Cos D’Estournel 2001

26 Saturday May 2012

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We started our party off with this Second Growth Bordeaux. I bought a case of it many years ago and was waiting patiently for the right time- wow… This is some really good stuff that got very good professional scores when released. A suggested drinking window from 2010-2030 isn’t far off, but my opinion is that it will start to please the palate by 2014. The tannic structure is beautiful, yet still untamed. On the nose, red fruits and leather? On the palate, very balanced with bluer fruit showing. A long finish and imperceptible acidity are hallmarks of this well made wine of excellent pedigree. Overshadowed by the 2000 vintage, ’01 wines from Bordeaux are approaching maturity faster and providing great value for money. A 5 star wine that I would concur is a 93-94 point wine. Only problem, I now have 11 bottles and not a dozen. Loving it!

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Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz 2008

24 Thursday May 2012

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A Reserve offering from the Barossa in Australia that got a 92 rating. Not from me, of course as I’m no pro. I just don’t get it. Very light on the nose, the initial taste is of smooth, somewhat subdued Aussie Shiraz- which is a good thing. They usually present themselves in an over-the-top, jammy style that we are all tired of. However, there’s not much of interest here, nothing jumps out and says ” I’m worthy of Reserve status”. It’s just kinda ordinary. I can’t even pinpoint the flavors, but will say that it has a decent tannic structure and should hit stride by 2014-2018. What to drink with? Hmmmm, perhaps a fatty cut of beef to help balance the tannins and not overtake the flavors of the meat. It’s not really a sipping wine and weighs in at 14.5% alcohol- beware. I’m thinking a 2 star wine and my own rating of 86 points- a major disappointment. Sorry guys, just not in love with it.

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Doctor Duncan

21 Monday May 2012

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This past weekend was quite a busy, yet rewarding weekend. Our best friend’s son graduated from Medical School as a newly minted Doctor. I could go into detail but will give you the quick bits. We have known him since he was a shy 8 year old, watching him go on to GW University, a stint at Oxford and back to DC to enroll in Georgetown. Quite an accomplishment and something to be proud of.
His family all came into town so we hosted a party for 20 on Saturday night. I delved deep into my cellar and you can read about those gems later. Meanwhile, Moxie got busy making her own version of Operation Cake. Yes, the nose lights up and buzzes. I’m really proud of her artistic talents. BTW we served up some awesome Beef Tenderloins that I grilled on the trusty Weber, cause red meat is what I needed for the massive amounts of fine Bordeaux we drank!

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Bel-Air Lussac ’04

14 Monday May 2012

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There are numerous Chateau Bel-Air’s out there. This one happens to be from Lussac, St. Emilion. From magnum, I popped and poured this 8 year old in hopes of brilliance. I am slightly disappointed, but still enjoying. Probably not expensive, it has been in my cellar and almost forgotten for 5 years. The initial nose is very interesting, yielding bluish fruit and a typical Merlot-from-the-right bank kinda smell. On the palate, the fruit doesn’t shine, slightly overshadowed by an imbalance of acidity, but good tannins. This one could last at least 5 more years and maybe flesh out a little to disperse the awkwardness. A guess at its price would give me s decent bottle worthy of 3 stars but needing some cellar time. If I were a pro, a solid 86 pointer and a recommended buy if the price is right.

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Montgras Merlot Reserva ’11

10 Thursday May 2012

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The fourth wine in our tasting, the Reserva Merlot from Colchagua in Chile.  A decent bottle, but not really sure where they come up with calling it a reserve wine.  Lots of blue fruit and a nice nose give way to a basic Merlot that is pretty well balanced and has a gentle tannic structure.  Not for the long term, it will bring instant gratification to a party and not break the bank.  In the mouth, the Merlot is tasty, in that South American kind of way.  I did not detect any off-balance, but the lack of much acidity makes me wonder if this wine is able to last past……  Who knows, just get some to pop and pour- you won’t be disappointed.  3 stars from me and potentially an 86 point wine if they ever score it.

Rosemount Cabernet-Merlot ’11

10 Thursday May 2012

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A new label perhaps?  I tried to find out from the producer’s website about the details on this one, but it seems they are revamping the whole look of their web presence and are in the process of updating it.  Going forward, this was a pretty good wine.  Blended from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it has a fruity nose and nice mouthfeel.  Tannins in check, and a balance in the mid palate, I would say it is a textbook attempt at making an everyday crowd pleaser.  It just lacks something for me however, not sure what.  My guess is that this winery is pumping out loads of wine and has an established taste profile they are trying to achieve.  Boring to me and not one I would be giving as a gift, but probably a good party wine.  It is easy to drink and will pair with most meats, but forget about cellaring potential as it was not made for that.  A solid 85 pointer and 3 stars make this wine a decent buy for the cost that won’t embarrass you at a social gathering.

Apothic Red ’10

10 Thursday May 2012

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A blend from California of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and the peppery Zinfandel that pops out at 13.1% alcohol. First impression, sweeeeet. Not my style and over the top with dark berry fruit. Decent structure and smooth tannins make this a wine that can be enjoyed for what it is, an everyday drinker that will appeal to the beginner. No complexity was noted and for under $10, none was expected. I really can’t think of what to pair this with as the sweetness was cloying and that would overshadow most grilled meats. As a stand-alone drinker, I got bored with it after my first glass. I think this would be an 80- point wine, but only 1 star in my books. I will pass on it in the future.

Liberty School Cabernet ’09

05 Saturday May 2012

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From Paso Robles, this reasonably priced offering will be sure to please in a casual drinking atmosphere. For $10, you get a basic wine that gives loads of dark fruit, easy going tannins and a pleasant mouthfeel. Not complex, I would serve it all day long at a grilling party. With decent acidity and the fullness of fruit, I think it is a good 3 star effort worthy of 85 points. Don’t cellar this one, as it was meant for pop-n-pour pleasure.

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Cupcake Red Velvet ’11

05 Saturday May 2012

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I was a little puzzled about this wine, which was a gift. Unmistakeable Syrah was my downfall. I had to revert to a little Internet sleuthing to discover no Syrah, but a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. The use of the word Velvet is actually not too far off, it is pretty smooth. With not much complexity, slight tannins but a good balance- it goes down like velvet. Others did not like this wine or loved it, not many in the middle of the road. I am thinking four stars- its a damn fine drop for the price and for what it is. Drink it soon as the backbone was not made for aging, but for immediate pleasure. It has good acidity and a prolonged after taste, which surprises me. For about $10, you are sure to please a crowd with this gem that has gobs of dark berries, and a smooth mouthfeel. I would hazard a guess at 88 points on a pro level- I’m liking it. Well done you Cupcake peeps.

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Dominus ’99

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

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This is the wine I chose to celebrate my birthday with, the last of my case. A Cali Cab from the fabled Mouiex family, it certainly garners respect and good ratings from the pro’s. Asking price- currently up to $150 per. My opinion, skip it. It is neither blockbuster Napa Cab, or characteristic of a good Bordeaux, but something in the middle. Gentle tannins have kept this wine upright with good acidity holding it together. A pleasant nose gives way to a medium bodied palate of subdued fruit. No secondary flavors a la Old World, and no bright fruit that you would expect from its origin. It started out a little rustic, but opened up in 20 minutes, keep that in mind if you have some. I would say it could last another 5 years, but I can’t see any complexity building. 3 stars and 87 points, the pro’s all went 91…

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