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Enjoying wine - perspectives on wine buying, collecting, tasting, a study in wine marketing & branding; observations, experiences and ruminations of a winegeek & frequent traveler. Sharing so others can 'unwindwine' for greater wine discovery, understanding and appreciation.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Rick's Wine Journal Index of California Wines Tasted - Q-S
Rick's Wine Journal Index of California Wines Tasted - Producers T-Z
Rick's Wine Journal
Index of California Wines Tasted - Producers T-Z
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T-Vine Napa Red Wine 2005 - August 28, 2010 |
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| Taken Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine 2013 - September 10, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
| Taken Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine 2012 - February 14, 2015, April 25, 2015 | ||||||||||||||
| Taken Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine 2011 - July 4, 2015, December 28, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
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Terra Gratia Napa Valley Red 2011 - December 5, 2014 |
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Terre Rouge Amador County Syrah 2000 - Dec 23, 2002 |
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Terra Valentine Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - June 25, 2012 |
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Thirteen Napa Valley 2001 - Nov 12, 2004 |
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Titus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - Feb 28, 2006 |
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Tobin James "Liquid Love" Late Harvest Zinfandel Paso Robles 2005 - February 25, 2012 |
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Trader Joes Grand Reserve Lot #22 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012 - September 2, 2103 |
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Thunder Mountain Cienega Valley Merlot 1998 - Dec 13, 2000 |
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Turley Old Vines Zinfandel 2006 - September 11, 2008, November 1, 2008 |
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Turley Old Vines Zinfandel 2004 - November 22, 2007 |
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Turn Four Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - May 17, 2010 |
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Toad Hall, Napa Valley Carneros Pinot Noir 2007 October 2, 2011 |
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Toad Hollow Napa Valley chardonnay 2001- March 28, 2005 |
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Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - Aug 6, 2011 |
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Trefethen American Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - April 13, 2013 |
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Trefethen Napa Valley Halo 2001 - September 6, 2014 |
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Trefethen Napa Valley Halo 1998 - Feb 28, 2004 |
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Trefethen Hungarian Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - April 13, 2013 |
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Trefethen Napa Valley Merlot 2009 - November 7, 2012 |
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Trefethen Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - April 13, 2013 |
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Trefethen Napa Valley Oak Knoll District Chardonnay 2014 - February 25, 2017 |
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Trefethen Napa Valley Merlot 2009 - November 7, 2012 |
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Trefethen Dragons Tooth Napa Valley Red Wine 2010 - April 13, 2013 |
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Trefethen Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2010 - April 13, 2013 |
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Twelve C Rutherford Beckstoffer Georges
III Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - |
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| Twenty Bench Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - March 24, 2015 | ||||||||||||||
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Twenty Rows Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - November 17, 2010 |
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Twomey Napa Valley Merlot 2006 - April 1, 2011 |
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Twomey Napa Valley Merlot 2004 - August 19, 2009. March 26, 2020 |
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Twomey Napa Valley Merlot 2002 - February 3, 2021 |
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Underground Wine Company 'Map' Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - November 8, 2008 |
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Van Asperen Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994 - Dec 24, 2005 |
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Varner Santa Cruz Mountains Spring Ridge Vineyard Ampitheatre Block Chardonnay 2009 - June 16, 2012 |
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VENGE Napa Valley Sangiovese 2000 - Venge Napa Valley Sangiovese
1999 - Dec 15, 2002 Venge - Saddleback Napa Valley
Old Vines Zinfandel 1997 - Feb 22, 2004, Jan 19, 2003
Saddleback Cellars Old Vines Zinfandel Napa
Valley 1997 - Mar 1, 2002 Venge Vineyards Family Reserve
Scout's Honor Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2007 -
July 23, 2010 Venge Vineyards Family Reserve
Scout's Honor Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2005 -
July 9, 2008 Venge Vineyards Family Reserve
Scout's Honor Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2001 -
March 17, 2012 Venge Scout's Honor Family
Reserve Napa Valley Zinfandel 1998 - - March
17, 2012 Venge
Saddleback Cellars Old Vines Zinfandel Napa Valley
1997 - March 17, 2000 Venge Scout's Honor Family
Reserve Napa Valley Zinfandel 1996 - July 5, 2000
Venge Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 -
July 3, 1999
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| Venge Napa Valley Oakville Penny Lane Vineyard Sangiovese 2010 - December 27, 2017 | ||||||||||||||
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Veraison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Sept 28, 2002 |
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Veritas Monticello 2006 Cabernet Franc - November 2, 2008 |
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Vérité La Joie Red Bordeaux Blend 1999 - November 25, 2016 |
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Viader Dare Cabernet Franc 2005 - November 10, 2009 |
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Viader Dare Cabernet Franc 2004 - August 16, 2008 |
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Viader Dare Cabernet Franc 2003 - Nov 3, 2005 |
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Viader Dare Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - November 10, 2009 |
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Viader Dare Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - August 16, 2008 |
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Viader Napa Valley Syrah 2003 - Nov 3, 2005 |
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Viader Napa Valley Syrah 2002 - March 19, 2008, January 29, 2012 |
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Viader Dare Tempranillo 2003 - Nov 3, 2005 |
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Viader Estate Nape Valley Red Wine 2004 - August 16, 2008 |
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Viader Estate Nape Valley Red Wine 2002 - Nov 12, 2004, Nov 3, 2005, February 28, 2019 |
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Viader Estate Nape Valley Red Wine 2001 - August 16, 2008, March 16, 2013 |
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Viader Estate Nape Valley Red Wine 2000 - Nov 3, 2005, January 17, 2015 |
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Viader Estate Red Wine Napa Valley 1997 - May 10, 2000 |
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Viader Estate Red Wine Napa Valley 1990 - March 31, 2011, May 5, 2012 |
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Viader Tempranillo 2004 - August 16, 2008 |
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Viader 'V' Napa Valley Red Blend Petit Verdot 2002 - June 22, 2009, April 23, 2016 |
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Viader 'V' Napa Valley Red Blend Petit Verdot 2004 - August 16, 2008 |
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Viader 'V' Napa Valley Red Blend Petit Verdot 2000 - April 20, 2020 |
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Viader 'V' Napa Valley Red Blend Petit Verdot 1999 - May 22, 2015, September 3, 2020 |
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Viader 'V' Napa Valley Red Blend Petit Verdot 1998 - May 21, 2010 |
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| Vindicated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #4 2012 - April 29, 2015 | ||||||||||||||
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Vine Cliff Oakville Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994 - 12/19/04 |
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Vine Cliff Oakville Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1990 - August 16, 2010 |
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Vineyard '29' Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 - November 2, 2013 |
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Vineyard '29' Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1993 - January 17, 2014, July 5, 2014 |
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Vineyard Block Estate Napa Valley Yountville Meritage 2005 - June 11, 2008 |
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Vision Cellars Marin County Chileno Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004 - October 6, 2010 |
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Volker Eisele Napa Valley Family Estate Chiles Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - January 7, 2008 |
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Volker Eisele Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 - Jan 24, 2003 |
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von Strasser Napa Valley Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - June 10, 2004 |
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| Wallis Family Estate Napa Valley Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - August 17, 2015 | ||||||||||||||
| Walt Bob's Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2017 - December 20, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Walt Bob's Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016 - September 15, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Walt Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016 - October 2, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Walt Bob's Ranch Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016 - September 15, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
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Whalebone Vineyard Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - October 08, 2010 |
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White Cottage Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 1999 - Oct 26, 2003, August 18, 2008 |
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White Cottage Risa Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - Oct 26, 2003 |
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White Cottage Merlot 1998 - Dec 22, 2003 |
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Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - February, 23, 2010 |
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Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - February, 25, 2010 |
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Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - July 10, 2001 |
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Whitehall Lane Mancino Lanciatore Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - July 16, 2018 |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003 - December 29, 2013 Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Chardonnay 2016 |
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| Whitehall Lane Winery Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 - April 21, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Chardonnay 2016 - July 16, 2018 |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Merlot 2014 - July 16, 2018 |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Merlot 2011 - August 13, 2014, |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Merlot 2002 - January 12, 2015 |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Petit Verdot 2014 - July 16, 2018, November 24, 2018 |
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Whitehall Lane Las Brisas Carneros Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016 - July 16, 2018 |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - July 16, 2018 |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Syrah 2014 - August 4, 2018, July 16, 2018 |
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Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Syrah 2016 - August 4, 2018, July 16, 2018, December 10, 2018, December 8, 2020 |
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| Whitehall Lane Tre Leoni (Three Lions) Napa Valley Red Wine 2012 - April 29, 2015 | ||||||||||||||
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White Rock Napa Valley Claret 2002 - November 21, 2010 |
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Chateau Woltner Private Reserve Red Napa Howell Mountain 1995 - July 25, 2003 |
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Wildhurst Vineyards Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - October 19, 2007 |
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William Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 - May 30, 2009 |
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Worthy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Sophia's Cuvee 2001- Oct 5, 2004 |
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Yates Family Vineyards Alden Perry Reserve Red Blend 2005 - March 5, 2011, April 19, 2011, August 31, 2011, October 2, 2013 |
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Yates Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - March 5, 2011 November 7, 2020 |
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Yates Family Vineyard Cheval Cabernet Franc 2007 -
March 5, 2011,
June 3, 2011, |
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Yates Family Vineyard Fleur de Veeder Merlot 2007 - March 5, 2011, July 26, 2013 |
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Yates Family Vineyard Flower Merlot 2007 - March 5, 2011, September 17, 2016 |
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Yates Family Vineyard Viognier 2009 - March 5, 2011 |
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York Creek Vineyards Meritage Napa Valley Spring Mountain District 2001 - February 22, 2009 |
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York Creek Vineyards "MXB" Napa Valley Spring Mountain District Red Wine 2005 - August 24, 2009 |
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York Creek Vineyards "MXB" Napa Valley Spring Mountain District Red Wine 2004 - April 5, 2009 |
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Le Petit Cafe - Country French Cuisine and Wine Experience in B-Town
Le Petit Cafe - Country French Cuisine and Wine Experience in B-Town
An evening at the Le Petit Cafe in downtown Bloomington, Indiana, another visit to this unique dining site that offers authentic Provencal country French cuisine and an opportunity for a French wine flight. As their website says, "Our flair comes from our quirkiness," sums it up well! '.... do not expect expensive silverware, costly and ostentatious embellishments, or, ridiculously overpriced wines. Instead, expect generous servings, warm and unaffected atmosphere, sensible pricing, and hearty, wholesome food." A perfect setting for college visit w./ L, Erin and Lucy to see Alec and friends David and Nate, Shaunik and Reesha..
We dined on steak with herbs and garlic, boneless pork with grapes, sauteed white fish, and chicken in a white gravy like sauce. Steak Aromates, Poulet à l'estragon, Lapin à la moutarde, and Saumon sauce Antiboise. The entrées came with a potato and leek soup, roasted and potatoes and a heart of beet.
Our wine flight consisted of a range of French selections from the Borgogne, lower Rhone, and a vintege right bank Pomerol Bordeaux.
The wines:
Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 1998
Louis Latour, Fleurie Les Garans Cote-D'Or 2000
Clos Rene Pomerol Bordeaux 1994
Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 1998 -
This was the biggest of the four wines, even moreso than the Chateauneuf-du-Pape - and was a perfect accompaniment to the pate and the steaks. Dark color - medium - full bodied. As we work through this case in its 12th year, this wine seems to be more subdued but more balanced, integrated and polished than when younger. Still exhibiting full forward black berry, black cherry and hints of anise, slight earthy leather on a moderate firm tannin finish.
RM 90 points.
http://cellartracker.com/w?8842
Louis Latour, Fleurie Les Garans Cote-D'Or 2000
From the vineyard of Les Garans, situated to the north-east of the village of Fleurie, acknowledged as one of the finest sites for growing top quality grapes because of its combination of unique soil composition and specific microclimate. This wine is deliciously floral on the nose and possesses great smoothness on the palate with a wonderful balancing acidity. Deep red in colour with a clean and rounded bouquet of ripe red fruits. Structured, balanced and quite sinewy on the finish. This was a nice balance to the bigger Gigondas and Bordeaux and a accompaniment to the rabbit with brown sauce, yet sufficiently delicate to pair nicely with the chicken.
RM 87 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1220396
Clos Rene Pomerol Bordeaux 1994
Dark inky purple, medium-full bodied. Complex black cherry and black berry with a layer of anise, leather and a hint of tobacco and smoke on the finish with lingering slightly dry tannins.
RM 88 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=60841
An evening at the Le Petit Cafe in downtown Bloomington, Indiana, another visit to this unique dining site that offers authentic Provencal country French cuisine and an opportunity for a French wine flight. As their website says, "Our flair comes from our quirkiness," sums it up well! '.... do not expect expensive silverware, costly and ostentatious embellishments, or, ridiculously overpriced wines. Instead, expect generous servings, warm and unaffected atmosphere, sensible pricing, and hearty, wholesome food." A perfect setting for college visit w./ L, Erin and Lucy to see Alec and friends David and Nate, Shaunik and Reesha..We dined on steak with herbs and garlic, boneless pork with grapes, sauteed white fish, and chicken in a white gravy like sauce. Steak Aromates, Poulet à l'estragon, Lapin à la moutarde, and Saumon sauce Antiboise. The entrées came with a potato and leek soup, roasted and potatoes and a heart of beet.
The wines:
Domaine Santa Duc, Prestige des Hautes Garrigues Gigondas 1998
Louis Latour, Fleurie Les Garans Cote-D'Or 2000
Clos Rene Pomerol Bordeaux 1994
This was the biggest of the four wines, even moreso than the Chateauneuf-du-Pape - and was a perfect accompaniment to the pate and the steaks. Dark color - medium - full bodied. As we work through this case in its 12th year, this wine seems to be more subdued but more balanced, integrated and polished than when younger. Still exhibiting full forward black berry, black cherry and hints of anise, slight earthy leather on a moderate firm tannin finish.
RM 90 points.
http://cellartracker.com/w?8842
Louis Latour, Fleurie Les Garans Cote-D'Or 2000
From the vineyard of Les Garans, situated to the north-east of the village of Fleurie, acknowledged as one of the finest sites for growing top quality grapes because of its combination of unique soil composition and specific microclimate. This wine is deliciously floral on the nose and possesses great smoothness on the palate with a wonderful balancing acidity. Deep red in colour with a clean and rounded bouquet of ripe red fruits. Structured, balanced and quite sinewy on the finish. This was a nice balance to the bigger Gigondas and Bordeaux and a accompaniment to the rabbit with brown sauce, yet sufficiently delicate to pair nicely with the chicken. RM 87 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1220396
Dark inky purple, medium-full bodied. Complex black cherry and black berry with a layer of anise, leather and a hint of tobacco and smoke on the finish with lingering slightly dry tannins.
RM 88 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=60841
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
What a nice surprise to find the 2000 Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon on the winelist at Truffles Restaurant and 56 Degree Bar in Bloomington, Indiana during campus visit to son Alec. Tasted with Dennis and Bev M. This wine has all the essential characteristics of a Mt.Veeder appellation Cabernet – dense, generous black fruit integrated with fine, ripe tannins.Expansive aromas of dark black fruit, dusty cedar, chocolate and mint, which deepen over time. Extra-rich, concentrated flavors of ripe black fruit, currant, and cassis, finished with a touch of mint, cream and spice. The finish features a solid, thick core of black fruit that lengthens and combines with silky chocolate, cedar and cassis for a plush, long-lived finish.
Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
RM 91 points.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Venge Vineyards Napa Valley Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve Sangiovese 2000
Venge Vineyards Napa Valley Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve Sangiovese 2000
We discovered, first tasted and purchased this wine during our winery visit and at a lunch tasting with winemaker Nils Venge as part of our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2002. In earlier blog posts I've written about that visit and previous tasting notes, other vintage tasting notes, and Nils Venge, his work with the Sangiovese grape varietal and its history. .
As with earlier tasting notes, the 2000 Venge Vineyards Sangiovese is grown on the Venge Family Estate Penny Lane Vineyard in Oakville. Ripe and smooth for a Sangiovese, the 2000 is dark inky color but starting to show a tinge of rust and brown edges at this stage of life. Medium bodied, it still presents pretty, ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors at its core highlighted by a layer of herb and anise notes and touch of leather and tobacco. It has a flavorful lush long finish.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=17566
We discovered, first tasted and purchased this wine during our winery visit and at a lunch tasting with winemaker Nils Venge as part of our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2002. In earlier blog posts I've written about that visit and previous tasting notes, other vintage tasting notes, and Nils Venge, his work with the Sangiovese grape varietal and its history. .
As with earlier tasting notes, the 2000 Venge Vineyards Sangiovese is grown on the Venge Family Estate Penny Lane Vineyard in Oakville. Ripe and smooth for a Sangiovese, the 2000 is dark inky color but starting to show a tinge of rust and brown edges at this stage of life. Medium bodied, it still presents pretty, ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors at its core highlighted by a layer of herb and anise notes and touch of leather and tobacco. It has a flavorful lush long finish.
RM 90 points.
Tasted with L and Sean celebrating his birthday at Angelis, our favorite neighborhood Italian trattorria.
Tasted with L and Sean celebrating his birthday at Angelis, our favorite neighborhood Italian trattorria.
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| Tasting with Nils Venge at Tra Vigne in St Helena, Napa Valley |
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| Venge Vineyards Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese |
Friday, February 3, 2012
Darioush Napa Valley Shiraz 2003
Darioush Napa Valley Shiraz 2003
Continuing recent exploration of California Napa Valley Shiraz' that began with the spectacular standard bearer Kongsgaard Napa Valley Hudson Vineyard Syrah 2007.
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| Rick with Olivier Bernard and Darioush Khaledi |
We discovered Darioush wines at Cress Creek Country Club.We then visited the winery and first tasted this wine during during our Napa Wine Experience 2003 winery visit and cellar tasting with winemaker Steve McDevitt. We enjoyed an elegant Darioush Winemaker dinner at Everest Restaurant in Chicago hosted by owner producer Darioush and Shaptar Khaledi celebrating their collaboration with Olivier Bernard and Domaine de Chevalier in Pesaac Leognan Bordeaux. Chef Joho prepared a special dinner featuring and complementing their wines poured by winemaker Steve McDevitt.
The magnificent Darioush Winery sitting at the bottom of Silverado Trail as you depart the town of Napa heading north into the eastern Napa Valley, is a key attraction when visiting wine region. They feature private tours and cellar tastings or there is an elegant wine bar where you can taste Darioush wines without a reservation.
RM 91 points.
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