Last weekend and old friend from the east-coast and his wife stayed with us and we used the opportunity to try through some new and old wines from both of our cellars (mostly his). Here are my thoughts:
1997 Bell Cabernet Sauvignon Baritelle Vineyard - This wine was very bricky/brown when first poured. It had some of the minty dusty nose associated with Rutherford, but not as much as I would have expected from such a great vintage. Slightly reductive, as if it got air in it, and tangy/salty on the tongue. The cork appeared fine, so I would have to say that this wine was over the hill. Much dismay!
2005 Domaine St.-Prefert Chateauneuf-du-Pape Auguste Favier Reserve - This was high on Wine Spectator's Top 100 last year, and it was easy to see why. Huge nose with tons of graphite and raspberry, and a meaty quality. Silky smooth on the palate with great tannins. The finish lingered forever. Absolutely top notch CNdP from a great vintage.
2005 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing Vineyard - I have been tasting a bottle a month of this wine since it was released last Spring and it is finally coming around to deserving it high points. Extremely dense, almost chewy. The fruit is so dominant it almost punches you in the nose. Definitely not a old-world Pinot. Long, long finish. Unfortunately, since this wine is list only, you almost cannot find it outside restaurants. Try anyway.
2004 Red Car Pinot Noir Amour Fou - Another list only, huge, new-world Pinot Noir. This beauty almost drank like good syrah it was so heavy. Great minerality, lots of black cherry and dark fruits. Showed a bit of its extremely high alcohol, but then again, I am a pick picky on that issue. This winery does great hand painted labels from an obviously talented artist and seals in wax. Neat packaging. A friend of ours recently became an investor in this culty winery.
1999 Gaja Barbaresco - What to say about this epic winery? This is consistantly one of the best Barbaresco's made, year-in, year-out. It took 1+ hours to open after decanting and filled the room with rose petals and black liquorish. Insanely smooth and the decanter went dry way to quick. 94 points from Wine Spectator and a release price of $185, and that was 6 years ago. Must have more! More I say!
2003 Calera Pinot Noir Jenson Vineyard - Completely different style from the other Pinots of the night. Very meaty smelling, much lighter in color and body. This wine was the most elegant of the 3. Nice high acidity made this go so well with food. Made in a very Burgundian style. After the Gaja, this was my favorite of the wines. Also, this should be the most available of any of the above, just in a more recent vintage.
