised it's considered among the best if not the best they ever produced.


Are you referring to the '85 or '88?
sunnylea57sunnylea57Member
quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
quote:
Originally posted by sunnylea57:
quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
- 2009 Amisfield Pinot Noir Central Otaago --


I've been sitting on a couple of these. Think it will develop further, or is it as good as it will get?

quote:
Originally posted by Seaquam:
- 2001 Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino --


I'm picking up some of the 1999 tomorrow. Hope it's as good as your 2001!


Amisfield - I don't think it will improve much, if at all, but the acidity will keep it alive for years.

Castelgiocondo - I bought a case of both the 1999 and 2001, and they have been our go-to Brunello for the last few years, a relative bargain for this quality of wine. You might want to see THIS, or THIS, or THIS. I'm not sure I could pick one vintage over the other. You will not be disappointed with your purchase, assuming good storage.


Thanks, Seaquam!
otwotwMember
Went to the Aberfoyle Mill Mystery Dinner Theater last night to celebrate our daughter's 22nd birthday. Surprised to see that they have some pretty good wines on their list (e.g. multiple vintages of Insignia, Dominus, Sassicaia, etc). Better yet, they have $10 corkage for VQA wines and $15 for imports. And even better, their food was damn good, much better than I was expecting from a dinner-theater.

On to the wines:

2002 Charles Ellner Champagne Brut Seduction
2006 Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay
2006 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Lindsay Estate Vineyard (since our daughter's name is Lindsay, so I couldn't resist)
2008 Giovanni Chiappini Liena Cabernet Franc
bomba503bomba503Member
quote:
Originally posted by mangiare:
quote:
Originally posted by BOMBA503:
1988 Sassicaia

A friend showed up at our Friday spot with 1/3 of the bottle left after dinner. How they didn't finish it was beyond me but I'm grateful they didn't. It was surprisingly youthful. The fruit was alive and well. Had a nice touch of mint to it as well. This wine has a long life ahead of it. Not surprised it's considered among the best if not the best they ever produced.


Are you referring to the '85 or '88?


While the 85 is generally regarded as the best, my friend who spends a couple weeks in Tuscany, Piedmonte etc every year for the 15 years or so has found that many people there prefer the 88. That's why he hunted some down
vinoevelovinoeveloMember
'99 usseglio mon aieul with dinner. Good, not great. Wonderful sweetness balanced with moderate tannic acidity. Well proportioned, nice barnyard sauvage component, but not up to the '99 donjon i had a year ago under similar circumstances. Not nearly as good as the '00 or the '01, but still a beautiful wine with lamb. Glad i have more,and that expectations are now adjusted accordingly. Dont see them lasting much longer.
BP Beta PMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
quote:
Originally posted by Beta P:
1999 Calera Jensen

BetaP, how did this show?


Disappointing. It gave little on the nose at first; an hour later, it started to emerge, then by the time of dinner ( approx. 2 hours), it was good, but not up to expectations. In my experience, it should have showed better right out of the bottle. I scored it 87. Hopefully, it is bottle variation as I have another.

3 years ago, we opened a bottle of '80 Jensen and it was stellar, exceeding expectations, consensus 90+. Calera pinots generally age very well.
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