2009 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Second time sampling this wine and it showed well with mineral, orange peel, grapefruit and subtle wood. Medium finish and good acidity. (91 pts.)
2008 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Aromas of cranberry, wood, spice and pepper. This wine has a gritty texture and plenty of flavor on the palate and finish. Medium finish. My least favorite of the 2008 Merry Edwards lineup but a solid wine overall. (90 pts.)
2008 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
A super wine which is a blend of the single vineyard juice. Violets, cranberry, cherry, dust and full of flavor. Medium to long finish and balanced wine. Good value for top end Pinot. (92 pts.)
2008 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Flax Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
This wine opened up over time and revealed cherry, oak, vanilla and spice on the nose. A little heat but that blew off and a touch of sweet fruit on the palate. Medium finish. Initial reaction was a 90 but with time 92+ (92 pts.)
2008 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Meredith Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
A wonderful Pinot Noir with cranberry, cherry, ocffee and minerals. A lot of depth to this wine and it has a long finish. A big style but balanced. (93 pts.)
2008 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Olivet Lane - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
A nice showing and this will get even better. Spice, cinnamon, vanilla, oak, and raspberry. Medium finish and I would age this at least three years. (92 pts.)
2008 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Coopersmith - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Medium purple. Nose of strawberry, raspberry, mocha and minerals. On the palate it picks up some spice and has a really concentrated finish. (92 pts.)
2008 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Light style Pinot with wood, minerals, spice and strawberries. Short to medium finish and a bit thin on the palate. My least favorite of the single vineyards. (90 pts.)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Rockstar Aussie Wines
Rockstar event at Kevin with core Minneapolis Wine Club members. Tie for wine of the night for me with the Amon-Ra and Henry's Drive.
No corked bottles again and of course all members preview their wines. I decanted the Henry's Drive 4 plus hours and if I didn't it would not be drinkable.
Great event and we will do it again.
2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/26/2011)
Very complex wine but the nose does not do the palate justice. Blueberries, coffee, spice and floral notes. Concentrated palate and medium to long finish. Really integrated wine and really no flaws. Impressive! (94 pts.)
2004 Kalleske Shiraz Greenock - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/26/2011)
The most unusual wine I have tasted this year. Started out at a solid 94 and dipped down to a 90 and back to a 92 and up one more point to a 93. Truffles, spice, cherry, soy, pepper and gardenia in no particular order. Changing over and over. (93 pts.)
2002 Henry's Drive Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Padthaway (3/26/2011)
This wine was decanted 4 hours and vinturi systemed 3. Great wine with charcoal, pepper, menthol, oak and vanilla. Not a lot of fruit showing but very concentrated wine and thick. Long finish and impressive. (94 pts.)
2006 Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chênes - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (3/26/2011)
I liked this better than the group with funk, scorched earth, minerals, blueberries and coffee. A lot of New World character. (92 pts.)
2007 Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (3/26/2011)
Little subtle for Aussie Shiraz with blueberries, coffee, candied fruit and floral. Got a bit better over the night. (91 pts.)
2002 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (3/26/2011)
Great wine and improve with some time. Floral, leather, oak, blackberries, boysenberries and spices. Lots of damp earth up front but mellowed out and improve. Medium finish. 92 Plus (92 pts.)
2005 Kaesler Shiraz The Bogan - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/27/2011)
Sampled a few times and always solid with blackberries, floral and coffee on an active nose. Palate is solid with plenty of flavor and has a medium finish. (92 pts.)
2002 Turley Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (3/27/2011)
A nice wine with floral, raspberry, licorice, pepper and blueberries. Nice aromas and average concentration on the palate. Medium finish. (92 pts.)
No corked bottles again and of course all members preview their wines. I decanted the Henry's Drive 4 plus hours and if I didn't it would not be drinkable.
Great event and we will do it again.
2006 Glaetzer Shiraz Amon-Ra Barossa Valley - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/26/2011)
Very complex wine but the nose does not do the palate justice. Blueberries, coffee, spice and floral notes. Concentrated palate and medium to long finish. Really integrated wine and really no flaws. Impressive! (94 pts.)
2004 Kalleske Shiraz Greenock - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/26/2011)
The most unusual wine I have tasted this year. Started out at a solid 94 and dipped down to a 90 and back to a 92 and up one more point to a 93. Truffles, spice, cherry, soy, pepper and gardenia in no particular order. Changing over and over. (93 pts.)
2002 Henry's Drive Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Padthaway (3/26/2011)
This wine was decanted 4 hours and vinturi systemed 3. Great wine with charcoal, pepper, menthol, oak and vanilla. Not a lot of fruit showing but very concentrated wine and thick. Long finish and impressive. (94 pts.)
2006 Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chênes - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (3/26/2011)
I liked this better than the group with funk, scorched earth, minerals, blueberries and coffee. A lot of New World character. (92 pts.)
2007 Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (3/26/2011)
Little subtle for Aussie Shiraz with blueberries, coffee, candied fruit and floral. Got a bit better over the night. (91 pts.)
2002 Fox Creek Shiraz Reserve - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (3/26/2011)
Great wine and improve with some time. Floral, leather, oak, blackberries, boysenberries and spices. Lots of damp earth up front but mellowed out and improve. Medium finish. 92 Plus (92 pts.)
2005 Kaesler Shiraz The Bogan - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (3/27/2011)
Sampled a few times and always solid with blackberries, floral and coffee on an active nose. Palate is solid with plenty of flavor and has a medium finish. (92 pts.)
2002 Turley Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (3/27/2011)
A nice wine with floral, raspberry, licorice, pepper and blueberries. Nice aromas and average concentration on the palate. Medium finish. (92 pts.)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS WINE CLUB: BLIND TASTING $25 PRICE POINT - (2/18/2011)
A great time and Shari is a wonderful host. We knew the grape variety (blend) up front but had to match them up. These are great tastings to test your skills and I was able to get 10/13. Kevin won with 11/13. We will do it again soon. Everyone did get the Carbonnieux correct (ha,ha)
2004 Château Carbonnieux Blanc - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
A nice White Graves with a medium golden color. On the nose floral, apple, apricots and candied pinneapple. Nice flavors on the palate and good acidity. Medium finish. (89 pts.)
2007 Tierra Alta Carménère Reserva - Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
Strawberry, floral, spice and heavy eucalyptus on the nose. The palate was a bit off and medium finish. This was sampled blind and I have found the 3 times I have drank this wine that it really opens up on day 2 and 3. This wine needs some serious decanting but tasted similar to previous bottles on day one. (86 pts.)
2005 Glaetzer Shiraz The Bishop - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
A nice wine with dark color. Spice, raspberry, dust, and floral notes on the nose and palate. It shows some juicy fruit on the palate but not over the top. Medium to long finish and really no flaws on the wine. It was wine of the night in a 12 bottle blind tasting of worldwide wines. My second favorite of the night. (92 pts.)
2008 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Termes - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Cloudy in color. On the nose raspberry, pepper, floral and earth. The palate offered smooth subtle tannins and good concentration. A nice wine overall. (90 pts.)
2006 Karl Lawrence Aldin Red Table Wine - USA, California, Napa Valley
A nice effort with cherry, dust, floral, plum and blackberries. Medium to long finish and good expression. One member saved some for later and the nose was even better. A nice wine. (91 pts.)
2006 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
Very light in color and aromas of dust, spice, violets and cedar. On the palate I picked up strawberry notes. We did these wine blind and I thought this was the Pinot at first until later in the night it was clear another wine was the Pinot. Nice overall. (90 pts.)
2005 Duca di Croce Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
A nice wine and my wine of the night with floral, roses, raspberry, clay minerals and earth. Good flavor on the palate and not real tannic. Very much a drink now Brunello and a good drink at that. (93 pts.)
2008 Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico Superiore
A nice wine and I have always enjoyed their wines. Spice, floral, cherry and leather on the nose. The palate offers much of the same and blueberries appear. Medium finish and just a smooth experience. (90 pts.)
2004 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
The wine I brought and one of my least favorites of the night. Coffee, spice, floral and raspberry. Should have decanted this wine for a few hours which might have helped. Still a bit tannic. (88 pts.)
2008 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel California - USA, California
Why I hate too many Zins. Sweet fruits along with floral, raspberry and some dust. While I have had good Zin in the last year I have had too many that uninspire. (85 pts.)
2007 Siduri Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Tied for 2nd best wine of the night. First bottle was corked and in our group if you are not sure you bring a backup. Good advice to other offliners. Dust, floral, strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Really a fruit forward style of wine but not jam like. Very nice medium finish and balanced. Well done Gary. (92 pts.)
1998 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
I thought the first Brunello was the 98 but note to be. Minerals, tobacco, raspberry and sweet fruits. Medium finish and drink now. (90 pts.)
2005 Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Spice, floral and cherry dominate the wine along with hints of oak and vanilla. Medium finish and should pair well with steak. (89 pts.)
Bonus Wine2002 Domdechant Werner Hochheimer Kirchenstück Riesling Auslese - Germany, Rheingau
This was excellent and the 2nd best wine of the tasting but not an official wine as Judith brought as a bonus bottle. Thanks! Apricots, floral, candied fruit and pinneapple. Thick texture and a real crowd pleaser. Drink now or hold for five years. (92 pts.)
Groups Favorite Wines
1. 2005 Glaetzer Shiraz The Bishop
2. 2005 Duca di Croce Brunello di Montalcino
3. 2007 Siduri Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard
A great time and Shari is a wonderful host. We knew the grape variety (blend) up front but had to match them up. These are great tastings to test your skills and I was able to get 10/13. Kevin won with 11/13. We will do it again soon. Everyone did get the Carbonnieux correct (ha,ha)
2004 Château Carbonnieux Blanc - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
A nice White Graves with a medium golden color. On the nose floral, apple, apricots and candied pinneapple. Nice flavors on the palate and good acidity. Medium finish. (89 pts.)
2007 Tierra Alta Carménère Reserva - Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley
Strawberry, floral, spice and heavy eucalyptus on the nose. The palate was a bit off and medium finish. This was sampled blind and I have found the 3 times I have drank this wine that it really opens up on day 2 and 3. This wine needs some serious decanting but tasted similar to previous bottles on day one. (86 pts.)
2005 Glaetzer Shiraz The Bishop - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
A nice wine with dark color. Spice, raspberry, dust, and floral notes on the nose and palate. It shows some juicy fruit on the palate but not over the top. Medium to long finish and really no flaws on the wine. It was wine of the night in a 12 bottle blind tasting of worldwide wines. My second favorite of the night. (92 pts.)
2008 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Termes - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Cloudy in color. On the nose raspberry, pepper, floral and earth. The palate offered smooth subtle tannins and good concentration. A nice wine overall. (90 pts.)
2006 Karl Lawrence Aldin Red Table Wine - USA, California, Napa Valley
A nice effort with cherry, dust, floral, plum and blackberries. Medium to long finish and good expression. One member saved some for later and the nose was even better. A nice wine. (91 pts.)
2006 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
Very light in color and aromas of dust, spice, violets and cedar. On the palate I picked up strawberry notes. We did these wine blind and I thought this was the Pinot at first until later in the night it was clear another wine was the Pinot. Nice overall. (90 pts.)
2005 Duca di Croce Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
A nice wine and my wine of the night with floral, roses, raspberry, clay minerals and earth. Good flavor on the palate and not real tannic. Very much a drink now Brunello and a good drink at that. (93 pts.)
2008 Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico Superiore
A nice wine and I have always enjoyed their wines. Spice, floral, cherry and leather on the nose. The palate offers much of the same and blueberries appear. Medium finish and just a smooth experience. (90 pts.)
2004 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
The wine I brought and one of my least favorites of the night. Coffee, spice, floral and raspberry. Should have decanted this wine for a few hours which might have helped. Still a bit tannic. (88 pts.)
2008 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel California - USA, California
Why I hate too many Zins. Sweet fruits along with floral, raspberry and some dust. While I have had good Zin in the last year I have had too many that uninspire. (85 pts.)
2007 Siduri Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Tied for 2nd best wine of the night. First bottle was corked and in our group if you are not sure you bring a backup. Good advice to other offliners. Dust, floral, strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Really a fruit forward style of wine but not jam like. Very nice medium finish and balanced. Well done Gary. (92 pts.)
1998 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
I thought the first Brunello was the 98 but note to be. Minerals, tobacco, raspberry and sweet fruits. Medium finish and drink now. (90 pts.)
2005 Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Spice, floral and cherry dominate the wine along with hints of oak and vanilla. Medium finish and should pair well with steak. (89 pts.)
Bonus Wine2002 Domdechant Werner Hochheimer Kirchenstück Riesling Auslese - Germany, Rheingau
This was excellent and the 2nd best wine of the tasting but not an official wine as Judith brought as a bonus bottle. Thanks! Apricots, floral, candied fruit and pinneapple. Thick texture and a real crowd pleaser. Drink now or hold for five years. (92 pts.)
Groups Favorite Wines
1. 2005 Glaetzer Shiraz The Bishop
2. 2005 Duca di Croce Brunello di Montalcino
3. 2007 Siduri Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cameron Hughes Wines
Cameron Hughes makes really good wines! They are really reasonable and are from premier vineyard sites around the world. They simple partner with great producers and buy grapes from them. I have sampled six of their wines and never thought they were not worth the money.
Here are 2 wines in particular that are outstanding for the money:
2007 Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 140 - USA, California, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill (2/3/2011)Dark purple. Beautiful aromas of cherry, dust, violets and spice. On the palate spice, cherry, dust, violets and raspberries. Great acidity and soft/medium tannins. This is a true drink me now wine that has to be one of the best values I have ever tasted. A strong candiate for wine of the year at this price point. This is better than the Lot 200 at this stage of the game. (93 points)
*Interesting to read other notes on Cellar Tracker as too many reviewers are influenced by low scores from critics. Wine Specatator 82 is a joke. I am buying a case of this wine at $12.96 a bottle. It is better than ajust about any Napa/Sonoma Cabernet I have ever tasted under $25. If I served this blind in a $60 Napa Cab tasting it would finish in the middle of the pack.
2008 Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 200 - USA, California, Napa Valley (1/1/2011)I let this 1st bottle air out and this is a day 4 review. Mocha, blackberries, spices, oak, vanilla and violets. If you drink this now I recommend a six hour decant. The wine is more concentrated and really showing like a $60 Napa Cabernet. Highly recommended wine at this point and I am glad I saved some for the experiment. (91 points)
This wine is a real bargain but needs some cellar time to open up. I won't sample another one of these for 2 years.
Good advice for 2011 is don't worry about the label, producer, etc. but trust your palate first.
Cheers,
John Glas
Wineglas
Here are 2 wines in particular that are outstanding for the money:
2007 Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 140 - USA, California, Sonoma County, Chalk Hill (2/3/2011)Dark purple. Beautiful aromas of cherry, dust, violets and spice. On the palate spice, cherry, dust, violets and raspberries. Great acidity and soft/medium tannins. This is a true drink me now wine that has to be one of the best values I have ever tasted. A strong candiate for wine of the year at this price point. This is better than the Lot 200 at this stage of the game. (93 points)
*Interesting to read other notes on Cellar Tracker as too many reviewers are influenced by low scores from critics. Wine Specatator 82 is a joke. I am buying a case of this wine at $12.96 a bottle. It is better than ajust about any Napa/Sonoma Cabernet I have ever tasted under $25. If I served this blind in a $60 Napa Cab tasting it would finish in the middle of the pack.
2008 Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 200 - USA, California, Napa Valley (1/1/2011)I let this 1st bottle air out and this is a day 4 review. Mocha, blackberries, spices, oak, vanilla and violets. If you drink this now I recommend a six hour decant. The wine is more concentrated and really showing like a $60 Napa Cabernet. Highly recommended wine at this point and I am glad I saved some for the experiment. (91 points)
This wine is a real bargain but needs some cellar time to open up. I won't sample another one of these for 2 years.
Good advice for 2011 is don't worry about the label, producer, etc. but trust your palate first.
Cheers,
John Glas
Wineglas
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Mini Offline with Spain
A nice tasting of Spanish Wines on Sunday, January 16 in the Twin Cities. As always with our mini offlines no corked bottles as the power of previewing prior to attending! All of the Spanish wines scored at least a 92 or higher.
•2000 Château Daugay - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Drinking well right now and interesting. Tobacco, menthol, cherry, spice and soy sauce. Tannins have softened and medium finish with plenty of flavors to go around. A really nice that should provide pleasure for an additional five years. (91 pts.)
•2004 Viñedos de Páganos Rioja El Puntido - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
Better than a year ago. Mineral, raspberry, spice and cherry on the nose. The palate has plenty of flavor but not as intense as the other Spanish wines sampled today. Medium finish and I would grab another one of these to see it develop in five years. Again not a 96 WE gave but it is growing on me. (92 pts.)
•2004 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva Culmen - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Very nice wine and plenty of structure to go the long haul. Cedar, cherry, floral, oak and intense spices. The wine had a really interesting floral aroma at the beginning but 2 hours later it blew off. The wine was drinking better up front so I would recommend a light decant. (93 pts.)
•2004 Bodegas y Viñedos Maurodos Toro Viña San Román - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Second time tasting this wine and it is great. Raspberry, wood, spice and floral notes dominate the nose and palate. A few times we agreed it might be slightly corked but it was really the wood quality of the wine. This should age nicely for a decade or more. Very well made. (94 pts.)
•2001 Clos Mogador Priorat Manyetes - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
The most old world of the bunch. Tobacco, floral, forest floor and cherry. The palate is intense and flavorful with additional wood quality coming into the picture. Medium finish and still tannic. Decanted 2 hours and this should further evolve with some time. (93 pts.)
•2006 Bodegas AAlto Ribera del Duero AAlto - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Decanted 2 hours. Wonderful right off the bat but declined two hours later so my advice is one hour decant and drink. Floral, raspberries, spice and minerals. Big mouthful and long finish. I have been impressed with every vintage I have sampled of the AAlto base wines. For $35 well worth the price. (94 pts.)
•2005 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Termanthia - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Improved over time and needs to be cellared for a while. Spice, menthol, dirt, raspberry, oak and vanilla. On the palate it picked up some sweet fruits and has a medium to long finish. Do decant a while at least 3 hours as it got better over time. (92 pts.)
•2002 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Medium gold. Aromas of honey, peach floral and apricots. The palate is light overall with honey, peach cobbler, floral and minerals. Short to medium finish. I would not site on this vintage for more than five years as the acidity is declining since the last time I sampled this wine. (90 pts.)
•2000 Château Daugay - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Drinking well right now and interesting. Tobacco, menthol, cherry, spice and soy sauce. Tannins have softened and medium finish with plenty of flavors to go around. A really nice that should provide pleasure for an additional five years. (91 pts.)
•2004 Viñedos de Páganos Rioja El Puntido - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
Better than a year ago. Mineral, raspberry, spice and cherry on the nose. The palate has plenty of flavor but not as intense as the other Spanish wines sampled today. Medium finish and I would grab another one of these to see it develop in five years. Again not a 96 WE gave but it is growing on me. (92 pts.)
•2004 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva Culmen - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Very nice wine and plenty of structure to go the long haul. Cedar, cherry, floral, oak and intense spices. The wine had a really interesting floral aroma at the beginning but 2 hours later it blew off. The wine was drinking better up front so I would recommend a light decant. (93 pts.)
•2004 Bodegas y Viñedos Maurodos Toro Viña San Román - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Second time tasting this wine and it is great. Raspberry, wood, spice and floral notes dominate the nose and palate. A few times we agreed it might be slightly corked but it was really the wood quality of the wine. This should age nicely for a decade or more. Very well made. (94 pts.)
•2001 Clos Mogador Priorat Manyetes - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
The most old world of the bunch. Tobacco, floral, forest floor and cherry. The palate is intense and flavorful with additional wood quality coming into the picture. Medium finish and still tannic. Decanted 2 hours and this should further evolve with some time. (93 pts.)
•2006 Bodegas AAlto Ribera del Duero AAlto - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Decanted 2 hours. Wonderful right off the bat but declined two hours later so my advice is one hour decant and drink. Floral, raspberries, spice and minerals. Big mouthful and long finish. I have been impressed with every vintage I have sampled of the AAlto base wines. For $35 well worth the price. (94 pts.)
•2005 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Termanthia - Spain, Castilla y León, Toro
Improved over time and needs to be cellared for a while. Spice, menthol, dirt, raspberry, oak and vanilla. On the palate it picked up some sweet fruits and has a medium to long finish. Do decant a while at least 3 hours as it got better over time. (92 pts.)
•2002 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Medium gold. Aromas of honey, peach floral and apricots. The palate is light overall with honey, peach cobbler, floral and minerals. Short to medium finish. I would not site on this vintage for more than five years as the acidity is declining since the last time I sampled this wine. (90 pts.)
Monday, January 10, 2011
A nice meal at McCormick & Schmick's
On 12/20 three of us dined at McCormick & Schmick's in Edina for lunch and had a very nice meal. We were able to get the corkage fee reduced to $15 and brought in a very nice Pinot Noir.
2006 MacPhail Pinot Noir Pratt Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (12/22/2010)A ripe style but balanced overall and no heat. Cherry, strawberry, blackberries, floral and mild oak on the nose and palate. Concentrated finish and went really well with grilled salmon. (92 points)
I started off with a bowl of the Clam Chowder ($5.50) and it was really well made and creamy. A nice alternative to a salad.
For my lunch entree I went with the Atlantic Salmon ($13.95) which came with fresh, steamed, vegetables. It was fresh fish and nicely grilled. The pairing with the Pinot was perfect.
Others order the Tartare ($9.95) which was wonderful and the fried shrimp ($13.95) was also good. Their French Fries were crisp and nicely salted.
Overall the meal was excellent and grand total for three people with tax, tip, corkage and wine was: $110 for three people
Service was average and stemware needs improvements.
2006 MacPhail Pinot Noir Pratt Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (12/22/2010)A ripe style but balanced overall and no heat. Cherry, strawberry, blackberries, floral and mild oak on the nose and palate. Concentrated finish and went really well with grilled salmon. (92 points)
I started off with a bowl of the Clam Chowder ($5.50) and it was really well made and creamy. A nice alternative to a salad.
For my lunch entree I went with the Atlantic Salmon ($13.95) which came with fresh, steamed, vegetables. It was fresh fish and nicely grilled. The pairing with the Pinot was perfect.
Others order the Tartare ($9.95) which was wonderful and the fried shrimp ($13.95) was also good. Their French Fries were crisp and nicely salted.
Overall the meal was excellent and grand total for three people with tax, tip, corkage and wine was: $110 for three people
Service was average and stemware needs improvements.
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