Blair Ridley
Wine Labeler
Posts:3980
 | | 11/13/2002 10:43 PM |
| I bought this from Stirling Fine Wines a couple weeks ago along with the '99 Robert Craig Mt. Veeder Cabernet.
The Mt. Veeder was good, but not quite up to expectations. I'm hoping I got a mediocre bottle.
This Affinity, however, is simply delicious. I should preface this by saying I love both straight cabernets as well as blends.
Consumed w/o food and over the course of three hours in a Riedel Sommelier Grand Cru Bordeaux.
This stuff was singing right from the first pour (reminds me of the '99 Whitehall Lane the first time I had it). In the glass it's as dark as could be - if not for the reddish hue on the circumference, you'd think you were drinking oil.
About as fruit-forward as you could get with a wine, this bottle starts with a short finish but explosive fruit. The extraction on the CA cabernets amazes me.
60 minutes in (splash decanted), the finish extends and some Bordeaux-like qualities shine through - pencil lead, chewy earth, etc. The acidity also becomes more noticeable with some aeration. Just enough glycerine and oak round out the profile.
This deserves a 90-91 in my book. No doubt about it.
I'm going to buy more. | | | |
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Mick Zack
Grape Fermenter
Posts:601
| | 11/22/2002 1:00 PM |
| I'm hoping that was an off bottle (Mt. Veeder). When I had it at the Skurnick tasting, it showed
better than the Affinity...sounds like a 'taste-off' is called for! After the holidays we should hook up
at the Limestone, I'll bring a bottle of each and we can check them out side by side...hey, any reason
to drink wine....  | | | |
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Blair Ridley
Wine Labeler
Posts:3980
| | 11/22/2002 1:06 PM |
| | Count me in for that MudPuppy! | | | |
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Seek
Upstate NY
Wine Thief
Posts:2772
| | 11/22/2002 1:44 PM |
| | Not having the Mt. Veeder, I will say that the Affinity is a nice bottle of wine. Not in your face or over the top, but a wine with elegance and restrain. I had this back in October albeit after 4 other Fantastic bottles of wine and with little air time it still showed wonderfully. I believe I rendered a 90-91 for it. | | | |
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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4986
| | 11/22/2002 2:39 PM |
| | Mudpuppy, you live out near Peapack? | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts:12468
| | 11/22/2002 4:47 PM |
| Received my 1 case this week. Joy.
+ 6 Chards. Cool.
Going to sit on these for @ least 2 years. Then, attack them a little. | | | |
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Mick Zack
Grape Fermenter
Posts:601
| | 11/22/2002 9:12 PM |
| | Rev-yes, I used to (actually Bedminster, but the side nearest Peapack), just moved to Pennsylvania back in Sept...why doust thou ask? | | | |
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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4986
| | 11/22/2002 9:16 PM |
| | Just curiousity since you talked about Limestone. I've been there once, liked the area. | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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Mick Zack
Grape Fermenter
Posts:601
| | 11/22/2002 9:25 PM |
| | Yeah, I lived about 4 minutes from the Limestone.....now THAT was convenient! | | | |
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David Walker
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2284
| | 11/23/2002 2:16 AM |
| | I just got a '97 tonight. Waiting to taste...will post a TN. | | | |
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