grapevine: hear.it.first

Posts Tagged ‘north coast’

2007 Trefethen Estate Dry Riesling

Monday, April 13th, 2009

89/B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 02 Apr 2009

Pale lime green core with a clear rim. Sweet honeysuckle aromas are backed by lemon and lime with ripe honeydew melon and a touch of petrol. Passion fruit on the front palate is quickly joined by juicy lime with notes of honeysuckle. Good acid and body with just a faint hint of sweetness on the back end.

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2006 Landmark Chardonnay Overlook

Monday, April 13th, 2009

89/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 11 Feb 2009

Pale gold core with a bright lemon rim. Youthful aromas of lemons and cream are surrounded by toasty oak, ripe tangerine and yellow pear. Round and full-bodied with lots of cream and toasty oak up front. Lemon and white peach swarm in on the mid-palate and lead to a long vanilla finish.

Made mostly of grapes from Sonoma County (77%) but with a healthy does of Santa Barbara County (14%) and Monterey County (9%) as well.

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2006 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon

Monday, April 13th, 2009

90/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Feb 2009

Deep ruby and purple core with a wide ruby rim. Vanilla, fresh oak and a touch of earthy aromas surround a bold core of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and plum. Lush and fruity on the palate entry with a solid core of ripe and approachable tannins. Creamy vanilla surrounds plush cherry and blackberry with a touch of smoke. Spicy cedar lingers on the finish.

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2005 J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Monday, April 13th, 2009

90/B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 12 Mar 2009

The wine is an opaque deep purple in the glass surrounded by a tiny bright ruby rim. Warm, rich and opulent aromas of blackberry and chocolate are wrapped in crème de cassis and accented by a touch of wet stone. Black cherry and cassis jump on the front of the tongue, and are nicely balanced by the acid. Ripe, soft tannins support the body yet make it approachable now. A touch of cedar and toasty vanilla come in on the finish.

A blend of 77.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22.5% Petite Sirah. Aged for 18 months in 100% new French Oak barrels.

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2002 Roederer Estate l’Ermitage Brut

Monday, April 13th, 2009

91/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Feb 2009

Medium lemon green color with tons of very persistent, tiny bubbles. Raspberry aromas flow from the glass and are quickly surrounded by biscuit, lemon, yellow apple and a touch of wet stone. Creamy entry in the mouth with a hint of raspberry followed by lemon and lime zest. The little bubbles fill the mouth, and the flavors linger with a touch of toast and vanilla.

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2007 Neyers Old Lakeville Road Syrah

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

91 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 16 Jan 2009

Dark inky purple with a bright fuchsia rim. Tons of orange zest in the nose supported by dark blackberry, blueberry and rich caramel. Thick entry on the palate with fruit that unfolds from front to back. Plum, caramel, blackberry and boysenberry fill the mouth. Still very young with lots of fine grained tannins, balanced oak and a nice underlying acidity. Lingering spicy dark fruit finish.

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2007 Loring Wine Co Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

93 / A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Jan 2009

Medium purple core with a pink rim. Big candied blackberry, raspberry and cherry fruit explodes on the nose, surrounded by cola and orange zest with a nice lifted rose petal note. Very floral on the front palate with roses swimming around orange and raspberry. Very young, with just a hint of oak spice coming through. Great complexity and balance front to back; great for drinking now, and will keep getting better over the next 3 - 5 years.

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2004 Havens Bourriquot

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

91 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 16 Jan 2009

Dark ruby core with a medium rim. Cola and black cherry aromas are surrounded by fresh new oak, all underscored by burnt charcoal and a hint of crushed violets. Smooth entry on the palate with ripe red and black cherries accented by sweet marjoram and other herbs. A touch of dark earth on the mid-palate gives way to spicy cedar on the finish.

70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot.

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2006 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

90 / A

Tasted by Mike Supple - 16 Jan 2009

Dark purple core with a bright ruby rim. Dark cherry and cassis aromas are surrounded by roasted oak and cinnamon with crushed stones, fresh ground coffee beans and a bright violet lift. Smooth entry on the palate with wet stones over bright cherry and plum. Medium to full bodied with great acid and tannins. A nice spicy fruit finish that lasts for several seconds. Delicious.

Martini consistently produces a Cabernet from Sonoma that over delivers for the price, and the 2006 is a hands down winner. Juicy and fresh with good structure, this is a wine that you can open for a group and keep pouring all night. Great acidity makes it easy to drink and pair with tons of different foods. Not too heavy to open before dinner, and can easily transition into any dish with cheese, tomatoes, beef, sausage, or eggplant. Also a great accompaniment for just kicking back in front of the TV and ordering Domino’s off your Tivo.

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2004 Saddleback Cellars Merlot

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

89 / B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 15 Dec 2008

Dark core with a garnet and ruby rim. Very ripe fruit aromas of blueberry and cassis. Fresh and lively, backed by a touch of nutmeg and cream. Juicy in the mouth with tons of blueberry up front. Lots of tannins making it a well structured wine. A hint of tobacco and burnt coffee come in on the back, with a lingering cherry finish.

It’s worth mentioning that this is 100% Merlot (all of the Saddleback wines that are listed as specific varietals are 100%). Wineries can legally blend in up to 25% of something else without mentioning it on the label. I have nothing against blends, I just like to know what I’m drinking!

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