DAWGS APRIL 2008 - NAPA AVA - Hector's on Henderson, Dallas, Texas (4/16/2008)

The theme for our April wine dinner was any wine from the Napa AVA with an emphasis on tasting wines that are not Cabernet Sauvignon based.

Now onto the show...

• 2006 Selene Sauvignon Blanc Hyde Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
  WIML88
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of grapefruit and peach. Flavors of peach, lime and grapefruit. Light acidity and body. Drink now. (88 pts.)
• 2003 Kongsgaard Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML92
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of creme, flowers, talc and a hint of hazlenut. Flavors of yellow pears, apples, some light pepper notes and a hint of minerals. Light to medium acidity, medium to full body. Drink over the short to medium term. (92 pts.)
• 2002 Shafer Firebreak - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of pepper, black licorice, black cherry and a hint of smoke. Flavors of black berries, black cherries, some currants and a peppery finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
• 2002 Havens Wine Cellars Bourriquot - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. 52% Cabernet France, 48% Merlot. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Subdued nose of black berries, a hint of balsalmic and a tiny bit of cocoa. Flavors of black berries, licorice and a touch of bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
• 2004 Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon EII Napa Valley Red Wine - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of boysenberry, violets, anise and briar patch. Flavors of boysenberry, black berries and black cherries. Light to medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
• 1994 Beringer Vineyards Merlot Bancroft Ranch - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
  WIMLNR
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Just a tiny bit corky on the nose, a tad greehish with muted fruit. No rating as a result. NR (flawed)
• 1997 Paradigm Merlot - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
  WIML89
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of saddle soap, black berries, a hint of candied fruits and a little perfume. Flavors of black berries and raspberries. Medium acidity, integrated tannins, medium body. Drink now. (89 pts.)
• 2002 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML91
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of tar, mixed dark fruits, a bit of potpourri and a dash of white pepper. Flavors of currants and black cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2004 Del Dotto Cabernet Franc - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML90
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of dried herbs, black licorice, florals and mixed berries. Flavors of licorice, berries and touch of raspberries on the medium finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)
• 2002 Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc - USA, California, Sonoma County
  WIML91-92
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black currants, black licorice, violets and pepper. Flavors of currants, berries and a hint of jaminess. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)
• 2003 La Sirena Syrah - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIMLNR
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Muted nose giving way to some light notes of chocolate and spice. Also came across as a little hot on the nose. Muted flavors on the palate showing some notes of berries and cherries with some bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, medium body. Either heat damaged or just flat out an off bottle so no rating. NR (flawed)
• 2001 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIMLNR
  
  Not quite tasted April 16, 2008. Horribly corked. NR (flawed)
• 2001 Neal Family Cabernet Sauvignon Second Chance Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak
  WIML92
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened a decanted about 2 hours before serving. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of briar patch, saddle leather, anise and dark fruits. Flavors of plums, black cherries, black berries and just a little bitters on the medium to long finish. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink with a long decant or continue to hold. (92 pts.)
• 2005 Paloma Syrah Palomita Hamilton Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
  WIML90?
  
  Tasted April 16, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple to dark purple color in the glass, clear hut throughout. First whiff and you say to yourself "what the heck?". Big nose with a strong aroma right up front of buttered microwave popcorn followed by some notes of blueberries, currants, dark chocolate and pepper. Flavors of black berries, black cherries and a little bitters on the finish. Also noted what tasted like mint on the tip of the tongue. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Drink with an extended decant or continue to hold. (90 pts.)