Blue Oval of the Chicago Wine Mafia brought his own little mafia to the Valley this week. A dinner was setup, and if you follow the WS Forums you probably saw the thread on it. The dinner was at All Seasons Bistro in Calistoga, organized by pyang.
In attendance; Blue Oval (and cousins, all 9 of 'em), Stealthman, Redwingstoneware and fiance (or wifey, or gf... i'm not sure), pyang, and myself.
I wrote down all but one of the wines, which was a sparkler from Michigan that ran out before I got a chance to taste it (le sigh)... it smelled really good though. A Riesling / Pinot Noir blend.
1994 Iron Horse Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine
Pale Yellow, bright & shiny complexion
Apricot, Pear, Fig, Toast, Nutty Aromas
Creamy mouthfeel, uplifting sensation.
Very nicely made, harmonious.
1995 Pomeray Champagne
Clear, Transluccent complexion
Lots of yeast, a little lemon, and oats
Striking acidity, yeast overpowers a bit
Nice champagne, nonetheless. Needs a lot more time.
1988 Salon Champagne
Pale-Pale Yellow, bright complexion
toast, stone fruit, citrus notes
Creamy palate, toast is prevalent with a little cherry action in the back. It's a champagne that shows it's age. Very Nice.
1969 Inglenook Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark Ruby Red, Fading Edges
Chocolate, Anise, raspberries, black currant, cinnamon, star anise & prune notes
Medium bodies, chocolate and dried fruit on the palate. Tannins are still kicking.
Balanced, and beautiful. You wouldn't have guessed it was 35 years old.
2001 Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese
Clear, bright, translucent complexion
Extremely heady nose, flora, stone fruit, wet stone, orange zest, tons of spice, apricot, white peaches
Juicy palate, excellent structure. Creamy palate.
Very Nice. Balanced, long finish.
1997 Chateau Arnaud de Jacquemeau - Saint Emillion Grand Cru (Interesting to note that this is a Cab Sauv, Malbec, and PINOT NOIR blend)
Ruby red, fading edges, clear complexion
Cedar, chocolate, tobacco, blueberry, ripe cherry a little vanilla, mineral notes
Medium body, juicy bluberry fruit, a little tannin structure, condensed, earth palate. A bit tight.
Balanced, and good.
1994 Opus One
Dark ruby red, fading edges.
Cedar, dark berries, mint, strawberries, spicebox, black currants, star anise
lively tannins, juicy, tobacco, leather and minerals on the palate
Good finish, Very Nice wine. Balanced.
1994 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark Purple, fading edges, bright complexion... you would have never guessed this was 10 years old.
Cedar, leather, mineral, blueberry, white chocolate, vanilla and spice notes
creamy mouthfeel, good strong tannins, big wine.
A tad bit alcoholic on the finish, but very nice indeed.
1999 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark purple, bright complexion
lots of dark berry fruit and a little vegetable action goin on
juicy, fruit forward, cluster of spice on the palate. Big.
Long finish, very nice.
2000 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Inky blackish purple
lush, sweet blueberry, vanilla, white chocolate, leather, cedar notes
rich, creamy palate, strong tannins with a little oak in the back. Is a bit edgy, and definatly needs more time. But this wine is pretty damn slammin.
1999 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark red, fading edges, bright complexion
lush berry, dark fruit, spice, subtle blueberry, raspberry, vanilla, spicey cocoa and coffee notes.
You would swear this was a barrel sample. It tastes like it's right out of the barrel. It is a bit astringent, but it's such a beautiful wine.
1997 Sherwin Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Inky black, light purple edges
Cedar, black currant, leather, blackberry blueberry notes
bih, juicy palate w/ a little fresh herb action. Excellent tannin structure.
Beautiful wine, very nice. Long long finish.
1998 Sherwin Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark red, bright complexion
Meaty, spicey, berry and bayleaf notes
Medium - Big bodied, spice & fruit action. Softer than the `97, but still very very good.
Good finish, very nice.
1999 Sherwin Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Reddish purple, bright complexion
Meaty, blackberry, raspberries and chocolate, fresh herbs, bayleaf
It attacks your palate, big, juicy with mouthwatering sensations that make you crave a steak.
Tight, but very nice.
2001 Sherwin Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark reddish brown. Fading edges
Tobacco, cedar, fresh berries, oak, herbs, meat, mint, chocolate notes
Big, huge palate, bunch of fruit, super tannins, spicey and meaty.
Balanced, good finish. Very Good.
1975 Leoville Les Cases - St Julien
Light purple, fading edges
black currant, mineral, leather, dried fruit, star anise, all spice, graphite
Medium bodied, spive driven with anise, clove and cinnamon in the forefront. Very nice structure. Smooth, elegant, harmonious wine.
Beautiful long finish.
1990 Lafaurie Peyraguey
Amber, clear, bright complexion
Nutty, peanut, coconut, white chocolate, honey, floral aromas
Dense, rich, lush and in complete harmony.
Very very nice.
1996 Chateau De Fesles Bonnezeaux
Straw yellow, bright complexion
wet stone, apricot, honey, raspberry, ripe red apple notes
Medium body, rich, floral, good acidity structure. Medium Dry, lots of sweetness to play with.
Balanced, beautifully made. Moelleux like.
1910 Inglenook Vineyards California Port
Light light red, pinkish, color.
Rich caramel, strawberries, raspberries, custardy, vanilla, cinnamon, clove notes
Smooth medium body. Sweet, rich, very lush. sticky.
Smooth, smoth wine. Long long finish. Excellent.
Now THAT was a treat!!!!! The cork was in amazing condition. Everything about this was special. I kept the bottle.
