Yates Family Vineyards 'Cheval' Mt. Veeder Cabernet Franc 2007
Wine obtained at the Yates Family property during our Mt Veeder Appellation visit.
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.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
75 (Seventy Five) Wine Company Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
75 (Seventy Five) Wine Company Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Reasonable value in a moderately priced California cab. Dark garnet purple color - medium-full bodied - not overly complex but pleasant full flavored easy drinking - good complement to grilled steak, grill-charred veggies and crescent rolls - flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits with a hint of smoke, cassis and leather on a moderate tannin finish. From Beckstoffer's Amber Knolls vineyard up over the Napa Howell Mountain ridge-line in Red Hills, Lake County. Also recently picked up some Schrader Double Diamond cabernet sauvignon with fruit sourced from the same vineyard from same era. Should be interesting comparison - stay tuned.
RM 88 points.
http://cellartracker.com/w?358922
Reasonable value in a moderately priced California cab. Dark garnet purple color - medium-full bodied - not overly complex but pleasant full flavored easy drinking - good complement to grilled steak, grill-charred veggies and crescent rolls - flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits with a hint of smoke, cassis and leather on a moderate tannin finish. From Beckstoffer's Amber Knolls vineyard up over the Napa Howell Mountain ridge-line in Red Hills, Lake County. Also recently picked up some Schrader Double Diamond cabernet sauvignon with fruit sourced from the same vineyard from same era. Should be interesting comparison - stay tuned.
RM 88 points.
http://cellartracker.com/w?358922
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Schrader Double Diamond Mayacamas Range Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Schrader Double Diamond Mayacamas Range Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Medium bodied - dark berry fruits, blackberry, black raspberry and currant with hints of mocha and cassis with a subdued spicy, moderate tannin lingering finish.
RM 88 points.
Medium bodied - dark berry fruits, blackberry, black raspberry and currant with hints of mocha and cassis with a subdued spicy, moderate tannin lingering finish.
RM 88 points.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Horizontal Tasting - 2004 Bordeaux Alongside Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Horizontal Tasting - 2004 Bordeaux Alongside Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Comparison tasting of 2004 'horizontal' - wines from the same vintage - Bordeaux and Silver Oak Alexander Valley reveals a study in terroir, styles and aging profiles. Wines tasted are below, shown in tasting order based on anticipated weight and complexity which proved to be appropriate:
The Giscours, Leoville Barton, and Silver Oak were poured from magnums and decanted three to fours hours earlier.
The highlights of the evening for me were the Leoville Barton and the Silver Oak which were both bright, complex, smooth, polished and flavorful indicating peak readiness to drink in their seventh year despite very different styles and tasting profiles. Not surprising, contrasting the Leoville Barton was the Clerc Milon which while balanced and full was still a bit closed and tight revealing a longer aging profile needing more time to open and fully reveal itself. The Giscours was next in my rankings followed by the d'Armailhac.
Chateau Leoville Barton Cru Classe St Julien Bordeaux 2004
Consistent producer of high quality good value ageworthy Bordeaux.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Surprisingly complex but refined and polished with layers of black berry fruits accented by cola, almond, nutmeg, sweet soft oak with layers of spice and vanilla on a long aromatic silky tannnin finish.
RM 90 points.
Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac 2004
Second label of revered first growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Complex, firm with rather subdued black fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black currant with hint of cassis, touch of leather and earth. Still a bit closed suggesting need for more time to open and reveal itself.
RM 89 points.
Chateau Giscours Grand Cru Classe Marqaux 2004
Medium-full bodied, complex, dark berry and black cherry fruits with tone of slightly tart cherry and hint of raspberry, cassis, spice, tones of leather and pencil lead on the medium finish.
RM 88 points.
d'Armailhac Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 2004
Third label of esteemed Chateau Mouton Rothschild, behind second label Clerc Milon. Medium-full bodied, less complex and lacking the polish and integration of the others, a bit flabby but forward black berry and black cherry fruit flavors with a layer of mocha, cedar, and hint of camphor on a slightly firm spicy and acidic finish.
RM 87 points.
Tasted with medley of artisan cheeses and over dinner of mixed green salad, beef tenderloin, twice baked potatoes and green beans. Dinner hosted at Bill and Beth C's with Dan & Linda, Bob & Gloria, and L. Chocolate cake and berries to finish commemorating my birthday!
Terroir - from Wikipedia - Terroir comes from the word terre "land". It was originally a French term used to denote the special characteristics that the geography, geology and climate of a certain place bestowed upon particular varieties. Agricultural sites in the same region share similar soil, weather conditions, and farming techniques, which all contribute to the unique qualities of the crop. It can be very loosely translated as "a sense of place," which is embodied in certain characteristic qualities, the sum of the effects that the local environment has had on the production of the product. Terroir is often italicized in English writing to show that it is a French loanword. The concept of terroir is at the base of the French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system that has been the model for appellation and wine laws across the globe. At its core is the assumption that the land from which the grapes are grown imparts a unique quality that is specific to that region.
Comparison tasting of 2004 'horizontal' - wines from the same vintage - Bordeaux and Silver Oak Alexander Valley reveals a study in terroir, styles and aging profiles. Wines tasted are below, shown in tasting order based on anticipated weight and complexity which proved to be appropriate:
- Chateau Giscours Grand Cru Classe Marqaux 2004
- Chateau Leoville Barton St Julien 2004
- Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac 2004
- d'Armailhac Grand cru Classe Pauillac 2004
- Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
The Giscours, Leoville Barton, and Silver Oak were poured from magnums and decanted three to fours hours earlier.
The highlights of the evening for me were the Leoville Barton and the Silver Oak which were both bright, complex, smooth, polished and flavorful indicating peak readiness to drink in their seventh year despite very different styles and tasting profiles. Not surprising, contrasting the Leoville Barton was the Clerc Milon which while balanced and full was still a bit closed and tight revealing a longer aging profile needing more time to open and fully reveal itself. The Giscours was next in my rankings followed by the d'Armailhac.
Chateau Leoville Barton Cru Classe St Julien Bordeaux 2004
Consistent producer of high quality good value ageworthy Bordeaux.
Bright floral notes, nicely balanced layers of black raspberry, black cherry, hints of leather and touch of smoke. Full bodied intense flavors yet delicate, polished and a silky fine tannin finish.
RM 91 points.
RM 91 points.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Surprisingly complex but refined and polished with layers of black berry fruits accented by cola, almond, nutmeg, sweet soft oak with layers of spice and vanilla on a long aromatic silky tannnin finish.
RM 90 points.
Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac 2004
Second label of revered first growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Complex, firm with rather subdued black fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black currant with hint of cassis, touch of leather and earth. Still a bit closed suggesting need for more time to open and reveal itself.
RM 89 points.
Chateau Giscours Grand Cru Classe Marqaux 2004
Medium-full bodied, complex, dark berry and black cherry fruits with tone of slightly tart cherry and hint of raspberry, cassis, spice, tones of leather and pencil lead on the medium finish.
RM 88 points.
d'Armailhac Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 2004
Third label of esteemed Chateau Mouton Rothschild, behind second label Clerc Milon. Medium-full bodied, less complex and lacking the polish and integration of the others, a bit flabby but forward black berry and black cherry fruit flavors with a layer of mocha, cedar, and hint of camphor on a slightly firm spicy and acidic finish.
RM 87 points.
Tasted with medley of artisan cheeses and over dinner of mixed green salad, beef tenderloin, twice baked potatoes and green beans. Dinner hosted at Bill and Beth C's with Dan & Linda, Bob & Gloria, and L. Chocolate cake and berries to finish commemorating my birthday!
Terroir - from Wikipedia - Terroir comes from the word terre "land". It was originally a French term used to denote the special characteristics that the geography, geology and climate of a certain place bestowed upon particular varieties. Agricultural sites in the same region share similar soil, weather conditions, and farming techniques, which all contribute to the unique qualities of the crop. It can be very loosely translated as "a sense of place," which is embodied in certain characteristic qualities, the sum of the effects that the local environment has had on the production of the product. Terroir is often italicized in English writing to show that it is a French loanword. The concept of terroir is at the base of the French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system that has been the model for appellation and wine laws across the globe. At its core is the assumption that the land from which the grapes are grown imparts a unique quality that is specific to that region.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Elizabeth Spencer Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Special Cuvée 2007
Elizabeth Spencer Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Special Cuvée 2007
Hot - high alcohol taste - almost as if fortified w/ cognac - overpowering the black cherry fruits, with layer of mocha and spice. Tasted by the glass at 'fyve' (ala five as in Pentagon) at Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, Arlington - perhaps open too long? Or kept too warm?
RM 87 Points.
RM 87 Points.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Château Larmande St. Émilion Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 2005
Château Larmande St. Émilion Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 2005
A reliable producer that provides consistent value year after year - especially so in the highly rated 2005 vintage. My best of tasting pick from an earlier Bordeaux flight tasting. Medium bodied, floral perfume, flavorful red berry, plum fruits, subtle spice, cherry-cranberry, nice texture and an appealing moderately firm grip of tannin in the finish.
RM 91 points.
A reliable producer that provides consistent value year after year - especially so in the highly rated 2005 vintage. My best of tasting pick from an earlier Bordeaux flight tasting. Medium bodied, floral perfume, flavorful red berry, plum fruits, subtle spice, cherry-cranberry, nice texture and an appealing moderately firm grip of tannin in the finish.
RM 91 points.
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