Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000-2001
Following our Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Winery visit last week on our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2018 and our tasting the Cabernet Franc last evening, we opened Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 in magnum for a family gathering gala dinner. We tasted the 2000 vintage Napa Cab alongside a Château de Pez St Estephe Leognan Bordeaux of the same vintage. After we finished the 2000, we opened a 2001 for a mini-vertical comparison tasting of the label.
Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Tasted from magnum, tonight this wine was showing remarkably well, perhaps due to the
large format bottle which tends to age better and more gracefully than a standard size bottle. While the fruits were a bit subdued, it showed a
solid core framework of tasty oak. This predominant layer of oak was cited by Robert Parker in his review when he wrote: "Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2000 Cabernet
Sauvignon exhibits plenty of new oak and black currant characteristics
as well as fine texture and an attractive mid-weight style ...."
Parker did not project this wine to last for eighteen years suggesting it be consumed 'over the next 5-7 years'.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=578087
Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Our Cellartracker records show we hold a dozen vintages of this wine label. Our last tasting of the 2001 was almost three years ago when I wrote:
"Tasted alongside the '99, this is drinking at the apex of its drinking window and demonstrates the longevity of Napa Valley Cabernets. While it will not likely improve any further with aging, it still has several years to go at this level.'
'Medium to full bodied , deep dark ruby color - black berry and sweet black cherry fruits accented by clove spice and a hint cassis and whisper of English toffee on the 'Rutherford Dust' moderate silky tannin finish."
RM 91 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=485814
We compared these Napa wines against a similar vintage Bordeaux.
http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/12/del-dotto-cabs-stolpman-syrah-for-beef.html
http://www.deldottovineyards.com/
Château de Pez St Estephe Bordeaux 2000
Son Ryan pulled from the cellar this 2000 vintage Left Bank Bordeaux to taste alongside the same vintage Napa Cab.
Garnet colored, medium bodied, black berry, cherry and plum fruits with bright acidity and notes of leather and tea; more vibrant fruit although not nearly as structured or well balanced as the Napa Cabs above, coming across a bit flabby in comparison.
RM 87 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3308
Overall, these wines were a perfect complement to grilled beef tenderloin dinner with haricot vert and scalloped potatoes. They also went with the artisan cheeses before dinner and the varied chocolate desserts, brownies and dark chocolate cake with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Additionally, Linda prepared grilled Sockeye Salmon. With the Salmon, I served a California Sauvignon Blanc 2016.
Oak Farms Vineyards Central Valley Lodi Sauvignon Blanc 2017
The grapes are grown by Mohr Fry Ranches in the Mokelumne
River Sub AVA or the greater Lodi Appellation. The vines are from the same clone (clone 1) that had help
put New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the map. The property has 60 acres of
estate vineyards with grape varietals grown on the property including: Sauvignon Blanc,
Chardonnay, Verdelho, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Primitivo,
Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Sangiovese and Barbera.
Nice easy every day drinking in this high QPR (quality price ratio) Sauvignon Blanc.
This Sauvignon Blanc is light straw colored with light body, flavors of moderate citrus are accented by delicate tones of tropical fruits with hints of mango and passion fruit with pleasant easy drinking crisp acidity and a lingering finish.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=293714
https://www.oakfarmvineyards.com/
Following our Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Winery visit last week on our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2018 and our tasting the Cabernet Franc last evening, we opened Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 in magnum for a family gathering gala dinner. We tasted the 2000 vintage Napa Cab alongside a Château de Pez St Estephe Leognan Bordeaux of the same vintage. After we finished the 2000, we opened a 2001 for a mini-vertical comparison tasting of the label.
Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Parker did not project this wine to last for eighteen years suggesting it be consumed 'over the next 5-7 years'.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=578087
Del Dotto Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
"Tasted alongside the '99, this is drinking at the apex of its drinking window and demonstrates the longevity of Napa Valley Cabernets. While it will not likely improve any further with aging, it still has several years to go at this level.'
'Medium to full bodied , deep dark ruby color - black berry and sweet black cherry fruits accented by clove spice and a hint cassis and whisper of English toffee on the 'Rutherford Dust' moderate silky tannin finish."
RM 91 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=485814
We compared these Napa wines against a similar vintage Bordeaux.
http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/12/del-dotto-cabs-stolpman-syrah-for-beef.html
http://www.deldottovineyards.com/
Château de Pez St Estephe Bordeaux 2000
Garnet colored, medium bodied, black berry, cherry and plum fruits with bright acidity and notes of leather and tea; more vibrant fruit although not nearly as structured or well balanced as the Napa Cabs above, coming across a bit flabby in comparison.
RM 87 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3308
Overall, these wines were a perfect complement to grilled beef tenderloin dinner with haricot vert and scalloped potatoes. They also went with the artisan cheeses before dinner and the varied chocolate desserts, brownies and dark chocolate cake with fresh berries and whipped cream.
Additionally, Linda prepared grilled Sockeye Salmon. With the Salmon, I served a California Sauvignon Blanc 2016.
Oak Farms Vineyards Central Valley Lodi Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Nice easy every day drinking in this high QPR (quality price ratio) Sauvignon Blanc.
This Sauvignon Blanc is light straw colored with light body, flavors of moderate citrus are accented by delicate tones of tropical fruits with hints of mango and passion fruit with pleasant easy drinking crisp acidity and a lingering finish.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=293714
https://www.oakfarmvineyards.com/
