Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009

 Straw colored, light, crisp, clean with balanced acid - flavors of green apples and floral with a nice tangy finish.
RM 89 points.
 
 Tasted w/ L, Johnny & Erin, Alec, Bill & Beth C. at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Chicago  with great service from Jared G.
Perfect complement to the sushi, calamari and seafood entrees.


http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=878604

Also tasted:

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Medium full bodied - nicely balanced and polished - complex forward ripe fruit - black cherry, black raspberry with an undercurrent of licorice, kirsch and clove and a hint of floral on a long full flavorful moderate tannin finish.
RM 90 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=836866 

Tasted w/ L, Johnny & Erin, Alec, Bill & Beth C. at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Chicago with great service from Jared G. This was a great compliment to Roy's pork shank with pear, cheese and bourbon sauce. 

Also tasted:

Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and 

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Medium-full  bodied - surprisingly smooth, polished and well balanced - essence of blackberry gives way to a layer of smooth clove and vanilla with a touch of anise on the lingering moderate tannin finish.
RM 88 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=786634 


Tasted w/ L, Johnny & Erin, Alec, Bill & Beth C. at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Chicago  with great service from Jared G. This was a offered by the glass and was a great compliment to the steak and pork chops and the chocolate lava cake souffle desert.

Also tasted:



Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 

Straw colored, light, crisp, clean with balanced acid - flavors of green apples and floral with a nice tangy finish.
RM 89 points.


http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=878604

Perfect complement to the sushi, calamari and seafood entrees.


Also tasted:

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Medium full bodied - nicely balanced and polished - complex forward ripe fruit - black cherry, black raspberry with an undercurrent of licorice, kirsch and clove and a hint of floral on a long full flavorful moderate tannin finish.
RM 90 points.

This was a great compliment to Roy's pork shank with pear, cheese and bourbon sauce. 

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=836866

 Achával Ferrer Mendoza Malbec 2009 at Trump Tower Terrace Chicago

Dark purple color - medium-full bodied - nicely balanced and somewhat complex - blackberry and black raspberry fruits are laced with a graphite, leather and mineral structure that grips throughout the long lingering moderate tannin finish. Pleasant easy drinking wine that is sufficiently complex for food. 
One of  Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines for 2010. 91 points from the Wine Spectator:

RM 89 points.

Tasted at the Terrace Bar on Sixteen at Trump Tower, Chicago. Make sure you come for the view and pick a good day and time since you'll pay for a bottle in the single by-the-glass price. Not bad when tasting a high/over achiever such as this one.




Views from Trump Tower terrace.

Trump Tower Chicago Terrace Bar on Sixteen

Chicago Cityscape looking southeast from
Trump Tower Terrace

Chicago River and Lake view from
Trump Tower Terrace Bar

Iconic Tribune Tower and Wrigley Buildings
from Trump Tower Terrace Bar

Owen Roe Abbot's Table Washington State Columbia Valley Red Wine 2007

Owen Roe Abbot's Table Washington State Columbia Valley Red Wine 2007

Dark inky color - full bodied - big bold complex so forward as to be almost overpowering, overly ripe black fruits, almost raisiny with a layer of tar with a subtle tone of chocolate trying to break out - a bit awkward - not for the feint of heart - needs big food to stand up with. From a producer with a sense of humor given some of his other outrageous wines/labels such as Sinister Hand.... 

RM 86 points.

Took to Bob & Gloria's for dinner. Wife Linda liked it.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=541531

David Arthur Napa Valley Atlas Peak Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

David Arthur Napa Valley Atlas Peak Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Deep dark garnet color, full bodied - spicy, vibrant forward dark berry throughout, slight earthy layer currants, cola berry, tobacco and hint of cedar. Slight hot alcohol on opening bleeds off after an hour or so. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petite Verdot, and 3% Merlot. From vineyards 1200 feet high in the Vaca Range above the eastern slope of Napa Valley. 

RM 92 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=85664

Atlas Peak Pritchard Hill vineyards (left) from our 2009 Napa Valley Wine Experience. Tasted at home w/ L, Sherry ZM and Alex - great complement to grilled tenderloin, sauteed green beans, roasted corn, and finale of dark chocolate cake and fresh berries.