• 1996 Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Le Reve - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros (2/11/2006)
  1996 Domaine Carneros Le Rêve Carneros
  WIML90,NOWA,WS90
  Tasted February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Champagne flute. Attractive light yellow to yellow color in the glass. Citrus fruits on the nose with a little mushroom. Yellow apples, pears and citrus on the palate. Nicely done. Drink over the short term. (90 pts.)
  
• N.V. Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve - France, Champagne (2/11/2006)
  NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Champagne Réserve
  WIML90,NOWA,WS86/91
  Tasted February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Reidel Vinum Champagne flute. Light yellow to yellow color in the glass. Light toast notes on the nose with apples and citrus fruits on the palate. Solid value, good house champagne. Drink over the short term. (90 pts.)
  

• 1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District (2/12/2006)
  1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
  WIML90,WA90,WS93
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Bigger nose that the other wines tasted so far. Lots of dark fruits and mint on the nose. Flavors of black cherries, cassis, a dask of bitters. Reminds me of a mountain fruit wine. Definitely a Califonia CS from the 1999 vintage. Candidate for top three voting. (90 pts.)
  
• 1999 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve - USA, California, Central Coast (2/12/2006)
  1999 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve
  WIML89,WA87-88,WS94
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Nose of bell pepper and cassis. Flavors of red cherries, a bit thin. Not very impressive for a wine of this caliber. Yes, I know this is the 1999 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. I know because I brought it and still have two left in the cellar. (89 pts.)
  
• 1993 Jarvis Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (2/11/2006)
  1993 Jarvis Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
  WIML90,WA87,WS88
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Nose of crushed red cherries and scorched earth. Pretty chewy red fruits on the palate. Drinks like a young California wine but could be an older California wine that was big and chewy upon release. Confusing. Candidate for top three voting. (90 pts.)
  
• 1996 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (2/11/2006)
  1996 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
  WIML90,WA92,WS92
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Bigger nose that most wines tonight, smoky, crushed cherries over a little heat. Flavors of black cherry, red cherry and eucalyptus. Interesting wine. Definitely a youthful California CS. We’ll stick with 1999 on principle. (90 pts.)
  
• 1999 Cardinale Red Wine - USA, California, Napa Valley (2/11/2006)
  1999 Cardinale Napa-Sonoma Counties
  WIML90,WA93,WS92
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dark fruits on the nose, big juicy wine. Flavors of black cherries, currants, etc… Definitely a California CS, likely from the 1999 vintage. Candidate for top three voting. (90 pts.)
  
• 1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (2/11/2006)
  1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley The Montelena Estate
  WIML89.WA98,WS95
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Band aid nose does not bode well for this wine (others said it blew off towards the end of the evening). Red cherries and red licorice on the palate. Definitely California CS, 1999 vintage is likely. NOTE: I was disappointed when I saw this wine unwrapped. Not a good showing in my opinion. (89 pts.)
  
• 1997 Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (2/11/2006)
  1997 Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
  WIML89,WA89,WS90-94
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dusty nose with some menthol and leather notes. Dominant flavor of black cherry on the palate. Decent wine. Definitely California CS, likely a recent vintage like 1999. (89 pts.)
  
• 1998 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (2/11/2006)
  1998 PlumpJack Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
  WIML89,WA89-90,WS88
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Tight nose, showing some black cherry and anise. Simple flavors of mixed black and red cherries. OK. California CS, likely 1999 vintage. (89 pts.)
  
• 1994 V. Sattui Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (2/11/2006)
  1994 V. Sattui Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Morisoli Vineyard
  WIML88,NOWA,WS88
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Tight nose, not giving up a lot. Maybe some cherry and bell pepper. Drying tannins on the palate. Cherries, eucalyptus and red berries. OK wine. Most likely an aged California Cabernet Sauvignon, maybe the 1995 vintage. (88 pts.)
  
• 1995 Château Saint-Pierre - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (2/11/2006)
  1995 Château St.-Pierre St.-Julien
  WIML88,WA88,WS90
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Bretty nose. Thin red cherry and menthol on the palate. Pass. No guess on origin or vintage. Weird wine. (88 pts.)
  
• 1997 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Jack London Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/11/2006)
  1997 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley Jack London Vineyard
  WIML87,NOWA,WS89
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Bretty, funky nose. A little bitter black cherry on the palate. Pass is my recommendation. Likely a California CS from the 1999 vintage. (87 pts.)
  
• 1996 Château Caronne Ste. Gemme - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (2/11/2006)
  1996 Château Caronne-Ste.-Gemme Haut-Médoc
  WIML85/86,WA86,WS90
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Bretty, funky nose is a bit offputting. Fairly simple cherries and red berries on the palate. I’d pass myself. Definitely French, likely the 1995 vintage. (85 pts.)
  
• 1999 Château Léoville Poyferré - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (2/11/2006)
  1999 Château Léoville Poyferré St.-Julien
  WIML85/86,WA89,WS87
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Bretty nose, not much more. Simple red cherry flavors on the palate. Could be a Frenchie but why break our streak of 1999 California CS? Pass. (85 pts.)
  
• 1995 Château Pavie Decesse - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion (2/11/2006)
  1995 Château Pavie-Decesse St.-Emilion
  WIML84/85,WA82,WS91
  Tasted double blind on February 11, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Tight nose, virtually non-existent. Earthy, tannic palate. Not recommended. Difficult to tell origin or vintage. Sticking with California CS from 1999 but who knows. (84 pts.)
  

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Great notes Joe.

About the Sattui... he is infamous for making his wines on the sweet side. Is that sweetness there more than in most of the others?

I vaguely remember yes, slightly so.

What is the blend on the '99 Cardinale? I'm wondering if Cab is the predominant grape.

Can't say.

Did anyone get Sonoma as the origin of the StoneStreet?

Can't say.

I always say that there is no such thing as a good Ca Cab made outside of Napa Valley (save Monte Bello) but StoneStreet comes as close as any.

Cardinale is a Kendall/Jackson wine. Isn't the StoneStreet also?

Don't know.

I'm surprised the Plumpjack wasn't in the top five. You don't mention it but I assume this was a bottle with a cork (not the screw cap).

Cork

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Gee.... Thanks Joe for your wonderful response

Let's see... "Vaguely remember". Are you misleading us with indirect answers? Maybe it was or on the other hand...

"Can't say"... Are you taking the fifth or drinking the fifth?

"Cork"... You're sure about that?

Cork you too