Little of this and That...
Mostly impressions, from memory only...
Landmark Grand Detour 2005
Concentrated flavours but balanced and light on it´s feet, flavours leaning towards the more red spectrum and a very nice finish.
Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Tight nose, very subdued aromas, and taste for that matter. Heavy decanting eased a bit on the palate, but it remained unexpressive. Not a good showing.
Clos la Chance Ruby Throated Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Very open. Nicely balanced, and a pure expression of cabernet with just the right amount of oomph, which was the only give-away, that it was indeed Californian, Very nice,
Morgan Metallico Chardonnay 2006
Nicely unoaked. Open nose with just the right dose of tropical fruit and gooseberry and mineral aromas. Bit more ungiving on the palate, leaving a bit of a pale impression. Could be better with time.
Morgan Rosellas Pinot Noir 2002
Sweet and spicy on the nose, which mirrors the palate perfectly. Intriguing taste, with lot´s of things happening. Only regret is a bit loose structure.
Morgan 12 Clones 2004
Spicy but not as sweet as Rosella´s. A bit of terrific funk on the nose. Full bodied, developing sensations on the palate that kept improving.
Tandem Sangiacomo Pinot Noir 2004
Wow....this was a unique experience. Powerful and comlex nose, just a bit of funk that was every bit as well placed as the rest of the elements. Full throttle palate of complex dark fruit, but also elegance and sheer class.
Tandem Sangiacomo Chardonnay 2004
Don´t have much experience with US Chardonnay, but never tasted anything like this. A perfect mix between overseas and Old World. Tropical themes controlled by structure and perfect acid. Simply great.
Tandem Peloton 2005
Highly uncommon blend of red and white grapes. Highly uncommon pleasurable wine. Simply delicious, and the producer was not kidding saying this is the "who wins the first empty glass contest". Miles away from other types of this as Shiraz/Viognier. Strangely captive and plain desirable.
Stratton-Lommis Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Straight-forward cab, nice aroma and taste, well made but unexciting.
Row-Eleven Three Vinas 2006
Very nice well priced Pinot Noir. Elegant, burgundian but with enhanced but not out-of-place sweetness and black fruits. Medium bodied, but crisp and intense.
Row-Eleven Santa Maria Valley 2005
Great well priced Pinot. Big but focused, full bodied and very fruity and delicious, On par or better than the Morgan. Quite the surprise.
Pahlmeyer Meritage 1995
Plain great. Is the complexity coming from the Malbec ?, the dill or green streak really lifted this wine, giving freshness to the perfectly concentrated and balanced wine.
Mouton 1999
Again...great wine. The comlexity could be better, will undoubtedly improve, but the wine is so easy so full of charm that it really does not matter. Very nice concentration, a hint of mocca. Juicy and forthcoming, and still that touch of class.
Clos de Papes 2003
Overdone, too extracted for my taste and to my taste has lost some of the freshness. Perhaps a phase ?. Otherwise, hugely dissapointing.
Döhnhoff Kirscheck 2003
Telltale fragrant nose. Good dose of lemony, slatey flavours. Good mouthfeel and good length, but somehow boring. I know it is heretic, but unfortunately I am getting more and more bored with German Riesling, and I am having trouble seperating them, and feel that one glass is enough. I miss an edge. Gruner Veltliner is much more my thing these days...oh well
Guigal D´Ampuis 1998
Thankfully my last bottle. Should have waited another 30 years. Still perversely oaked and virtually bears no resemblence to wine.
Jeff Runquist Syrah Paso Robles 2001
Back.up bottle after the Guigal, and a study in balanced Syrah with power. Very nice, but could in fact have benefitted from a bit more power, but nice , and very well made.
Rosenblum "Anettes" ? 2000 Zinfandel.
Very nice. Good balance, no burned fruit but power in spades, getting better and better. Unamiliar with the producer, but excellent anyhow.
Mollydooker the Boxer 2005
As much a wine as was the Guigal. Not for me, and I love Aussie stuff.
Landmark Grand Detour 2005
Concentrated flavours but balanced and light on it´s feet, flavours leaning towards the more red spectrum and a very nice finish.
Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Tight nose, very subdued aromas, and taste for that matter. Heavy decanting eased a bit on the palate, but it remained unexpressive. Not a good showing.
Clos la Chance Ruby Throated Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Very open. Nicely balanced, and a pure expression of cabernet with just the right amount of oomph, which was the only give-away, that it was indeed Californian, Very nice,
Morgan Metallico Chardonnay 2006
Nicely unoaked. Open nose with just the right dose of tropical fruit and gooseberry and mineral aromas. Bit more ungiving on the palate, leaving a bit of a pale impression. Could be better with time.
Morgan Rosellas Pinot Noir 2002
Sweet and spicy on the nose, which mirrors the palate perfectly. Intriguing taste, with lot´s of things happening. Only regret is a bit loose structure.
Morgan 12 Clones 2004
Spicy but not as sweet as Rosella´s. A bit of terrific funk on the nose. Full bodied, developing sensations on the palate that kept improving.
Tandem Sangiacomo Pinot Noir 2004
Wow....this was a unique experience. Powerful and comlex nose, just a bit of funk that was every bit as well placed as the rest of the elements. Full throttle palate of complex dark fruit, but also elegance and sheer class.
Tandem Sangiacomo Chardonnay 2004
Don´t have much experience with US Chardonnay, but never tasted anything like this. A perfect mix between overseas and Old World. Tropical themes controlled by structure and perfect acid. Simply great.
Tandem Peloton 2005
Highly uncommon blend of red and white grapes. Highly uncommon pleasurable wine. Simply delicious, and the producer was not kidding saying this is the "who wins the first empty glass contest". Miles away from other types of this as Shiraz/Viognier. Strangely captive and plain desirable.
Stratton-Lommis Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Straight-forward cab, nice aroma and taste, well made but unexciting.
Row-Eleven Three Vinas 2006
Very nice well priced Pinot Noir. Elegant, burgundian but with enhanced but not out-of-place sweetness and black fruits. Medium bodied, but crisp and intense.
Row-Eleven Santa Maria Valley 2005
Great well priced Pinot. Big but focused, full bodied and very fruity and delicious, On par or better than the Morgan. Quite the surprise.
Pahlmeyer Meritage 1995
Plain great. Is the complexity coming from the Malbec ?, the dill or green streak really lifted this wine, giving freshness to the perfectly concentrated and balanced wine.
Mouton 1999
Again...great wine. The comlexity could be better, will undoubtedly improve, but the wine is so easy so full of charm that it really does not matter. Very nice concentration, a hint of mocca. Juicy and forthcoming, and still that touch of class.
Clos de Papes 2003
Overdone, too extracted for my taste and to my taste has lost some of the freshness. Perhaps a phase ?. Otherwise, hugely dissapointing.
Döhnhoff Kirscheck 2003
Telltale fragrant nose. Good dose of lemony, slatey flavours. Good mouthfeel and good length, but somehow boring. I know it is heretic, but unfortunately I am getting more and more bored with German Riesling, and I am having trouble seperating them, and feel that one glass is enough. I miss an edge. Gruner Veltliner is much more my thing these days...oh well
Guigal D´Ampuis 1998
Thankfully my last bottle. Should have waited another 30 years. Still perversely oaked and virtually bears no resemblence to wine.
Jeff Runquist Syrah Paso Robles 2001
Back.up bottle after the Guigal, and a study in balanced Syrah with power. Very nice, but could in fact have benefitted from a bit more power, but nice , and very well made.
Rosenblum "Anettes" ? 2000 Zinfandel.
Very nice. Good balance, no burned fruit but power in spades, getting better and better. Unamiliar with the producer, but excellent anyhow.
Mollydooker the Boxer 2005
As much a wine as was the Guigal. Not for me, and I love Aussie stuff.
posted by Morten at 2:17 PM
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