USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
[$24.95] Full-bodied pinot. Fruit, red cherry, crushed rose pedals, tannic; very nice effort. This was the QPR of the night. At $20 this was a very nice surprise.
[$39.99] Fruit, cedar, earthy; most remarkable for the brevity of the finish; not for me. Loved the 2001, would pass on this; though it is a pinot that may benefit from aging, maybe it wll get better
[$34.95] Current, coffe, min spice, oak. Typically not a huge fan of syrah from Northern California producers, but this was good stuff. In fact I liked much better than previously, may even make a small purchase.
[$89.99] The sales pitch states that the grapes are sourced from vines on an intersection that borders Dalla Valle, Screaming Eagle and Phelps’ Backus properties. Therefore, there should be little surprise that this is great. Sweet tannins, black fruit, chocolate mocha; some very nice notes; though very attractive now, give it time and it will undoubtedly be something special. Along with Thirteen and Tor, one of the best three wines of the tasting.
[$64.95] BOWT. Sublte, well-balanced. Not an in-your face cab. Currant, mild tannins. Remarkablely long blackberry finish, infact one of the longest finishes I can remember. Everytime you think it is over, there is more.
[$99.99] A Meritage blend of grapes from each of Napa's 13 sub-appellations. Interesting gimick that works remarkably well. Ripe fruit, cassis, oak; high quality, classic Cali cab. Definately one of the best three wines of the tasting.
2002 Dr. Loosen Graacher Himmelreich Riesling
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
[$32.95] very sweet; not for me
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2003 Pursuit Sauvignon Blanc
USA, California, Napa Valley
[$16.16] unremarkable
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2003 Pursuit Chardonnay
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
[$29.66] apple, pear, oak; a little hash; unremarkable.
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2002 Hanzell Chardonnay
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
[$54.95] apple, minerals, honey, butter; best of the whites, but I would expect better at this price level.
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2001 Campion Pinot Noir
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
[$24.95] Full-bodied pinot. Fruit, red cherry, crushed rose pedals, tannic; very nice effort. This was the QPR of the night. At $20 this was a very nice surprise.
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2002 Etude Pinot Noir Estate Carneros
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
[$39.99] Fruit, cedar, earthy; most remarkable for the brevity of the finish; not for me. Loved the 2001, would pass on this; though it is a pinot that may benefit from aging, maybe it wll get better
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1998 Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy Barbaresco Martinenga Gaiun
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[$74.95] No detailed notes, but if I had to pick one nebbiolo this would not be it.
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2002 Nickel & Nickel Merlot Harris Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
[$39.95] Big, cab like. Red fruit, milk chocolate, oak; has potential.
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2002 Cliff Lede Claret
USA, California, Napa Valley
[$29.99] Big Black fruit, oak, BBQ, coffee, smoky
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2002 Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
[$29.95] Approachable. Mild fruit, tannins. No Monte Bello, but offers some enjoyment.
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2002 Venge Vineyards Syrah Family Reserve
USA, California, San Francisco Bay
[$34.95] Current, coffe, min spice, oak. Typically not a huge fan of syrah from Northern California producers, but this was good stuff. In fact I liked much better than previously, may even make a small purchase.
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2001 Henschke Euphonium Keyneton Estate
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
[$54.95] leather, cherries, tannins
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2001 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon Snowden Vineyards
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
[$59.95]
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2002 Rudd Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Oakville
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
[$89.99] The sales pitch states that the grapes are sourced from vines on an intersection that borders Dalla Valle, Screaming Eagle and Phelps’ Backus properties. Therefore, there should be little surprise that this is great. Sweet tannins, black fruit, chocolate mocha; some very nice notes; though very attractive now, give it time and it will undoubtedly be something special. Along with Thirteen and Tor, one of the best three wines of the tasting.
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2002 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Clones
USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
[$64.95] BOWT. Sublte, well-balanced. Not an in-your face cab. Currant, mild tannins. Remarkablely long blackberry finish, infact one of the longest finishes I can remember. Everytime you think it is over, there is more.
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2002 Girard Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
USA, California, Napa Valley
[$59.99] Grown next door to Bryant. Big wine with ripe fruit, current; needs time to settle down, but has lots to offer.
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2002 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Gypsy Block
USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
[$199.99/1.5L] Made for Premiere Napa Valley auction; only 5 cases made; poured from a magnum. Black cherry, blueberry, smoke. Very good stuff
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2000 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
USA, California, Napa Valley
[$99.95] Never understood the interest. This reaffirms previous experiences.
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2002 Pursuit Campfire Red
USA, California, Napa Valley
[$35.96]
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2002 Italics Winegrowers Thirteen Appellations
USA, California, Napa Valley
[$99.99] A Meritage blend of grapes from each of Napa's 13 sub-appellations. Interesting gimick that works remarkably well. Ripe fruit, cassis, oak; high quality, classic Cali cab. Definately one of the best three wines of the tasting.
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