FINE WHITES AND MOSTLY CALI REDS - Castle Hill Restaurant; Austin Texas (6/28/2006)

Wednesday night "Wine Fights" resumed this week with a group of nine at Castle Hill in Austin, TX. Most wines were decanted and served but there were a couple that were served double blind (noted in the TNs). We welcomed ChicagoWineGeek from the Windy City. Per his reputation he brought some "BIG" reds. I was chatting away so my notes are pretty sparse. In a bizarre note all nine people ordered the same entree, something that is probably not very common.

Bubbles and whites with appetizers

• N.V. Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut - France, Champagne
  This was a very good bottle of Bolly NV. Very good with food. (91 pts.)
• 1998 Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Sable - France, Champagne, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, Champagne
  This was a very good bottle of champagne. Texturally it was more creamy than a previous bottle with ripe pears, brioche and mineral flavors. Its flavor profile and style were similar to Salon. It's really too bad there isn't more of this to be found in the USA as it was an amazing deal for the quality. (93 pts.)
• 2004 Schäfer-Fröhlich Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Nahe, Bockenauer
  Very pale yellow color. It had white flowers and grass, maybe hay on the nose with apple and mineral flavors. Slightly spritzy. Fine for a Kabinett. Drinking well now. (88 pts.)
• 2002 Franciscan Oakville Estate Chardonnay Cuvée Sauvage Wild Yeast - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
  Good chardonnay with vanilla aromas and honey flavors. It lacked acidity to balance out the sweet tastes from the oak. Drinking well now. (88 pts.)
  

Reds with everyone's Beef Tenderloin

• 2002 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Hollerin' M - USA, Oregon, Yamhill County
  Too much alcohol on the finish ruined this wine for me. There is no style or complexity in this wine other than full-throttle Pinot. It was our bottle and I'm glad this was the last one. Will it improve? Probably not. My score would be lower but that would take into account a stylistic preference. (88 pts.)
• 1999 Arietta Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Dark purple in color; This wine had a phenomenal nose of blackberries and florals leading into the palate which added smoke and mineral taste. It was balanced and interesting. I generally don't care for Cali Merlot but this was drinking great. Stylistically more like a European merlot. Drinking well now. (93 pts.)
• 1998 Harlan Estate The Maiden - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Dark purple in color and served double blind. On the nose it was clearly a Bordeaux blend and probably Cali with the extravagant fruit. It had anise and blackberries on the nose with a green herbal flavors. The flavors were too chunky and disjointed to merit a higher score but it had a unique flavor profile. We were very surprised when it was revealed to be the 98 Maiden. It's probably time to drink up on these. (92 pts.)
• 1999 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Probably closer to 91. Very smooth cab drinking very well now. I don't have more descriptors because I don't find most Pride wines very remarkable though pleasurable. To each their own. (90 pts.)
• 2002 Henschke Euphonium Keyneton Estate - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
  Served double blind. Other than thinking it was a blend I really had no idea what this was. Mr. Winetex did better on the blind guessing Shiraz/Syrah then Australia. Garnet in color. Well-balanced, good quality wine. This could use additional bottle age as there may be potential for improvement. (89 pts.)
• 1999 Robert Biale Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
  From a signed magnum. Very nicely aged Zin, smooth and not overly alcholic. Tasty. Drink up if you still have them. (90 pts.)
• 2003 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon IX Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley
  Served double blind. It was obvious that it was Cali cab. Beyond that there weren't many clues. I did not rate this wine because I believe it was slightly corked or otherwise damaged due to the complete lack of fruit. It had no nose other than a bit of oak and the only discernible flavor was coffee then it was gone. Thanks to CWG who so kindly brought this wine.
  

Desserts

• 1998 Château de Fargues - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes (93 pts.)
  

Other than a puzzling occurrence with the sommelier a great time was had by all.

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