Fogdog Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2010

Fogdog Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2010

Elysian Cafe - Hoboken

We took a weekend getaway to visit son Alec in trendy Hoboken across from Manhatten. Hoboken offers a wonderful array of restaurants, many within walking distance of Alec's place. During the weekend, we enjoyed three wonderful meals at local eateries - Anthony David's Gourmet, Cafe Michelina Italian, and Elysian Cafe, Hoboken's oldest continually operating eatery and bar dating back to 1895.

Of course being the wine geeks we are, selecting our wine experience is an essential and equally important part of our dining experience, so we gravitate to the BYOB eateries. BYOB aside, our most memorable and favorite dining experience in Hoboken remains Amanda's which was our first and chance encounter to Hoboken dining. 

Upon arrival in town, we picked up this Fogdog Sonoma County Pinot Noir at the neighborhood wine shop and enjoyed it back at Alec's with grilled hamburgers, avocado, onion, tomato and cilantro. This smooth easy drinking Pinot was just right for the occasion.

Label from 2009 vintage

This is an interesting whimsical label from the legendary Joseph Phelps known for Bordeaux varietal wines from Napa Valley. Yet Phelps loved the wines of Burgundy and wanted to craft wines in that style. Originally he sourced Chardonnay from St. Helena, then Yountville and later from Carneros.

Through the years, he continued searching for the ideal spot to grow both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He found the perfect combination of climate, soil and location in Freestone, in the Sonoma Coast appellation AVA, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1999, Joseph Phelps Vineyards began developing 100 acres of vineyards just outside of Freestone.

In 2005, he built a new winery which was completed in time for the 2007 harvest. Today, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay produce remarkable estate-grown wines bearing the Joseph Phelps name.

The moniker 'fogdog' refers to 'a bright or clear spot that appears in the breaking fog'. Being just five miles from the coast, the fog rolls in from the ocean and graces the vineyards early in the day before being burned off by the late morning sun.


This Fogdog was sourced from Joseph Phelps' Freestone estate vineyards on the Sonoma Coast. The wine was aged in 30% new French oak before bottling.

From the winery: "Ripe raspberry, red cherry and plum aromas with touches of fragrant violet, earth and tangerine peel. Youthful, with great energy and racy acidity, this wine is loaded with juicy blackberry, black cherry and black pepper with lingering notes of baking spices. During the Fogdog selection process, we look for wines that boast vibrant fruit characteristics in addition to texture and acidity that are approachable upon release without extended bottle aging."

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1583864

Constant Diamond Mountain Claret Horizontal Highlights Beef Tenderloin Dinner

Constant Diamond Mountain Claret Horizontal Highlights Beef Tenderloin Dinner

For an impromptu beef tenderloin dinner party, I suggested opening Napa Valley Cabernets from the mid-nineties so Bill brought Constant Diamond Mountain Claret 96 and 97 and I added a 95 to round out a mini-horizontal. Lyle brought a Guimaraens Vintage Port for dessert which I complemented with a 95 Warre's Quinta de Cavadhina for a comparison tasting.

Prior to the dinner flight we opened a Ravines Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc 2010 and a Reasons 'The One' Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2009. Lyle shared with us his memories from growing up in the Finger Lakes region near Keuka  Lake and swimming right near the Ravines' site.

Linda prepared a butternut squash lobster bisque which we served with a Chateau St Jean Reserve Chardonnay 2007.

Afterwards, we compared Lyle's Guimaerens 1995 Vintage Port with a Warre's Quinta de Cavadhina 1995 Oporto over chocolate truffles, pumpkin and key lime pies.

Chateau St Jean Sonoma County Reserve Chardonnay 2007

Chateau St Jean in Sonoma

Chateau St Jean is one of the classiest producers and wineries in Sonoma Valley with its expansive grounds of stylish gardens and old world style Chateau and accompanying buildings - one of the most authentic old world style sites in the region. Its one of our favorite producers in Sonoma that we've visited on numerous occasions including during our Sonoma Wine Experience 2009.

They consistently produce a selection of quality ageable reds and respectable whites in prices ranging from entry level to moderate to premium. This is a quality Reserve Chardonnay at a fraction of the price of similar labels from other notable producers.

Straw colored, medium bodied, balanced, crisp and lively, a bit buttery and slightly oaky with a solid structure and creamy texture. with aromas and flavors of lemon, pear and mandarin orange with hints of nut, vanilla and clove.

RM 88 points.


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1034421

http://www.chateaustjean.com/



Ravines Wine Cellars Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc 2010

Keuka Lake from Ravines Wine Cellars

Being one of the very few Finger Lakes region wines distributed in the Chicago market attracted us to make sure we visited the winery during our visit to the Finger Lakes Keuka Lake wine region last year. Being three quarters of the clockwise drive around Keuka Lake, we arrived just about closing time and were grateful we were able to convince the staff to bear with us since it was the sole target producer of our trip. We would not be passing by this area again, due to the expanse of the wine trails that envelop three of the five elongated finger like lakes in south central New York state.

Too many of the Finger Lake producers produced a large selection of labels from a large number of varietals. I believe all would be better served if they would stick to the one or two varietals best suited to the region terrior - climate, terrain, soil, drainage etc. For lack of doing so, we tasted too many lackluster disappointing wines during our tour - moreso than standout highlight wines.

Like many of the Finger Lakes produces we visited, Ravines offered no less than nine different labels. I believe if, like most wine producing regions in the world, if they focused on what was best suited to their area, they would produce higher quality from their selectivity. It defies conventional logic that the region is best suited to produce a dozen different varieties of grapes, each with their own suitability to climate, soil, etc.

While I wouldn't expect Cabernet Franc to thrive in this region, this Cabernet Franc is an example of a bold flavorful varietal that gets the most out of the number of sun and degree days available in the climate - pushing the limits of the grape. This Cab Franc overachieves and exceeds expectations, however the bar is set rather low compared to warmer climate locales more suited to the varietal. I expected and think the Rieslings were best suited to the region and offered a better sense of terrior or place.

This Cabernet Franc is opaque purple colored, medium to light bodied, presenting modest black cherry fruits offset by black olive, dark mushroom and earthy spice tones on the modest tannin finish.
The saving grace is that unlike $30 or $40 California or French Cab Francs, this modest price point of  $18, or the $16 in Chicagoland stores, renders a decent QPR - quality price ratio.   

RM 87 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1326506

http://ravineswine.com/


Reasons "The One" Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 

The guys at Wine Discount Center love this wine and give it 93 points. Wine Enthusiast ranked its 2008 as one of the top 100 wines of the vintage. I don't feel it lives up to its billing or its expensive packaging of a oversize weighty bottle, however, it isn't priced like a premium Cabernet so it ends up being a decent value with reasonable QPR (quality price ratio).

From the Horse Heaven Hills area of Washington's Columbia River Valley, the 2009 Reasons "The One" is medium bodied but a bit lean lacking polish and balance, but bursting with aromas of berry fruits upon opening, giving way to dark fruit flavors of black cherry, black plum, blackberry and cassis with hints of tobacco, leather and mushroom.

RM 88 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1627667

http://www.reasonswine.com/


Mini horizontal tasting of Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons - 1995-96-97

We visited Constant Diamond Mountain vineyards high atop Diamond Mountain during our Napa Valley Diamond Mountain Wine Experience 2011. Freddie Constant's property sitting at the summit overlooking Napa Valley to the east and Sonoma Valley to the west is one of but a select few vineyards that span both. The property is one of the oldest, longest continuous production vineyards in the Napa Sonoma region. Tonight's mini horizontal tasting revealed three diverse vintages with different effects yet clung to a common sense of place or terrior that bound the three together.

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Claret 1997

Bill's tasting notes from Cellartracker - Deep indigo color. Full of fruit on the nose. Complex and layered on the palate with classic Bordeaux style notes of leather, tobacco, jammy dark fruit and seemingly typical of Constant, a bit of spice on the back palate. This will still improve for another 3 to 5 years. Fared well against the '95 and '96 Constant Claret though I felt the '95 at this point was a bit more expressive. Could be the '97's still need more time.

WCC 92 points.

True to the vintage ratings, this was the biggest, fullest and most complex of the three vintages - more resembling a left bank Bordeaux than a Napa Cabernet. Medium to full bodied, dark purple, earthy leather, tea and a layer of tobacco compete with the black berry fruits and hint of spice. This was the most stable of the three clinging to its core of fruit and tannin backbone on the finish. 

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=36392


Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Claret 1996

Constant Vineyards magnifcent grounds high atop
Diamond Mountain

Bill's post - This was good, but like many of the 96's we have tasted recently, probably a bit past prime. Still some interesting characteristics. Medium garnet in color, showing just a bit of orange at the rim. Limited fruit on the nose. Was a bit thin on the palate with heavier notes of black pepper and a bit of spice box. This might have rated higher if not for tasting side by side with the Constant Claret from '95 and '97.

WCC 89 points.

I found this a bit austere and the leanest of the three vintages but nicely balanced and sufficiently focused that this was favored by some of the ladies. 

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=36390

Constant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Claret 1995

Cabernet Sauvignon 73%, Merlot 18%, Cabernet Franc 9% 

Bill's post - Deep indigo color in the glass. A bit more full bodied than I remembered. Deep flavors of dark berry...blueberry, dark cherry and raspberry, with some minerality on the finish. Not surprising, given this vintage was made in more of a Bordeaux blend style albeit a bit Cabernet heavy at (73%). Smooth integrated tannins. A nice bottle drinking at peak. Will last another couple of years but why wait?

WCC 90 points.

My notes - This is the third bottle from this vintage we've opened in recent years and this one was consistent with earlier notes from one. Dark purple color, medium to full bodied, full forward flavors of black berry and black cherry fruits with traces of anise and hints of tobacco, tea and leather on a lingering, moderate, soft tannin finish. Mid-evening tones of black pepper appeared but were short-lived.  This is holding on but is showing its age and is nearing the end of its drinking window.

RM 89 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=36373

 http://www.constantwine.com/ 


Ports - Warre's Quinta de Cavadhina 1995 and Guimaraens Vintage Port 1995

Guimaraens Vintage Port 1995

Bright dark ruby colored, full bodied, rich and chewy, concentrated and complex but nicely balanced and smooth with rich ripe black berry, black raspberry, cassis with tones of expresso coffee and hint of spice. 

RM 91 points.

From Fonseca: "In years when Fonseca does not ‘declare’ a classic vintage, it selects the finest grapes from its own vineyards to yield a small quantity of this superb wine, which is produced exactly as a declared Fonseca Vintage. Beautifully structured and perfectly balanced, Guimaraens Vintage Ports show Fonseca’s superb marriage of power and breed in a slightly lighter, earlier-maturing style."

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1918

Warre's Quinta de Cavadhina 1995

Not quite as complex and balanced with slightly more subdued fruits than the Guimaraens.
 
Dark coffee color - full bodied, a bit of an edge of sweet black fruits, layer of smokey creosote with hint of cedar and cassis and black cherry on the finish. From a half bottle.

RM 89 points. 

This was one of WINE SPECTATOR’S Top 10 Dessert Wines for 1998.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3721  

http://www.warre.com/section.php?id=777

Half Bottle Mania offers twice the tasting options

Half Bottle Mania offers twice the tasting options

Half Bottle Mania - Twice the tasting options -
Napa Cabs, Shiraz, Bordeaux, IceWine Flight

For a gala tasting with friends TRR and Don K to discuss wine collecting and cellar management planning, and purchasing strategies, I chose half bottles for a more extensive tasting. While the fun of big bottles is evident, its not as widely known or practiced that opening half size bottles offers twice the number of tasting experience options in the same setting.

Opening small format bottles this evening allowed us to taste seven different wines instead of perhaps three had we opened regular or standard size bottles. This allowed a Napa Cabernet tasting as well as a comparison against a similar vintage Bordeaux  and a Australian Shiraz, and a Ice Wine too. It also allowed a comparison of a selection of Napa Valley appellations' terrior and style - Oakville, Mt.Veeder, Howell Mtn, against a blend of those locations, and a Bordeaux blend.

As we most often do, we enjoyed these wines BYOB over dinner at our local neighborhood bistro Angeli's Italian. The big reds were spectacular with their Butternut Squash Gnochi in rich sweet brown sugar and vanilla sauce, and my favorite dish, and off-menu preparation of veal in a rich blue cheese brown sauce on angel hair pasta.

Prior to the red tasting we did an initial tasting at home of artisan cheeses with Cliff Lede Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007, then a small grilled flank steak taster against the Clark-Claudon and Larmande reds .

Anti pasta course flight:

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2007

This may be my favorite Sauvignon Blanc. A staple to keep for any wine tasting as a tasty starter, transition wine between courses, or by itself with salad, fruit and cheese or a seafood, light pasta or veggie dish.

While a bit more pricey than average, it stands up against classic Sauvignons costing twice as much. We visited Cliff Lede and did a magnificent tasting there during our Napa Wine Experience 2009.

Lemon colored, medium bodied, nicely balanced acidity, subtle oak, citrus and remarkable peach fruit flavor that turns to lemon with hints of mango, passion fruit and tangerine on the finish. Fabulous complement to lobster with a dash of lemon butter. starter. First tasted at the winery - got some at home - a staple white for the cellar. 

RM 90 points. 

 
The flight:

Clark Claudon Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

We've been collecting this Howell Mtn classic since our Napa Valley Wine Experience 1999. We have a vertical collection back to their inaugural 1993 vintage and have tasted this in Napa Cab wine flights with the same outcome as earlier Big Cab tastings - the concensus favorite of the group ...

Deep dark purple - full bodied - explosive aromas of ripe dark berry fruits, big mouth-full of forward complex but polished spicy black and edge of red berry fruits, violets, layers of mocha and oak with a long lingering tannin finish.

The 2004 Napa growing season was condensed with early bud break, warm days, cool nights and one challenging heat spike. The result was a small harvest of intense, flavor packed fruit from an unusual, but exceptional year that is showing and drinking well and should last another decade.

RM 93 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=229261


Yates Family Vineyards, Napa Redwood Estates, Aldon Perry Reserve, Napa Valley Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

This was discovered and acquired during our Napa Valley Mt Veeder Appellaton Experience 2011.

A bit of acid heat initially that soon wears off to a pleasant smooth drinking wine. Deep garnet color - full bodied bursting with complex layers of rich forward black currant, blackberry, ripe sweet black raspberry fruits, tones of cinnamon spice, anise and hints of floral, sweet oak, white pepper and tobacco leaf, finishing with moderate smooth tannins on a rich full finish.
RM 92 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1012016 

Paradigm Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

This wine was tasted and acquired during the same Napa Valley Wine Experience 1999  as the Clark Claudon above.

Fragrant, soft supple tannin, medium body, the layers of cherry and black currant fruit are being overtaken by earthy leather, licorice, and herbs, with under-currants of spice and cedar.  

RM 89 points. 

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5875

    








Robert Craig Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Robert Craig produces this blend of Napa Valley Cabernets from his various vineyard sources on Mt Veeder, Howell Mtn and Napa Valley. He also sources fruit from Mt George and Spring Mtn distict for his wines. He calls Affinity 'three mountains and a valley cabernet'. Its produced for early enjoyment but we continue to find it ages well too. We continue to hold a vertical of this wine dating back to the inaugural 1993 vintage. This wine was a highlight of the evening and was a perfect pairing with the grilled rib-eye steaks, and also went especially well with the the pre-dinner double Gloucester cheese.

Consistent with earlier tasting notes, deep dark purple inky color, huge ripe berry fruit aromatics, full body, ripe berry fruit, accented by a undercurrent of caramel with a hint of anise, tobacco and firm full tannins on the long fruit filled finish.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=323482


Château Larmande St Emilion Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 2005

Château Larmande produces about 9000 cases per year and is known for consistent quality and generally a good value. The estate is planted predominantly in Merlot covering 60% of the vineyard, with 30% Cabernet Franc and just 5% Cabernet Sauvignon making up the balance. 

The 2005 vintage was above average and produced a wine that is already approachable but should last another ten to fifteen years. Bottles are recognizable by the unique lavender colored foil.

Medium bodied, full aromas of floral perfume, moderately complex flavors of red berry and plum fruits accented by subtle spice and hints of cherry-cranberry, nice texture and smooth moderate tannins round out the finish.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=351693

www.chateau-larmande.com


D'Arenberg Dead Arm McLaren Vale Valley Shiraz 2002

Dead Arm refers to the (one armed) vines that when afflicted in the early days of the last century were spared from being turned under and emerged to produce highly concentrated fruit from the single remaining arm that survived after the loss of the other side of the vine.

Typically a big fruit forward complex wine, the 2002 was a bit more subdued and muted than its normal big forwardness but what was an off-tone of minerality. Lacking that uber ripe almost raisin-fig with a layer of cedar predominating, this still held that complex black berry fruits with tones of pepper, spice, and cassis and hint of vanilla with a big long bold finish that has a slight tone of tangy cherry.

Linda likes this ripe boldness but its a bit too much to my liking it needs to be tasted with hearty meats, even bar-b-que, or artisan cheeses, such as tonight when it complemented the beef tenderloin, marinated pork tenderloin and then the course of dark chocolate deserts.

RM 89 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=27221

Inniskillin Niagara Peninsula VQA Oak Aged Vidal Eiswein 2004

We visited this classic Ice Wine producer during our visit to the Niagara-on-the-Lake isthmus nestled between Buffalo, NY and Toronto. 

The fruit was a bit more muted and subdued than earlier tastings with it giving way to a layer of smoke and wood. Aromas of apple blossoms, apricot with hint of cinnamon-raison bread. On the palate, this beautifully rich dessert wine follows through nicely with mix of apricot, mango and a strong honeyed fig component. The overall finish has good length with tantalizing flashes of exotic fruit and spice.

RM 91 points.
 
http://www.inniskillin.com/en/ice/searchWines.asp?AppellationID=3&TypeID=Vidal

Aussie Shiraz Duo Comparison Tasting - Heathcote - Henry's Drive Reserve

Aussie Shiraz Duo Comparison Tasting - Heathcote - Henry's Drive Reserve

For a social dinner with L and friends Mark and Gayle B at Angeli's Italian, we compared two vintage Aussie Shiraz's. Heathcote Victoria Shiraz 2004 and Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz 2002.

Heathcote II, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia Shiraz 2004

I still remember discovering this wine, tasting it at the wine desk with Wine Manager Bill and Aussie buyer Bill, at Binny's GE store. I bought all they had.  

Inky/purple color, full bodied. Not quite as big and fruit forward as my memory and tasting notes reflect from earlier tastings, but big none-the-less. Huge full beautiful aromas of fruit that permeate the room upon opening. Full bodied, rich, structured, full forward flavors of graphite, blackberries, black raspberries, chewy currant, mocha and mineral. 


Earlier ratings - RM 94 RP 94 - tonight 93 points, perhaps reflecting beginning of diminution of fruit falling off due to age. Time to drink. 

 https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=309580




Henry's Drive Reserve Padthaway Shiraz 2002

Interesting contrast to the bigger, bolder, more forward Heathcote. Henry's Drive was medium bodied, it's subdued fruits moderate but nicely balanced and polished - this was preferred by the girls - my rating and notes consistent with my tasting notes from two years ago ....

Dark ink color - medium full bodied - lighter and much more subdued than my earlier tasting note record, which was six years ago. This was not the full, thick extracted fruit with huge mouth-feel fruit bomb from that review. It still has the same flavor profile of currant and blackberry, a tone of black cherry giving way to tones of tea and tobacco with a hint of smoky sweet oak and vanilla on the long lingering silky tannin finish. My '90' rating was significantly reduced from my earlier '94' back in 2005 suggesting its time to drink younger and drink remaining bottle in the near term as they are past their prime and not improving. 

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4102

Bordeaux 2003 Horizontal Tasting on the Cityscape Deck - Grilled Steak Dinner

Bordeaux 2003 Horizontal Tasting on the Cityscape Deck - Grilled Steak Dinner

Lyle and Terry hosted the end of summer gala dinner featuring No-Name steaks grilled on the open air deck for our themed horizontal tasting of 2003 vintage Bordeaux. The Bordeaux flight consisted of nine labels including two 'super-seconds', four Grand Cru Classes, eight from the Medoc left bank and one Pomerol right bank.

Against the cityscape views of Sears (aka Willis) Tower and the clock tower on the horizon, the pre course featured a broad selection of artisan cheeses, olives, and a myriad of crackers and biscuits. Highlights of the course were cold crab salad served with cracked black pepper and sea salt crackers, (and 5 others), and tasty grilled scallops served with a balsamic and soy sauce dip. 

The white flight started with vintage champagnes -  Dan's 1999 Philippe Prié Champagne Cuvée Love Flowers Brut and John's 2002 Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve, Bill's Fantesca Sonoma County Chardonnay 2008, Dan's Geyser Peak Napa Valley Chardonnay 2000, and, keeping with the 2003 Bordeaux theme, I added a Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne Sauterne 2003.

Sears aka Willis Tower
view from deck

2003 Vintage Bordeaux Horizontal Flight

Terry's terrific dinner menu:

• Steaks served with Bordelaise sauce or Gorgonzola butter with snipped chives or horseradish.
• Pans of Terry's Terrific Taters.
• Sautéed Portabello mushrooms with Bordelaise Sauce.
• Smokey asparagus with mushrooms and bacon.
• Zucchini Ribbon Salad with a lemon vinaigrette. 
• Apple and Bleu cheese Salad
• Garlic Knot rolls.

As good as the starters and dinner with their accompanying wine flights were, a highlight of the evening was the dessert course featuring a selection of Ghirardelli chocolate squares, a delicious Mandarin Orange Cake with whipped cream, Terri's grand decadent Cherry Chocolate Fudge Cake with fresh raspberries, all accompanied by two spectacular wines, John's Cayuse Vineyards Walla Walla Valley Cailloux Vineyard Shiraz 2007 and finishing with Lyle's Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port 1991. 


The Wines:

Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve Champagne Vintage 2002

John brought this limited release vintage Cuvee Reserve Champagne from Pol Roger.

Silvery and golden yellow straw-like colour, silky smooth, crisp bright and full of intensity, a nose of fresh honey, candied citrus grapefruit and lime - full and long fresh clean texture, harmonious and balanced.

Blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

Aged for nine years before release.

We saw Pol Roger Winery in Epernay during our Champagne Wine Experience 2006.



Philippe Prié Champagne Cuvée Love Flowers Brut 1999

Dan brought this vintage 1999 special bottling Champagne from the Côte des Blancs, two hours south of Epernay on the Côte Des Bar where the plains of Champagne transition to the rolling slopes of Burgundy. 

Golden brownish weak tea colored, complex, full flavored, forward pallet and long finish slightly smokey roasted nut, baked apples and pears, pineapple, dried fruit and citrus. 

50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1520686

Château Bastor-Lamontagne Sauterne 2003

In keeping with the 2003 Bordeaux horizontal theme for fun but not for comparison tasting, this Sauterne provided a nice transition from the Champagne course to the Chardonnays, although many would've preferred waiting till the after dinner course. To me, there is always time for a 'sticky', this was great with the artisan cheeses, olives and of course the grilled scallops.

Its 50 hectares of vineyards border those of Château Suduiraut and are planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. Medium to full-bodied and packed with lusciously sweet, honeyed fruit, Bastor Lamontagne can be drunk young, though develops further complexity with 5-10 years of cellaring.

Its always fun to watch these sweets darken in colour with age, starting from straw to lemon or butter color, to honey colored to weak tea and over time eventually turning to cola colour if you and they live or last that long.

This ten year old was honey colored, medium to full bodied, rich unctuous full flavors of sweet peach, hint of apricot, citrus, grapefruit and ripe sweet pear on the finish.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=19434

http://www.bastor-lamontagne.com/en/index3.html

Fantesca Sonoma County Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2008

Fantesca is featured regularly in this blog but usually for their estate bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon. Tonight, Bill brought their notable Sonoma County Russian River Valley Chardonnay, the first such wine produced by legendary consulting winemaker Heidi Barrett. Bill and I tasted this selection during one of our visits to the fantastic Fantesca Estate, this time during our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2008. It was acquired through the Fantesca wine club.

Bill's notes from Cellartracker - "Golden straw color in the glass. Some oak on the nose belies the abundance of citrus and butter on the palate. Exceptionally well balanced with a hint of vanilla. Our favorite chardonnay."

WCC - 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=676907

Bill is a big fan of this Burgundian style California chardonnay. Bottled in the traditional Fantesca packaging with its stylish etched bottle and featuring one of their novel 'fortune corkies', this one quoting Mae West, "When woman go wrong, men go right after them." (Right)


http://www.fantesca.com



Dan brought another Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

Geyser Peak Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2000

The Bordeaux Flight:

Château  Le Gay Pomerol 2003

Eric brought this sole representative of left bank Bordeaux from a property situated between prestigious Petrus and Lafleur. He sourced this at Kahn's Fine Wines in Indy. This was one of the favorites of the evening, starting the flight lineup with its smooth soft easy drinking high achiever.

Deep ruby purple color, medium to full bodied, full aromatic bouquet of blue and black berry fruits accented with nicely balanced, concentrated smooth polished fruit flavors with hints of anise, soft sweet spice with a lingering moderate tannin finish.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=117117

http://www.chateau-legay.com/




Château Grand Vin Leoville Las Cases St Julien 2003

Ernie and I teamed up to offer this mini vertical tasting - he brought this '03 to fill out the horizontal and I brought the '93 below. This 'super-second' (growth) is one of my favorite Bordeaux wines with its classic label depicting the gates to the expansive vineyards that sit adjacent to classic first growth Chateau Latour in neighboring Pauillac.    

At ten years of age, we probably drank this bruiser ten or even twenty years too early but it showed very well and was quite approachable and expressive none-the-less. 

Bright ruby colored, full bodied, big, aromatic vibrant flavors of ripe berries, ripe cherry, anise, spice, hints of vanilla and smooth sweet oak on a full lingering moderately firm tannin finish.
RM 93 points. Wine Spectator rated this wine 97 points, RP 93 points.    

 (13.2% alcohol) A blend of 70.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.2% Merlot, and 12.6% Cabernet Franc.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=19041


Château Grand Vin Leoville Las Cases St Julien 1993 

This is the last bottle of my case of 93 and I realize I drank much of it too soon. And we drank this bottle too early (after opening) as it was still a bit closed and subdued this evening. The following evening, it burst with full aromas and flavors of floral, black fruits, dark spicy mocha, cassis and earthy leather. Dense, medium to full-bodied, dark inky purple colored, nicely balance and concentrated  with smooth polished lingering tannins.

RM 92 points. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 90 points
.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5151


Château La Grange Grand Cru Classe St Julien 2003

Dan and I each brought this wine which showed bigger, more full, nicely balanced, smoother and more polished than I expected, one of the best LaGrange I have tasted.

Medium to full bodied, dark inky purple colored, aromas and flavors of black berry, black cherry, violet floral with hints of coffee bean, mocha, tobacco and earth with soft smooth lingering tannins.

RM 91 points.

From a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.

https://www.cellartracker.com/editnote.asp?iWine=18816



Château Smith Haut Lafitte Grand Cru Classe Pessac Leognan 2003

From Lyle's cellar this full bodied, dark garnet colored, this was full bodied, a bit tight and firm with black berry and black currant fruits, lead pencil, licorice, cigar box, herbs and cedar. This comes across with a bit of a woody almost slight green grassy taste that I can't get over. This was consistent with my other tastings and other vintages of this wine. My experience isn't consistent with others' tastings and ratings.

RM 88 points.

This was rated 93 points by Wine Spectator and Ranked #58 in their Top 100 Wines of 2006. Robert Parker gave it 92 points.

Blend of  55 % Cabernet Sauvignon,  30 % Merlot, 13 % Cabernet Franc, and 2 % Petit Verdot.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=17964




Château Haut Batailley Grand Cru Classe Paulliac 2003

From the same owners as Grand Puy Lacoste, this property is a source for classic Pauillac at a reasonable price. This was an stand-out easy drinking high achiever for the evening.

Bill brought this one - his tasting post:

Deep garnet color. Moss, mushroom and some dark fruit on the nose initially, giving way to sort of a metallic, terroir based aroma. Currant, plum and dark berry on the palate with a bit of oak. Well balanced with integrated tannins. This is drinking very well right now. Will certainly last 10 more years but why wait? Don't believe it will get much better.
WCC 89 points. 

My notes - Medium - full bodied, vibrant and expressive blackberry and currant fruit with a layer of cedar and spicy oak.

RM 89 points. 

Blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=61279


Château Pibran Pauillac Cru Bourgeois 2003

Another selection from Lyle's cellar, one of the few Cru Bourgeois in the commune of Pauillac. Despite the low level of les Bourgeois, this provides a pleasant easy drinking glass of Bordeaux. 

Medium bodied with aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum, hints of tobacco, cedar, and black olives with a bit of heat on the lingering moderate tannin finish.

RM 87 points

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=117111


Château Pontet Canet Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 2003

From Ernie's cellar, another consistently highly rated long lived Bordeaux from a vineyard on the plateau of Pauillac across the road from classic first growth Mouton-Rothschild. This is a classic Pauillac-styled wine and one of the highest rated of the vintage. This long lived brute was surprisingly approachable at ten years, moreso than other near vintages, and should continue to be at its prime for another decade or even two.

Dark inky purple, full-bodied, dense and concentrated with layers of complex fruits - black currant, black berry and black raspberry with a layer of cassis, smoke, cigar box and toasty oak on a firm but approachable lingering tannin finish.
RM 92 points.

Parker gave this 95 points while Wine Spectator rated it # 39 in its Top 100 Wines of 2006 with 93 points.


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=18549


Les Pagodas de Cos St Estephe 2003

Bill brought this second wine of notable Cos d' Estournel. His notes:

Inky, opaque, deep purple color. Dark fruit and pencil lead on the nose. Blackberry, leather, herbs and a bit of cola on the palate. Certainly representative of St. Estephe and the Cos d'Estournel heritage is evident albeit a lighter weight version. Nothing earth shaking here but a really nice, drinkable Bordeaux showing well now.
WCC 88 points.

My post - Full floral violets, earthy black cherry, black raspberry with hint of leather and pencil graphite. 
RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=61280


John brought these two wines from the Washington State in the US Pacific Northwest, a Bordeaux style red blend and a classic Syrah:

Côte de Bonneville Debrul Vineyard Estate Bottled Yakima Valley Red Wine Blend 2006

In the left bank Bordeaux style, this is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot, all sourced from the estate’s DuBrul Vineyard.

Dark ruby colored, medium bodied, it fit the profile of the left bank Bordeaux although it was lighter and less structured than I might have expected, perhaps suffering to the inevitable palate fatigue of the end of the long flight.

Aromas and flavors of black cherry and black currant with subdued tones of cassis, mocha and spice with muted earthy leather on a moderate tannin finish.
RM 90 points. WS gave it 95, WE 94pts and WA 91.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=966699








Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2007

Pity the folks that considered this a wine to be part of the dinner flight, this was suited for the dark chocolate desserts and more. A perfect set up to the Vintage Port. Pairing this up against the Bordeaux is like bringing a gun to a knife fight. John offered up this classic Washington State Syrah from his cellar. What  a treat. This was Linda's favorite.

Cayuse is the work of Frenchman Christophe Baron who grew up  near the village of Charly-sur-Marne in the Champagne region of France, the youngest of the centuries-old Champagne house, Baron Albert, his ancestors had worked the land since 1677.

After studying viticulture in Champagne and Burgundy, Christophe set off for America, landing in the Pacific Northwest the region similar to Burgundy and suitable for his beloved Pinot Noir. While visiting Walla Walla near the Oregon/Washington border, he came across an open field littered with acres of softball-sized stones. The terroir reminded him of the cobblestones of the southern Rhone valley and Châteuneuf-du-Pape.

Christophe purchased the property and planted his first vineyard in 1997. He called the venture Cayuse Vineyards, after a Native American tribe whose name was derived from the French word “cailloux” which means “stones.” Today there are seven vineyards, soon to be eight, encompassing more than 55 acres. Cayuse produces classic Syrah based big rich powerful wines under a dozen iconic labels. 

This Cailloux Vineyard Syrah was full bodied, rich, concentrated, complex and powerful, an array of aromatic floral, dark chocolate and licorice, leading to thick chewy dark berries before turning to a layer of tar and black pepper on a firm lingering finish.
RM 94 points. 

Harvey Steiman of Wine Spectator and David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate gave this 95 points while Jay Miller gave it 97 points.
 
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=570925

http://www.cayusevineyards.com

Fonseca Guillarmaens Vintage Port 1991

Lyle's selection, the 1991 Guimaraens was considered one of the best of vintage.

Medium - full bodied, opaque purple color, smooth, polished, supple, rich with sweet forward full aromas and flavors of blackberry with layers of cassis, licorice, a hint of dark mocha and flowers. This was was silky smooth, pleasant and amazingly easy to drink - even for those that are not port lovers who otherwise consider it 'over the top'. This must be at its apex now - at the prime of its drinking window.

This was a perfect complement to the dark chocolate desserts.
RM 93 points. Robert Parker Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=20049






More pictures of the deck crew on a beautiful clear late summer evening on the deck ...

FIRE!

The beef!!