Castle Rock, Sojourn, Siduri, Russian River Brewery, Paloma, ACME, Anderson's Conn Valley, Joseph Phelps, Napa Wine Co. , Ridge Monte Bello
Dinner in Seattle - A Pinot for warming up
- 2007 Castle Rock Pinot Noir Monterey County - USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County (8/27/2009)
A dinner drink to prep us for Pinot-Mode at Sojourn tomorrow. Subdued nose, but does have cherry cola flavors, anise, clean, feels like from a warmer area. But I sense a FAKE CARAMEL smoothness, and fading finish. Good everyday pinot. (85 pts.)
Sojourn Tasting Room
Lost Notes, scores accurate, but review from memory. Every wine was so good and distinctly different.
- 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/28/2009)
(From Memory) - Very Impressive wine to start our day. Light transparent rim, but flavors are disproportionally full and ripe. Sweet berries fruit, naturally smooth, short-med finish. (90 pts.) - 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Alder Springs Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (8/28/2009)
( From Memory ) - New release, but still surprised I am the 1st to write about this.
Sweet oak (14 months compare to 10 months on others),licorice, toastiest of the flight. Deep, rich and darker. I imagine this will be a big hit with James Laubes. I like this style, stand in strong contrast with the rest of the line up. 92-93 (92 pts.) - 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Demuth Vineyard Anderson Valley - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (8/28/2009)
(From Memory) New Release
Like Burgundian or New Zealand. Strawberry, cherry, a lot spicier. clove or mint ? but still got the deep bouquet for the very pale color. Just not my style. (91 pts.) - 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/28/2009)
( From Memory ) Dully Unimpressive At First. Later changed in the glass. Needs a little time in the glass. Cherry Cola, Long finish and Minerals. Classic Pinot Noir.
I bought this one, hoping to slide it in a Burgundy Blind Tasting in the future. RIVALS the gap crown. First 91 pts, then 93-94. (94 pts.) - 2007 Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/28/2009)
( From Memory ) Most concentrated, deepest of all. Medium ruby rim. Best of flight for me. But I bought the Sangiocomo instead. 94-95 (94 pts.) - 2005 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (8/28/2009)
( From Memory ) - A touch simple, yummy, strong currant fruits. (90 pts.) - 2005 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Mountain Terraces - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (8/28/2009)
( From Memory) Creme de Cassis nose, Deep fruits, black fruits, I quite like this one. I have to taste it side by side with the Home Ranch 3 times to find the winner. 92-93 (93 pts.) - 2006 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (8/28/2009)
( From Memory) A very different nose with the other Cabs. Blueberry-ish, not as dark, but flavors just as strong, long finish, velvety. 93+
ReTasted against the Mountain Terrace but i liked this better. (93 pts.)
Siduri Warehouse Tasting & Tour
- 2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Beran Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains (8/28/2009)
Blurred color, slightly bitter, short, coffee, toasty, not integrated. ( not quite the same as everyone else 's comments, I have no idea why ) (87 pts.) - 2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (8/28/2009)
fruitier than the Beran, more Acidic, oaky. (88 pts.) - 2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills (8/28/2009)
Super Ripe, nose of Pomegranate, cherry, smooth, mid palate atk, medium long finish. 91-92. Impressive for 2006. (92 pts.) - 2008 Novy Family Wines Chardonnay Keefer Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/28/2009)
unoaked, crispy fruits, green apple. (86 pts.) - 2006 Novy Family Wines Syrah Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/28/2009)
The left over barrel from the blend. Very good. Pitch black color, slightly sweet, wild berry and Jammy. Reminds me of $25+ Aussie. ($19.5 at winery)
Recommended. (89 pts.) - 2006 Novy Family Wines Syrah Christensen Family Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/28/2009)
Violet, crushed pepper, raspberry, long and elegant. 92-93 (92 pts.) - 2006 Novy Family Wines Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (8/28/2009)
Aroma of rose pedals, pepper, leather, dark color but lighter than it looks, a balanced style. $27 Recommended. (93 pts.) - 2008 Novy Family Wines "Oley" Late Harvest White - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/28/2009)
Maybe around 92 pts, I like sweet stuff so I could be generous. Floral, peachy, honey-layered, complex, long, and not syrupy sweet. A steal, we bought 4 at $15 ea. (92 pts.)
Paloma Vineyards - Spring Mountain
Spectacular View
- 2006 Paloma Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (8/29/2009)
Plum Plum Plum, the creamy flavors does show up later, a mid/heavy weight for merlot, but lacks the punch. 15% Cabernet in the blend but felt negligible. It should easily live on the balance for 5-8 years. For the Merlot Enthusiast. (93 pts.)
ACME Fine Wines
Our host, Scott, had an incredible memory. He is a living wine dictionary.
- 2006 Stanton Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (8/29/2009)
Tasted at ACME fine wines in St Helena. Winemaker: Dave Finny. Alcohol 14.8%
This feels like a 13.5% cab, cassis, currant, creamy french oak, good mid palate weight, long, good finesse. Only down side is HOT on the finish. 93, almost 94 pts. The unique mid palate tastes, tells me it will Match perfectly with strong cheese. Drink 2010 to 2020
Highly Recommended for cheese lovers. (93 pts.)
ACV Tour and Tasting
There was a chardonnay too, but didn't take notes.
- 2005 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, North Coast, Lake County (8/29/2009)
First of flight. I wrote 89 but it was clearly 90+, hesitant to give it too high to begin with.
Light golden color, Smokey, oak and fruit had perfect balance. FINALLY a sauvignon blanc I didn't hate. (90 pts.) - 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
From rocky clay soil. Ripe, bitter cherry, see thru color. light to no color rim. some anise and mineral but still pretty new world. Drink soon (89 pts.) - 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Right Bank - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
70% Merlot 30% Cab Franc.
Coffee, chocolate, deep. Stronger punch than Paloma merlot but lacks the finesse. Still Excellent. 92-93 (93 pts.) - 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
Crimson, purple rim. Creme de Cassis, black fruits, spicy red, rich. I wanted to say fruit bomb but no, it is just concentrated in a different way. (94 pts.) - 1999 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
65% Cab S, 25% Cab F, 10% Merlot
Toffee Aroma, [ Can't read my own writing -> Best of flight, so far ?? ]
Earthiness, soft tannin, long finish. Slightly acidic but complex, slightly herbal from the cab franc, but not noticeable or in a bad way.
Drink over the next 5 years for best results. (93 pts.) - 2007 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
Taken from the barrel for 18 months, I have little experience with barrel tasting but this is damn good.
A nose of Cassis, oaky at this stage, hopefully will subdue overtime. VERY LONG FINISH, but well hidden tannins. Reminds me very much of the Nicolas Catena Zapata 2004. Very Raspberry like, but not over extracted. Getting Creamier with exposure to air.
I am looking forward to its release. 96++ (96 pts.) - 2002 Ghost Horse Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
Last of flight. Although very prestigious, the Eloge before it just sets the bar sky high.
Black currant, big napa fruits, more Napa than Napa. Fruitiness and toastiness are both mighty high, but not out of whack like the Mollydooker stuff.
Still young, developing, soft tannins. Interesting Cult wine experience. 95+ (95 pts.)
Joseph Phelps
The Freestone sauv blanc, chardonnay and pinot were tasted, 85-87 pts range, spit bucket it goes, didn't bother with a full review.
- 2006 Joseph Phelps Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009) (88 pts.)
- 2006 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (8/29/2009)
89+
austere, Coffee like, Better than the merlot, some complexity, but still lacking balance. (89 pts.) - 2005 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
Difficult to determine. Very austere, Definitely needs time, but seem overrated to me. RP95 WE95 and CG WOTY, I expected much more.
Classic Example of Harsh tannins, mocha, deep roast and muscle packed core. A New World Pleaser. 91-93+ (92 pts.)
Napa Wine Company
Thanks to our friend Ralph being a member, we were able to taste more than we bargained for. Ghost Block was the best of flight.
We also tasted the 06 Marjana Red, no character, not found on CT, not worth a full review. < 87 pt.
- 2005 Showket Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (8/29/2009)
Gives me the impression of Nutty, Almond, good nose. Light pepper, wild berries, chocolate. almost syrah-like in some ways. 92-93 (92 pts.) - 2007 Vinifera Vineyards Nivens - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
Very floral, slight over-smoked, fading away. 88-90 (88 pts.) - 2005 Mirror Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
Dark, rich, ripe fruit, smells great/taste okay. Toffee, goes well with some cheese. 90-92 (91 pts.) - 2006 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (8/29/2009)
sweet strawberry aroma, sharp and then turns mellow in the glass. Slightly earthy and mineral. Glad to see a different style in Napa for a change. 93-94 (93 pts.) - 2005 William Knuttel Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/29/2009)
Muted nose, ripe, over oaked. Absolute spit bucket material (85 pts.) - 2004 William Knuttel Le Petit Malin Sonoma County - USA, California, Sonoma County (8/29/2009)
Blueberry, sweet. spicy oak, Could potentially improve with time. 89+ (89 pts.)
Ridge Winery
- 2007 Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (8/30/2009)
fruit, lemon, balanced, wonderful (91 pts.) - 2002 Ridge Syrah II Lytton Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (8/30/2009)
tar, fruits, smaller berries, full body. (92 pts.) - 2005 Ridge Syrah Lytton West Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (8/30/2009)
Felt the viognier floral component, overall same as Lytton spring. Very good. (91 pts.) - 2005 Ridge Monte Bello - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (8/30/2009)
Very correct about infanticide. too young. One of the few Californian Cabs I tried that showed the graphite grip. ( Pauillac anyone ?) Intense wild berries. Speculating the life span of this wine will be an interesting topic in the future. (96 pts.)
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