Lee L. Wine Reviews
2006 - L'Aventure Cote A Cote Estate Proprietary Blend |
very dark/ripe for a GSM |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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40% Mouvedre, 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah. Red fruit and spice on the nose a little hot. Black cherries and blueberries round out the palate with a very long finish. Very pricey. |
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2006 - L'Aventure Estate Cuvee Proprietary Blend |
opulent central coast cuvee |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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Black fruit and french oak, extremely opulent. Blueberries and blackberries from the syrah, the cab notes are atypical of paso (probably because of the westside location). This needs years of cellaring or a day in the decanter as is would be a struggle to drink now. |
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2003 - Talbott, Robert Chardonnay Diamond T Estate Chardonnay |
don't fear the snowflakes on the bottom |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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Extremeley rich and golden, bursting with thick gobs of fruit and oak. Huge and a little sweet, this Diamond T vineyard lends itself to smaller concentrated berries. This isn't the unfined and unfiltered version, but an excessive amount of acid has come out of solution. Don't be affraid, even if this wasn't cold stablized the golden elixr on top from an special carmel valey vineyard is too rare and too good to waste. |
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2004 - Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir |
anderson valley fruit stars |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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Mulling spices on the nose, beautiful red fruits on the palate and a loamy finish. Very streamlined, no sharp edges, soft and lush. Bob Cabral has definately changed the style and expanded the vineyard selection, but the end result hasn't suffered much. |
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1995 - Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
My first great cali pinot |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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Amazing acidity and spice, burgundian style with california power. Typical russian river fruit on the nose followed by a rollercoaster of spice on the palate. Still could use a couple years cellaring believe it or not. |
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2006 - San Saba Vineyards Bocage Unoaked Chardonnay Chardonnay |
great deal in un-oaked monterey chard |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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Winemaker Sabrine Rodems takes a scientific approach to winemaking and this formula definately works. At $12 a bottle for estate grown monterey chard fermented and aged sur lie in stainless steel you can't go wrong. Very clean and crisp, bright juicy acidity, tropical fruit, not overly complex just overtly enjoyable. |
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2005 - Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir Pinot Noir |
wood and alcohol |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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This 14.9% oak bomb of a pinot was made in the style of their excellent chard, but the subtley of the fruit is lost. Please re-hire Helen Turley and stick to the bordeaux blends. 100% new oak is not appropriate for the fruit they got. |
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1997 - Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Cabernet Sauvignon |
I expected more |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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The 1996 blew this away, but 10 years from now this will still be alive. Tobacco and under ripe plum on the nose, full mid-palate, but out of balance on the finish. The tannins are not integrated in a delicate manner, and the finish suffers. |
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1999 - Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Cabernet Sauvignon |
very muted |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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This effort was very muted and austere. It showed minimal amounts of cassis and american oak on the nose, then a flat midpalate.Very round, integrated and balanced, soft tannins just no edge or anything exceptional about it. |
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1994 - Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Cabernet Sauvignon |
most bordeaux like silver oak i've had |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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The 1994 vintage had cedar and green notes that are very unusual for dan meyer's style. Bitter tannins and gobs of acidity mean this could benefit from another 5 years of cellaring. |
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2006 - Goldeneye (Duckhorn) Pinot Noir Migration Pinot Noir |
second label more approachable than the first |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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In a tight year this second label cuvee of 6 vineyards outperformed the namesake wine of the estate. Cherry and floral notes on the nose, with cola mulling spices and sweet fruit on the palate finishing with an earthiness and forest mushroom note that is particular to anderson valley. Great deal. |
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2005 - Goldeneye (Duckhorn) Pinot Noir Pinot Noir |
quinessential cold climate pinot |
Jun 12, 2008 |
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Mulling spices and dark fruits on the nose followed by a very austere red fruit mid-palate. lots of french oak, over 16 months in barrel! Very light and delicate, not particularly ripe, it has bright acidity that will bode well for aging. |
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1996 - Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Cabernet Sauvignon |
best out of a vertical |
Jun 10, 2008 |
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This vintage is showing so much creme de cassis its hard to believe that its silver oak. Amazingly soft, not beating you over the head with oak and tannins, it is probably peaking right now.. |
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1982 - Ducru Beaucaillou Bordeaux Blend |
has massive amounts of life left |
Jun 10, 2008 |
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wow. tobacco and smoke, tannins that grip for days. One of the better 1982 i've had recentely. I'd cellar this another 5 years as it needed a couple hours open , in the glass or decanter. Beautifully structured quinessential left-bank cab bomb. |
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1997 - Schloss Saarstein Serriger Schloss Saarstein Riesling Auslese Gold Cap Riesling |
fruit and petrol jump out of glass |
May 31, 2008 |
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oh gold cap auslese! why can't i have more of you than a half bottle? Immense amounts of peach pears and petrol on the nose and palate, one of the more fruit driven old rielsings i've ever had. Herb and mineral notes are present, but this is a clean clean wine. At 8% alcohol and a healthy amount of sugar, it isn't very heavy on the palate, never cloying it will disappear. do not share, you will miss every last drop. Diabetes here I come... |
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2005 - Corra Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon |
ripe balanced and soft |
May 28, 2008 |
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Ripe dark fruit jumps out of the glass on the nose, lush and soft on the palate, rich and concentrated without being cloying or hot. Needs decanting and continues to develop new spices and flavors over time. A winning effort from scarecrow winemaker Celia Masyczek (and much cheaper). |
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1982 - Monterey Peninsula Cabernet Sauvignon Docter's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
light, soft and holding up |
May 28, 2008 |
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Tobacco and herbs on the nose, well balanced, reminiscent of smith & hook or a 5th growth Paulliac. Soft integrated tannins and still holding onto its fruit. A great example of monterey couty cab. |
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1995 - Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne Blend |
sourdough and strawberries |
May 28, 2008 |
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While the NV is the coca-cola of good champagne, this vintage bubbly has a profile of sourdough and strawberries as opposed to toasted brioche. Nice complexity, a champagne to ponder and not just slam. |
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2005 - Navarro Chardonnay Premiere Reserve Chardonnay |
cold climate chard |
May 19, 2008 |
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Cinnamon and mulling spice on the nose, a signature of the cold climate in anderson valley. Citrus and green apple fruits with honey on the finish (slightly off dry .15% rs). Pleasant complex affordable chard. |
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1974 - Monterey Peninsula Chardonnay Chardonnay |
first vintage for monterey bay pioneers |
May 19, 2008 |
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I was blown away how a 34 year old monterey chard made in the "dark ages" for this area is still so clean and golden. Golden stone fruits on a the nose with a slight funk, new sweet french oak and minerality still prevalent in the mid-palate and a buttery finish from the ML and the oak. Bravo. |
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1981 - Monterey Peninsula Pinot Blanc Cobblestone Vineyard Pinot Blanc |
has held up exceptionally well |
May 19, 2008 |
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For a slightly off dry pinot blanc this was showing beautifully yesterday at brunch. Golden fruits on the nose with a sweet lactic buttery finish, like an old white burgundy blended with riesling. |
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2004 - Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant Proprietary Blend |
best cigare this decade |
May 19, 2008 |
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A new grenache source in paicenes, and a commitment to smaller production has lead to the best CDP imitation i've had from bonny doon. Rose, anise and rasberry jam waft from the glass to the nose, and its backed up by a denser core of spice and meat than in previous vintages. Stellar, as the flying saucer should be. |
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2006 - Bonny Doon Le Cigare Blanc Proprietary Blend |
i love grenache blanc |
May 19, 2008 |
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There is something really appealing about the broadness of grenache blanc on the mid-palate that makes this such an exceptional food wine. This cuvee is 75% GB and 25% Roussane, aged in neutral french oak sur lie with about 25% ML fermentation, and it doesn't need any more rich lactic acid. Exceptional with salad and cheese, this nose packs herbs, melon and pear, there is significant weight to the mouthfeel and an expressive finish. |
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2005 - Bonny Doon Le Pousseur Syrah Syrah |
this vintage is a sign of things to come... |
May 19, 2008 |
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Hats off to Randall Grahm. This syrah is sourced from exceptional vineyards on the central coast: Bien Naicido in Santa Maria, Chequera in west-side Paso Robles, Gimelli Vineyard in the Cienega Valley near hollister and the Estate Ca' del solo vineyard in the salinas valley of monterey county. Very hermitage like, this wine has a floral, meaty & smoky note on the nose. Leather and game are prevalent in this very reductive style, super concentrated and under $20! Decant this or enjoy it the next day and the next and so on.... |
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2007 - Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare |
summer time picnic wine to crack |
May 19, 2008 |
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crack a screwtop of this rose this summer and you won't be disappointed. Bone-dry and rich, this vin gris of 47% grenache, 27% cinsault, 14% syrah, 7% grenache blanc and 5% rousanne has complex floral, spice and herbal notes with a heavier viscocity on the mid-palate mouthfeel and a clean finish. Strawberry and cherry fruit are prevalent, but do not dominate. |
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2004 - Dujac, Domaine Bonnes Mares Pinot Noir |
this wine made burgundy the promised land for me |
May 07, 2008 |
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Never sweet or cloying, this perfectly balanced pinot blew away the marcassian tasted next to it. This fruit is exceptional, and the price doesn't lie. Powerful deep fruit, this was decanted for half a day and still had places to go, gorgeous balanced mineral finish. I wish, i wish i had more... |
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2005 - Bonny Doon Ca del Solo Sangiovese Sangiovese |
great central coast biodynamic QPR |
May 07, 2008 |
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i like this screwtop QPR more that a lot of randall Grahm's other more expensive reds. Black cherry, rasberry and strawberry all play a part in this fruit driven sangio. Biodynamic farming might have helped the focus on minerals and fruit as opposed to earth and tannins. We can't ask for more from a $12 wine. |
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2006 - Pax Cellars Syrah Sonoma Hillsides Syrah |
decommissioned syrah dump |
May 07, 2008 |
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This is Pax's decommissioned syrah blend and it deserves the title. While possessing the unholy deep purple black plummy fruit of pax, thickness on the palate, and a long fruity cassis finish, there is some brett in there as well. The nose turns me off for the price, but at least the fruit is there somewhere... |
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2006 - Pax Cellars Syrah Cuvee Christine Syrah |
fruit driven pax |
May 07, 2008 |
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deep purple black syrah cuvee. extremely juicy creme de mure and cassis, it is all fruit (thank god), blackberries and spice. Very rich and deep on the palate, this is what expensive california syrah should be like! |
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2006 - Pax Cellars Cuvee Moriah Proprietary Blend |
i'd like to see a different blend |
May 07, 2008 |
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This is a 88% grenache blend from sonoma that burns with heat on the nose. Decant, swirl, oxidize this however you can. Sweet bitter strawberry rhubarb pie with heat, not an extremeley long finish. Would love to see them make a traditional GSM because this grenache doesn't match up to their syrah. |
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2006 - Pax Cellars Syrah Walker Vine Hill Syrah |
big bold tannic syrah |
May 07, 2008 |
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This black colored inky bomb is big, big, big. Blueberries and meat, i'd decant this for 3-4 hours as it is extremely tannic in its youth. Maybe in the future they will include less stems. I'm not a fan of green stemminess as a preservative |
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2005 - Galante Vineyards Rancho Galante Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon |
great cv cab value |
May 07, 2008 |
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Sweet fruit on the nose a little dirt, some vegetal notes, very earth driven and complex for a cheap cuvee. This is showing very well young and has been very consistent year to year. |
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2004 - Galante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Blackjack Pasture Cabernet Sauvignon |
pricey but tasty |
May 07, 2008 |
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Sweet french oak, black fruits, a few green notes, a little black pepper a tad hot tannic and bitter but that will fade with age. Try 98-02, 03 and 04 have been fairly weak for this excellent vineyard. |
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2005 - Galante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rose Hill Cabernet Sauvignon |
May 07, 2008 |
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Apparenlty they are going to blend petite syrah into the future vintages of this maligned block. This is the exact opposite of syrah, a bell-pepper bomb empty on the mid-palate, bitter and tannic finish.Oh well... |
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2007 - Galante Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Sauvignon Blanc |
Another winner SB from galante |
May 07, 2008 |
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The bottle has changed but the quality is the same two years in a row. A tart scrumptious grapefruit nose. Juicy big fruit for an SB, mouth watering and puckering acidity with a ton of stony mineral notes. If only they made more of this and less red... |
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2003 - Joullian Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon |
cold-climate cab |
May 07, 2008 |
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This has potential for aging, as it is very light and low alcohol. Right now it suffers from being in a cold area, with too many green notes (bell pepper in particular). Other than that, there is a alot of chocolate, anise and blackberry. |
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2006 - Joullian Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay |
Totally different style than talbott |
May 07, 2008 |
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Orange and other citrus peel nots on the nose, very floral. Lip-smacking amount of acid, toasty hazelnuts on the finish. More french style than cali, a definate candidate for cellaring. |
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2006 - Joullian Chardonnay Roger Rose Vineyard Chardonnay |
tiny single vineyard chard |
May 07, 2008 |
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only 241 cases of this arroyo seco chard were made. Tropical fruit and toast on the nose, very lush concentrated mid-palate, a lot of creme brulee, with a clean finish that feels sweet but isn't (its bone dry). Very tasty now, wait a couple more years... |
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2005 - Talbott, Robert Pinot Noir Logan Pinot Noir |
last hurrah for old pinot clones |
May 07, 2008 |
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This SLH sleepy hollow pinot is mostly martini clone, as in old school louis martini. The nose on this 05 is extremely muted, there are a few funky green note and a touch of bitterness on the finish. This is meant to age, unlike every other pinot on the block. |
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2006 - Talbott, Robert Pinot Noir Kali Hart Pinot Noir |
Beats out most $20 pinots |
May 07, 2008 |
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Tons of cherry, blueberry and cola on the nose. Clean and light, not much structure on the mouthfeel. Finishes on a few green spicy notes. This pinot is meant to drink young, like a dark rose and will easily be quaffed at any function. |
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2006 - Talbott, Robert Logan Chardonnay Chardonnay |
amazing SLH chard for the price |
May 07, 2008 |
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This rich second label alternative to talbott's sleepy hollow chard has kiwi and sweet tropical fruits on the nose. Extremely rich and austure on the mouthfeel, with a toasty sweet but not buttery finish. For around $20 its a steal. |
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2005 - Pelerin Winery Syrah Mesa Del Sol Vineyard Syrah |
Arroyo Seco's finest |
May 06, 2008 |
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This syrah is from Anne Hougham's organically farmed 7-acre Mesa Del Sol vineyard, one of the most beautiful plots in south monterey county. Chris gets his syrah from a steep low-yielding section of the vineyard. This inky syrah has fleshy plums, blackberries, a lil white pepper a lush full mouth and mid-palate with soft silky tannins. This inky elixir is exceptional and very limited. |
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2005 - Pelerin Winery Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir |
Artisan SLH Pinot |
May 06, 2008 |
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Explodes with kirsch-cola, spice and sweet french vanilla oak. This elegant vineyard harbors some monster fruit, and Chris Weidemann's deft touch yields a complex big SLH pinot. This is showing beautifully now, but will benefit with a couple years of tucking away. |
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1992 - Morgan Chardonnay Reserve Chardonnay |
they don't make 'em like they used to... |
May 06, 2008 |
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Had out of a magnum stored at the winery and man-o-manischewitz was it singing. Nose of golden fruits, fresh peaches opening up to light toast and hazelnuts. Clean, refreshing, not overboard on the lactic acid. Perfectly balanced complement to any any fish dish rich or raw. An early pick in 92 leading to 13% alcohol made this wine an acid bomb when it came out. This reserve is a barrel select cuvee. 16 years later it has coke into its own and blows away al the over-oaked thick sweet and hot styles we have currently. |
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2006 - Morgan Pinot Noir Double L Vineyard Pinot Noir |
the estate always gets the royal treatment |
May 06, 2008 |
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Very extracted, dark opaque red-purple. A lot of new french oak on the nose. Very concentrated, kirsch, rose and dark berries. Definately showing the best young among all of morgan's pinots. Organically farmed, this could be the breakout year for this underrated SLH plot. |
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1981 - Mouton-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend |
first growth |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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brick red color with a lighter extraction leading to an orange tinge. A nose of cedar, tobacco, chocolate and coffee grounds, this mouton is drinking fabulously right now, and its remaining life is hard to estimate because it isn't as dense as other vintages. |
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2006 - Loring Wine Co Pinot Noir Russell Family Vineyard Pinot Noir |
Paso Pinot? nothing to pass over... |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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Normally a pinot that says paso on it gets a automatic no from me (that even includes you adeladia), this effort was quite interesting. High extraction, dense color, and a floral tea leaf nose. This was very reminiscent of a low-end german Spätburgunder. |
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9998 - Big Basin Vineyards Syrah Mandala Syrah |
hugh cool climate syrah blend |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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This syrah is blended from the estate rattlesnake rock vineyard in santa cruz and the fairview ranch vineyard in the SLH. Intense fruit, sweet, deep oxidation, this wine has been beat up and still provides huge soft spices. Its pricey but very good. |
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2003 - Heller Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
The old durney vineyard still impresses |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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On the oldest and nicest plot in the cachagua region of carmel valley lies the 100% organic durney vineyard. The 2003 offers up chocolate and spice, a clean hot cab that if blind tasted would definately trick many. Winemaker Rich Tanguay works magic with chenin blanc and port, but this cab is a must try along with his cab franc and merlot. One day i hope the Hellers lower the price and just make a proprietary blend instead of doubling up on a meritage. Oh the trappings of owning a tasting room... |
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2004 - Talbott, Robert Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay |
Monterey: chardonnay is what we do |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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The nose is all tropical fruit thanks to the sur lie. French oak a lil residual sugar and the reduction from barrel and bottle age lead to a creamy rich texture with a sweet finish and some nice toast. A standard bearer that outshines the generic rombauer on a consistant basis. |
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2003 - Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon |
It was what i thought it was |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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Jumped out of the glass with cassis, berries and chocolate. Not extremely complex, but hey this is no small production here. Sweet and rich on the mid-palate with a pleasant soft finish. 2003s are definately showing their all pretty early. |
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2000 - Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon |
Washington State superstar |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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Took a while to open up in the decanter. Muted nose until about 2 hours, floral blue and black berry fruits, complex positive green notes. Much more complexity than napa powerhouse depth, but still rich and elegant. I need to try better vintages, but good washington cab is hard to come by in cali. |
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2006 - Morgan Pinot Gris R & D Franscioni Vineyard Pinot Gris |
dry rich food friendly value |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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This pinot gris is from the franscioni brother's shared vineyard high up in the SLH. Peachs, pears, crisp acidity, a broad thick mid-palate with a lingering dry finish make this Alsace style white extremely food friendly. A great counter point to the generic italian pinot grigios. |
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2006 - Morgan Pinot Noir Twelve Clones Pinot Noir |
The coca-cola of monterey pinots |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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2006 was absolutely terrible in the SLH. Tightly wound, tannic, non-expressive fruit. Morgan somehow (and always) comes out with a quality mix, but the price keeps creeping up. Damn supply and demand because this is a great pinot for $25, and just a good one when its over $30. Cherry cola, rose peatals and spice. A lighter extraction makes this '06 approachable right out of the bottle. |
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2005 - Hahn Estates Cabernet Franc Cabernet Franc |
last vintage! sacrificed to the pinot gods... |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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Hahn (Smith & Hook) has some prime real estate in the SLH and most of their land was planted to bordeaux varietals. Thanks to 'the movie' these 30+ year old vines were replanted to pinot, making 2005 the last vintage for hahn cab franc. Fellow local winemaker Damien Georis made a great wine out of this last pick called 'Madeline', and it sold out locally in short order. This cab franc is intensely fruit driven, with a slight tobacco nose, made in the modern cali style. The wines made in the early 80s were a tough sell, tight tannin and low alcohol bordeaux blends from monterey didn't really have a market. Now they are very similar to old paulliacs like Latour. Hopefully the pinot they harvest from this plot near soledad can match that potential. |
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2005 - Hahn Estates Merlot Monterey Merlot |
monterey doesn't mean bell pepper |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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Hahn estates consistently produces some of the best $10-$15 value wines on the central coast. This merlot is very approachable after a quick decant, offering smoky cherry and oak, soft tannins and a decent finish. A complete wine and balanced package for $12. |
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2006 - Linne Calodo Rising Tides Proprietary Red Proprietary Blend |
stellar paso GSM |
Apr 26, 2008 |
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This paso robles GSM is 44% Grenache, 42% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre. It is very sweet on the nose like saxum, but the fruit has more of a floral character. Very juicy and complex, this wine definately is a great example of Paso's potential. They make other rhone blends and even put zin in a few of them, but to my palate the brown fruits just ruin a blend. |
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2001 - Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon |
Best young california cab ever? |
Apr 26, 2008 |
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Another life changer. Thick chocolate and vanilla, seemlessly integrated tannins. Only decanted for an hour. I wish we had more will power, but this juice is just too good to resist... |
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2003 - Sine Qua Non Papa Syrah |
I drank the bob parker jr. kool-aid... |
Apr 26, 2008 |
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I had this at passionfish a couple years back with my good wine buddies because not only do they get an allocation of this impossible to find wine, they sell it at retail! This syrah changed my life, proved that southern california has world class potential and that Manfred Krankl is a genius. Unbelievable nose of purple black fruit and vanilla sweet french oak. Extremely clean, velvet on the tongue, superb balance(and i know that 14.9% alcohol is a lie), immense concentration with a minute long finish. We should have stolen the other bottles because they wouldn't let us buy them to take home at any price. |
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2002 - Bond (Harlan) The Matriarch Proprietary Red Wine Proprietary Blend |
A must try for those who can't afford Harlan |
Apr 26, 2008 |
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Rich vanilla oak, big cassis and blueberry character favoring fruit over tannins. If this is Bond's second label, i've got to try me some Bond. This wine might be an argument against the prevailing wisdom of single vineyard dominance. This cast-off wine from the various harlan/bond vineyards is seamlessly integrated and a testament to the powers of blending. Of course it helps to start out with world class fruit... |
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2006 - Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard Syrah |
syrupy syrah elixir |
Apr 26, 2008 |
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I had a barrel sample of this in SLO earlier this week and it was unlike any california or rhone syrah I have ever tasted. Super-extracted sweet jammy fruit, and that was just on the nose. It was syrupy, fruit-forward and high octane, showing extremely well for a barrel sample. The heat was well intregated because it is very soft, lush and concentrated. Hopefully this will gain more complexity after it is bottled, but i certainly got what all the fuss was about, esp. because it stands out in a mediocre year. |
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2004 - Leflaive, Domaine Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay |
my favorite affordable white burgundy |
Apr 26, 2008 |
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Nose of toasted nuts with only a hint of oak, lush mid-palate, mouth watering acidity with a long bone dry finish. True burgudian character with the fruit in the back seat while the earth drives. I've had this wine 4 times over the last year and it has been extremely consistant and one of the easiest chards to pair with food. |
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