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)
