Flight #1:
2000 Siduri Pisoni Pinot Noir
Dark ruby in color and slightly cloudy, nose of sour cherries and cocoa, with a rich intense palate. I really liked this wine, but it was up against some very stiff competition. 90+ points.
2001 Tandem Pisoni Pinot Noir
Deep and rich, an excellent palate showing a rich intensity of pure fruit, excellent balance, and a long finish. Terrific stuff, my #2 of the flight. 93 points.
1997 Marcassin Marcassin Vinyard Pinot Noir
Corked
2002 Loring Gary’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
Interesting nose of Rhubarb, sweet cherries, and candied fruit. Some cola notes, and plenty of sweet fruit, this was yummy, but still my #5 of the flight. 90 points.
2000 Sine Qua Non A Capella Pinot Noir
Nice dark color, nose of sweet tart cherries, very tannic! Hard edges, but plenty of supporting fruit, needs time. My #4 of the flight. 91 points.
2001 Sine Qua Non No. 6 Pinot Noir
A stunning nose, this wine is just singing. Deep intense, yet elegant aromas of sweet red fruits, cherries, and cocoa. On the palate this was richly textured, with silky fine tannins, excellent depth and intensity, a stunning performance. My #1 of the flight, 95-96 points.
Flight #2
2001 Behrens and Hitchcock Hommage To Ed Oliveira Syrah
Dark saturated purple in color, very California in style, the nose reminded me of the Red Car Sugardaddy, with black cherries & cream. The resemblance to the Red Car ended on the palate however, this was firmly tannic, richly textured, showing fine balance and good potential for some cellar time. 90+ points.
2000 Sine Qua Non In Flagrante Syrah
Dark clear ruby in color, a bit of stink on the nose, slightly vegetal, and very meaty. I had a hard time getting a fix on this wine, and was really surprised when it was unveiled.
No rating given.
2002 Red Car Sugardaddy Syrah
Deep purple/black with an absolutely intense nose! Beautiful black fruits, vanilla, and pepper. Tons of fruit, and very ripe and California in style, smooth tannins, and good balance. My #3 of the flight. 92 points.
2000 Kongsgaard Syrah
Blackish-red in color, the stunning nose on this wine is deep, intense, and meaty, showing black fruits, bacon, and wonderful depth. On the palate this was focused and compelling, with richness, complexity, and layered, with a tremendous long finish. Outstanding stuff, and my #1 of the flight. 95 points.
1997 Penfolds Grange
Wow this wine was throwing some sediment! Seemed old world to me, with that sort of brett stink that actually accentuates rather than detracts from a wine. Black cherries and earth notes were dominant, and this finished long and fine, my #2 of the flight. 93 points
2001 Guigal Hermitage
Vegetal, herbal nose, disappointing palate. 82 points.
Flight #3
2000 Dalla Valle Cabernet
Beautiful opaque ruby in color, Very nice nose of cassis and spice, moderate tannins and a pleasant medium finish. No blockbuster, but a very pleasant wine. 90 points.
2000 Bressler Cabernet
Terrific nose of crème de Cassis, plenty of sweet fruit, lush and ripe, yet showing deft balance. Fairly tannic, but displaying excellent depth and concentration, my #1 wine of the flight! Congratulations Bressler, I can’t wait for my mailer
. Rating withheld
2000 Montelena Estate Cabernet
Very nice nose showing cherries and vanilla. Not terribly complex, but pleasant enough. 89 points.
2000 Tongi Cabernet
Vegetal, harsh, and tannic, Jalapeno peppers, undrinkable. 75 points.
2000 Herb Lamb HL Vineyard Cabernet
Terrific nose that is simply classic Cabernet, cassis, ripe fruits, light leather notes, lovely fine tannins, and a medium finish. My #3 of the flight. 91 points.
2000 Switchback Cabernet
Dark purple in color, rich and ripe with tremendous concentration and focused fruit. Rich and tannic on the palate, with excellent structure and depth, finishing long and fine. My #2 of the flight. 94 points.