WTN: Mixed Bag

[Carema]

What began as a tedious financial meeting ended turning into a tasting fest that just got better. Posters Auxerrois and Klinger75 were in on most of this action:

(in the shop)

Neyers Chardonnay 2001 Napa

Always consistent. Buttered popcorn and roasted corn round out ripe apple fruit. For this style Neyers has it in the bag IMO.

Dutschke "Willow Blend" 1998 Barossa Valley Australia

(Merlot-Shiraz-Cab)

Tons of french and American oak cause a somewhat flashy vanillan nose. Fruit inside was soft and approchable. A little like Welch's grape jelly. Not a stunner but certainly pleasant.

Angelini Vino Nobile di Montepulicano 1997 'Simposio"

A really gorgeous bottle of wine. Stunning acid and classic cherry leather/violets. Loads of texture and complexity. This is 32 dollars well spent.

At the restaurant (the big boys came to play, and the cellaring was supposedly very consistent)

Perrier Jouet Flower Bottle 1989 Vintage

Yeasty as hell, with sourdough and slightly rotting apples. The bubbles were langorous at best. We were divided upon how to judge this wine. I guess I like a tired out bubble now and again. Perhaps it was sleepy.

L Latour Montrachet 1990

Excited to sample; disappointed once in the mouth. Nose was as expected, golden and hazlenutty with a hint of oxygen; ultimately this particular sample of this wine has not held up. It was fat and blousey with a lot of eggy notes (omlettes, egg whites, custard all were talked about). The finish was strong.

Domaine de la Charriere "Cuvee du Paradis" Jasnieres 2000

Not too many familiar with this north of Vouvray Chenin Blanc AOC in the Loire. very modern, it reminded us half of new Zealand and half vouvray. Very alive with crisp green apples,and biscuity hints. Went great with serrano ham.

Duckhorn Vineyards 1995 "Howell Mountain" Cabernet Sauvignon

Ripe red fruits (surprise surprise- currant & rainier cherry)

The thing I loved about this one was although the alcohol was high, the aromatic texture was intoxicating. There were elements of cassis syrup and gentle tannins. We had this with meat.

Lynches Bages 1975

Not a stunning example, from its leady nose, thin palate and meaty confusing finish. I know this is not a phenomenol vintage but I think this was off.

Mauro Priorat 1996

(there was some discussion regarding the cepage, a few felt as though there was some tempranillo)

A really nice sweeping nose of saddle leather & tobacco glides into deep plum and raspberry fruit.

Amy was just smiling and Doug said "Rippin' bottle"

Then the cat fur discussion came, but I had not smelled a cat lately. Apparently Auxerrois had although I thought he was allergic...

Silver Oak Alex Valley 1999

Green pepper, dill pickle and dark dark astringent fruit.

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard Hillside Select Shiraz 1998 McClaren Vale, Australia

Good to leave a wine like this for last because it is the about the only thing we could taste. (Bear in mind there were a lot of people). Shy and reticent at first, after about 45 minutes this wine exploded, a glycerol fruit bomb with mint and black bramble galore. It was a good dessert.

The next day was a little rough.....................

[Auxerrois]

Maybe just rough for you Carema.

As a participant of the mixed bag of fun I just want to make some additional comments on the wine involved.

The Angelini Vino Nobile was stunning. I had tasted this vintage one before and it is still the style all Vino Nobiles should be striving for, move over Poliziano Asinone. Ellegent but ripe beautifully balanced acid alcohol and tannin, a complete package.

The Perrier Jouet was complex, but as a Krug fan I feel I know how Great Champagne should age, this one was more than ready to be drunk.

The Jasnieres was a rock star! The mineral quince and pear of great Chenin, with the funky verve of a New Zealand Sauv Blanc. A total mouthful, it knocked over any app. we through at it not till it harmonized with serrano ham and some slightly underripe melon.

Latour Montrachet 1990, the most curious to my palate. By it's nose I thought it was oxidezed and over the hill, the beautiful hazelnut and minerals was giving way to the same gout the Champagne faced. But on the palate it was surprising, it still had some life left. The last fleeting notes of tropical fruit still danced over its lush mid, but the shear minerality of the finish, which would of been beutiful if not for the ominous note of lemon-curd and custard. On the bright side it still gained speed with the sweetbreads.

The Duckhorn was actually the 95 howell mtn Merlot, not Cab. But Caremas tasting notes are complete. If only it had some more depth and power like it's Cab brother. It deffinately did not taste like Merlot, must be to cold up there.

I had a weird feeling that there might be some temperature abuse in the case of the Lynch Bages. All the classic notes of graphite, lead pencil and minerals were there but everyone thought it should have had a little more stuffing. I personally have some English friends who would of gone nuts, and it was still arguably better than a lot of older Bordeaux I've had.

Mauro Piorat

Absolutely stunning. There's know way I thought there was tempranillo in there. Mouth filling and bold with an intergrated flavor only a couple years in the bottle can give. The bold fruit was tempered with subtle but compeling nuances of leather, dust, meat, and cat fur. Yes Carema I am allergic but thats why I pick it up so well. My suspected Cepage is: Old vine Grenache, Cab, Carignane.

The Kay for the finish was great dessert. Who needs port when you have super ripe Shiraz. Big beasty brambles mint and leather with a note of pepper, all super sized.

Thank you to all involved for a wonderful evening. By the way did we mention this beautiful dinner was done outside in perfect weather, out of Bordeaux Riedels in a side walk cafe.

Cheers

[Carema]

The Duckhorn was actually the 95 howell mtn Merlot, not Cab.  But Caremas tasting notes are complete.  If only it had some more depth and power like it's Cab brother.  It deffinately did not taste like Merlot, must be to cold up there.

Carema, the only person taking notes did not see that that was merlot. That was so not like a Merlot. Phew!!!!!!!

And we have some issues arising on whether or not the Mauro was a Priorat (I thought that is what klinger told us) will edit if need beee

ciao...........

[Auxerrois]

I just looked up Mauro, old vine Grenache and Tempranillo from Castile y Leon.

Guess everyones wrong sometime.

[Carema]

Thank you to all involved for a wonderful evening.  By the way did we mention this beautiful dinner was done outside in perfect weather, out of Bordeaux Riedels in a side walk cafe.

Cheers

I do know the glasses were in fact Spiegelau. The champagne flutes were Riedel.