| | Some CellarTracker forum members decided to gather for a few days in San Antonio, TX to share some wine and good times. The first evening started and TexasWineGeeks (Billy & Teddy) place before heading out to a local restaurant. We then wrapped up the 9 hour tasting on the patio at the Courtyard by Marriot blowing down a few puros.
Now onto the show... Round one was at Billy and Teddy's place. Most of us gathered around 4PM to help them setup. "Setup" consisted of plowing our way through 17 wines before we headed to the restaurant for dinner. Some setup! - 2008 Darioush Viognier - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML90
Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of grapefruit, pineapple and orange. Flavors of dried pineapple and a hint of cherry. Medium acidity and body. Drink over the shorter term. (90 pts.)
- 2004 Agricola Punica Barrua - Italy, Sardinia, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT
WIML91
Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of black licorice, a bit of dried herbs, a bit of white pepper and some fresh berries. Flavors of berries and cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Drink now with some air or continue to hold. (91 pts.)
- 2005 Antinori Tignanello - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
WIML91-92
Allowed to slow-O about 10 hours. Garnet color in glass, pretty hue. Nose of leather, plums and berries. Flavors of berries, cherries and licorice. Bright acidity, firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with some air or continue to hold. (91 pts.)
- 2007 Castleman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
WIML89
82% 2007 Tokalon Cabernet, 2% 2008 Tokalon Cabernet, 10% Petite Verdot, 6% Malbec. Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear throughout. Slightly closed nose at the moment giving way to notes of dark cherries, violets and plums. Flavors of black cherries, black berries, blueberries and plums. Medium to bright acidity, firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink now with some air or hold for a year before trying again. Good first effort. (89 pts.)
- 2005 Bodegas Mauro Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León Mauro - Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León
WIML88?
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, berries and plums. Light flavors of berries and plums. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now. (88 pts.)
- 2005 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
WIML90+
Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of licorice, plums, cassis and perfume. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and plum. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink now with some air or continue to hold. (90 pts.)
- 2000 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
WIML91-92
Allowed to slow-O about 10 hours before serving. Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear throughout. Nose of dust, berries and a hint of smoke. Flavors of berries and cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins and body. Drink now with some air or continue to hold. I prefer my Barolo much older so I'd old. (92 pts.)
- 2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
WIML90+
Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cinnamon, black berries and black cherries. Flavors of black berries and black cherries. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
- 2007 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio - Spain, Murcia, Jumilla
WIML91-92?
Purple color in the glass. clear hue throughout. Nose of dark chocolate, smoke, currants and plums. Flavors of currants, plums and Bing cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Hold. A bit better the next day. (92 pts.)
- 2000 Château Langoa Barton - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
WIML91+
Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, cocoa, plum and a hint of Briar patch. Flavors of black cheries, black berries and a bit of raspberry. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium to full bodied. I'd normally recommend holding but it sure is drinking surprisingly well right now. (91 pts.)
- 2003 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor - Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
WIML85-?
Tasted double blind. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose was a bit greenish with some added notes of berries. Fairly green on the palate as well with a bit of berries. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now. My guess was a California Merlot. (85 pts.)
- 2001 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Ca' Florian - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
WIMLNR
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, fairly clear hue. Unfortunately we stop here. This bottle is corked. (FLAWED)
- 1998 Château Mouton Rothschild - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
WIMLNR
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of barnyard, leather and a bit of mixed dark fruit. Flavors of plums, cassis and berries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now in my very humble opinion. I seriously doubt this wine is going anywhere. No rating on the off chance the bottle was off.
- 2003 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
WIML90+?
Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose starts with a little leather followed by notes of berries, a bit of perfume and talc. Flavors of berries and cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Hold? Perhaps it'll improve with more time? (90 pts.)
- 2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
WIML93-95?
Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of flowers, berries, plums and a bit of currants. Rich and juicy flavors of berries, plums and light notes of blueberries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. I know we killed a baby here but man is this drinking so well right now. Quite the surprise. If you want to open one right now for the pure hedonistic pleasure it'll bring. Otherwise, hold. Hold a long time. (93 pts.)
- 2006 Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML90+?
Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear. Nose of currants, plums and black cherries. Flavors of plums, currants and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
- 2004 Del Dotto Pinot Noir Cinghiale Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross - Seaview
WIML90?
Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty. Nose of briar patch, berries and cherries. Flavors of berries, cherries and a hint of balsamic. Light to medium acidity and tannins, medium body. Drink or hold. I'd drink. (90 pts.)
Round two was at a local restaurant. I'll refrain from naming the restaurant since the State of Texas can be quite anal about BYOB issues. - 1999 Gosset Champagne Brut Grand Millésime - France, Champagne
WIML92+
Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with fine and steady beading. Nose of yeast, light sherry notes and some yellow pear. Flavors of yellow pears and tangy apples. Bright acidity, medium to firm tannins. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
- N.V. Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve - France, Champagne
WIML91? 92?
Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with fine and steady beading. Nose of pears, apples and a bit of bread. Flavors of yellow apples, yellow pears and a bit of cherry. Bright acidity, medium body. No note on disgorgement but seemed to be a fairly new release based on profile. (91 pts.)
- 1994 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington
WIML93+/-?
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Lovely nose of perfume, cassis, plums and a little dust. Flavors of berries and plums. Finish seemed a bit clipped which I thought odd at the time. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium body. Nose was an A to A+, palate was closer to an A- so we'll split the difference. Drink or hold. (93 pts.)
- 2000 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington
WIML91?
Opened and decanted for about 4 hours before double decanting back into the bottle for transport to the restaurant. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of perfume, cassis and a bit of tobacco. Flavors of currants, plums and licorice. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now with some air or continue to hold into the medium term. (91 pts.)
- 1998 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington
WIML91-92
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass. slightly cloudy looking Nose is still a little tight giving way to aromas of herbs, currants and raspberries. Solid flavors of berries and currants with a bit each of raspberries and plums. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
- 2002 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington
WIML92-93
Decanted for 4 hours before double decanting back into the bottle for transport to the restaurant. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. BIG wine with a huge nose of coffee, chocolate, smoke, currants, soapstone and plums. Flavors of currants, black cherries, berries and plums. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied for sure. Drink now with plenty of air or continue to hold. (92 pts.)
- 1982 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML95
13.4% alcohol. Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Cabernet Franc 30%, Merlot 20%. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear hue. Nose of ash, tobacco, berries, florals and a base of wet stones. Flavors of berries and cherries framed over a base of minerals. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Lovely wine. I'd put this into an 82 Bordeaux blind tasting and defy you to pick it out. (95 pts.)
- 1992 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML92
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of rose petals, berries, wet stones, plums and a little cassis. Flavors of plums, berries, a bit of cherries and minerals. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
- 1993 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML92
Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of tobacco, potpourri, currants, plums and a hint of roasted meat. Flavors of plums, berries and cherries. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
- 1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML93
Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of tobacco, white pepper, currants, plums and melted black licorice. Flavors of plums, currants and berries. Medium to bright acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold. (93 pts.)
- 1989 Château Sociando-Mallet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
WIML92-93
Dark garnet color in the glass, very pretty hue and quite youthful looking. Nose of smoke, leather, dust, plums and berries. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and light plums. Bright acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)
- 1955 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
WIML93+
Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of licorice, pepper, toasted almonds, Kirsch, sorghum and a bit of brown sugar. Flavors of licorice, white pepper and sorghum. Medium acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold. (93 pts.)
The end of the even found us back at the Courtyard by Marriott for a few puros. I didn't take any notes but for posterity sakes these are the wines we had with the puros:
NV R.L. Buller & Son Premium Fine Muscat
2000 Alvear Montilla-Moriles Pedro Ximénez de Añada Many thanks to Billy and Teddy for hosting us. Part Two to come. |
