Napa Tasting!

Went to a Napa Tasting Downtown, Very impressed, wish they had bread with the cheese pfft who doesn't serve bread with a cheese platter. Vinsanity...I know your reading and I know you work in Napa any of these wineries?

I must say after this event my Tongue was shot.... way to much Tannins but I did go to a tasting the next day [notes to come later]


TASTE NAPA VALLEY [VANCOUVER, CANADA] - Fairmont Hotel, Waterfront (10/29/2009)

Trade Tasting, Lots of Chardonnay were Over Oaked, but like one wine maker said thats what the American Palate likes and it sells. Not to me tho. Cabernet Sauvignon I found a lot better this year then last [maybe my palate] Felt like less Oak.

White Wines

• 2007 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay Karia - USA, California, Napa Valley
  My style of Chard, Less Oak. More Leaner, Green apples, awesome Acidity. Get oak on the nose more then anything (90 pts.)
• 2007 Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Oak on the Nose but on the Palate its Freshness, Clean Minerality Very Solid (90 pts.)
• 2006 Sterling Vineyards Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley (84 pts.)
• 2008 Miner Family Viognier Simpson Vineyard - USA, California, Central Valley, Madera
  Really Liking this, Fresh Papaya Coming through, Nice Roundness big good for a nice heavy chicken dish (89 pts.)
• 2007 Clos du Val Chardonnay Carneros - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
  Oak Yes, In Control Yes. (88 pts.)
• 2007 Pine Ridge Chardonnay Dijon Clones - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
  Yes Lots of Oak. If you like this style then your type of wine (87 pts.)

Red Wines

• 2006 Blackbird Vineyards Contrarian - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll
  This Compared to the Ullustration is Masculin, Dark, Earthy, Brooding, Spice Does have 30% Cab Franc and 30% Cab Sauv and rest Merlot (93 pts.)
• 2006 Blackbird Vineyards Illustration - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll
  Loved this wine, My Notes from the tasting were as followed "Beautiful" "Sexy" "Feminie" "Bright". Excellent Fruit, With Tobacco and Earth just Awesome (93 pts.)
• 2006 Blackbird Vineyards Merlot Arise - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll
  Pretty Nose, Soft Good Tannins, Approachable Soft Fruit. (90 pts.)
• 2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
  A Really Good Nose, good fruit Tobacco well made really nice. Tho I question the QPR. (92 pts.)
• 2006 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
  Sweet Tannins, Herbs Big Big Tannins (90 pts.)
• 2006 Shafer Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley (89 pts.)
• 2006 Shafer Relentless - USA, California, Napa Valley (90 pts.)
• 2006 Truchard Pinot Noir - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
  A: Raspberry, Pickles
  T: Raspberry Coulis
  
  Very Nice and for the Price Great (88 pts.)
• 2005 Truchard Syrah - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
  Smoke Meat, Good Nose, A Cool Climate Style I really enjoyed this wine. Was not over the top that some Warmer Syrahs can get (90 pts.)
• 2005 Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
  Good solid fruit, Finish is nice, Balance. Sweet Tannins (90 pts.)
• 2006 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain (90 pts.)
• 2006 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
  Dark and Brooding (90 pts.)
• 2006 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain (91 pts.)
• 2005 Miner Family The Oracle - USA, California, Napa Valley
  A: Herbaceous, Minty
  T: Good Sweet Tannins, Ripe Fruit [not over done] Good Acidity, BIg Wine (90 pts.)
• 2006 Miner Family Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
  Big Wine Red Fruit [Need Tannins to Mellow a Bit] (89 pts.)
• 2006 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
  A: Rich and Dark
  T: Red Fruit Balanced, Really Nice, Big Masculine but also Feminine a really interesting balance. Big Chewy Tannins tho (92 pts.)
• 2005 Barlow Vineyards Barrouge - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Really Feeling this wine, Nice Feminie Touch my style of Wine and for the price! QPR is fantastic [Napa QPR hah] (91 pts.)
• 2005 Barlow Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (89 pts.)
• 2006 Peju Province Winery Zinfandel - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Big Red Candy but in Control not over over the top (90 pts.)
• 2006 Peju Province Winery Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley (90 pts.)
• 2005 Peju Province Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (90 pts.)
• 2004 Bourassa Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot Harmony5 - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Elegant, Feminine, Med Body (90 pts.)
• 2005 Folie à Deux Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Napa Valley Estate Lewelling Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Red Candy (86 pts.)
• 2005 Rubicon Estate / Niebaum-Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon Cask - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
  Sweet Tannins, Very Nice (91 pts.)

Overall Impressed, tho the Price means I can not afford any of the wines really

Posted from CellarTracker

THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE (Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail.)
• Extraordinary (96-100 points)
• Outstanding (90-95)
• Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
• Good (80-84)
• Average (75-79)
• Below average (70-74)
• Avoid (50-70)

Globe in your Glass Tasting 2009

Well lets see how this post works trying something new from Cellartracker...well new just to blog posting. Went to a Wine Event sponsored by Vincor Canada called "Globe in your Glass" wines were ok.

I must say this is the first Time I have done a wine tasting at night where I am drinking its way different then a trade tasting.  I must say the trade tastings are a lot better.  Just different Atomsphere but neither is bad maybe Im just not use to be out that late or something way pass my bed time har.

• 2005 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E & E Black Pepper - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (10/29/2009)
  [only decanted for about 1.5hrs before hand] Very Subtle nose. On the Palate Tart Red Fruit, Litte Fruit Smooth yes. Bad QPR (88 pts.)
• 2007 Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc Proprietors' Reserve - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/29/2009) 85 pts.
  
• 2005 Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Really good minerality, mushroomy Nice Medium plus body (89 pts.)
• 2006 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): This wine definitely needs Decanting time. Its big a Brooding. Dark Chocolate, hint of Pickle, Mint. Soft Tannins. Well made for sure (89 pts.)
• 2006 Osoyoos Larose Petales d'Osoyoos - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Really liked this wine Lots of Fruit Easy to drink this you could sip just on its own. Just Cherry over Cherry (89 pts.)
• 2007 Inniskillin Chenin Blanc Discovery Series - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Aroma of a Creamy Mushroom Soup, Taste good fruit quality Round and Luscious, Good Ripe Acidity. Very Nice and Excellent QPR (89 pts.)
• 2005 Clos du Bois Merlot - USA, California, North Coast (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Good Fruit Varietal to Merlot, Little Spice in there. Over all Decent and a too boot Great QPR (88 pts.)
• 2005 Hogue Cellars Merlot Genesis - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Good Nose, little Earthy Light Fruit, Acid is good level, tanins and a nice finish lingers a bit a good QPR (88 pts.)
• 2006 Inniskillin Riesling Icewine - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Thick Viscousity, Lots of Acidity, tho off balance a bit and a touch of bitterness (88 pts.)
• 2006 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (10/28/2009) 88 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2006 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Earthy hint of green fruit. Good bitter cassism acid structure there tannins + (88 pts.)
• 2007 Banrock Station Chardonnay Unwooded - Australia, South Eastern (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Good Quality, Good Acidity, Nice Fruit Tropical a little Caramel Coming through but can't be from Oak. Very Nice, also good QPR (88 pts.)
• 2007 Kim Crawford Pinot Noir SP Rise and Shine Creek Central Otago - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Aromas of Dill Pickle Juice mixed with Cherry Fruit, nice tannin structure quiet big. Long Finish Very Interesting to say the least. Might not be everyones style but I enjoyed this (88 pts.)
• 2008 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Nice Acidity, good tropical concerated fruit. No greenness (88 pts.)
• 2006 Ravenswood Petite Sirah Vintners Blend - USA, California (10/28/2009) 87 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2008 See Ya Later Ranch (Hawthorne Mountain) Shiraz Rover - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Med Body, Good Acidity, Dry, Red fruit on finish. Cooler Climate Syrah (87 pts.)
• N.V. Sumac Ridge Tribute - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Decent but body is medium minus (87 pts.)
• 2006 Ravenswood Zinfandel Vintners Blend - USA, California (10/28/2009) 86 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2007 Hardys The Gamble - Australia, South Australia (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): A Chardonnay / Pinot Gris Blend, a interesting blend I kinda of Enjoyed this the Pinot GRis definitely adds nice Acidity and very fruity (86 pts.)
• 2008 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E Minor - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Good fruit, controlled not a fruit bomb, Acidity is there and nice grapey Tannin (86 pts.)
• 2008 See Ya Later Ranch (Hawthorne Mountain) Ping - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009) 86 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2007 Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc Proprietors' Reserve - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Candied Fruit, Little "Sticky" Taste, Good Acidity, Lemon Candied Peel pleasant (85 pts.)
• 2007 Nk'mip Cellars Chardonnay - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Technically Speaking a well made wine, but way to much Oak, Lots of Caramel. Touch of Fruit but its all hidden by the oak. Nice Big Body. (85 pts.)
• 2007 Nk'mip Cellars Pinot Noir Qwam Qwmt - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Muted earthy Aromas. Light Cherry in Taste Acid not there, tannins are decent tho. (85 pts.)
• 2007 Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California (10/28/2009) 85 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc SP - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): NZ Style Sauvignon Blanc for sure, Lots of Greenness, Green Peppers on the Nose and on the taste for days. Not my cup of tea (85 pts.)
• 2008 See Ya Later Ranch (Hawthorne Mountain) Riesling - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009) 83 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2007 Hardys Butcher's Gold - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu (10/28/2009) 82 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2008 See Ya Later Ranch (Hawthorne Mountain) Pinot 3 - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009) 82 pts.
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel)
• 2007 Nk'mip Cellars Pinot Blanc - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Subtle Pears, Light Very Light Finish almost Watery. (79 pts.)
• 2008 Banrock Station Shiraz - Australia, South Eastern (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Lots of Oak, Very Sweet. (79 pts.)
• 2008 Hardys Stamp of Australia Riesling Gewurztraminer - Australia, South Australia (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Nose was alright, Taste: Sweet Sugar Touch of Rubber nothing to write home about (79 pts.)
• 2007 Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer Private Reserve - Canada, British Columbia, Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Valley VQA (10/28/2009)
  the Globe in your Glass (Pan Pacific Hotel): Water thin nose showed promise but nothing on the taste (70 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

THE 100-POINT RATING SCALE (Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate describes this in more detail.)
• Extraordinary (96-100 points)
• Outstanding (90-95)
• Very Good to Excellent (85-89)
• Good (80-84)
• Average (75-79)
• Below average (70-74)
• Avoid (50-70)

Italian Wine Tasting 2009

Was held at the Terminal City Club, a Private Club you know for people with money to make connections mostly Professionals.  I know the Vancouver Club is more Lawyer based or I think they are.  Terminal City has a nice room very nice inside. Thumbs up

It was Italiano Day, Prosecco, Barolo, Sicilians, Amarones, Muscato D'Asti and everything else.
Lots of Good wines, lots of Ok wine not to many bad wines so thats good.  Tho it is depressing when you ask how much the wines Cost in Euro's and find out a 3.50EURO wine is selling for $17 in your Liquor Store, I know paying for shipping is a part of the cost but ugh taxes

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