stemor  
Collierville, TN
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5564
 | | 11-21-2002 06:35 PM |
| I brought this to our Memphis dinner last night as a stand-in if my Ridge of unknown provenance turned out to be bad. The Montebello was fine, but we finished our wines a before we finished dinner -- so I had this opened and we starting drinking it immediately
This wine is consistent and dependable. Big aroma upon pulling the cork, sort of acidic at first taste and transforming into chocolate and dark fruit over the course of the dinner.
It is 60% Merlot, 24% Cab Franc, 6% Petit Verdot. As such, it is drinking well now but should age gracefully for short-to-mid term.
<NOTE: This was rated WS94, but they screwed up on the varietal composition, calling it a "Cabernet Blend" on more occasions than one. I believe they might have given this an extra point or two merely for being, as they incorrectly believed, an early-drinking-yet-ageworthy Cab. Unfortunately, Harvey Steiman won't 'fess us to his mistake, so we might never know for sure ... >
| | | Cheers, y'all |
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Blair Ridley
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3980
| | 11-21-2002 06:37 PM |
| I gotta be honest --- I tried my first of two bottles about 6-8 weeks ago and I was rather disappointed.
After the hype it received during the Seattle Soiree, I was expecting a $30 monster -- instead I received a good, but not excellent wine.
Maybe I had an off bottle. I've got one left that will sleep for a year or two and I'll report back then. | | | |
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Joseph Bembry
Advanced Sommelier
Posts: 9425
| | 11-21-2002 06:43 PM |
| Interesting. I will be sampling this wine tomorrow night at Triomphe in NYC with Revlis, Board-O and Tbird. We will be having some other jewels like '88 Haut Brion. Can't wait. But I will render a verdict on Sat.
jb | | | |
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Blair Ridley
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3980
| | 11-21-2002 07:09 PM |
| I hope my post didn't come across the wrong way.
The wine was good - but in a different style that what I'm used to. Perhaps that's why it wasn't immediately to my liking.
It was very well structured, complex and concentrated - but I found the fruit-level lacking. Could be due to the Washington winemaking style which differs (or so I hear) from California. Not over-the-top fruit driven bombs. Much more like Bordeaux...
I do, however, look forward to my next (and last) bottle. | | | |
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ojeffso
warren, new jersey
Wine Lover
Posts: 4877
| | 11-21-2002 11:38 PM |
| | short-i agree.the uriah is much more bordeaux like, but without the structure or tannins to be a long termer. i still thought it was excellent, but in the 90 point range. | | | |
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Joseph Bembry
Advanced Sommelier
Posts: 9425
| | 11-24-2002 01:24 PM |
| Tasted w/ Tbird & mrs., Revlis and Board-O at Triomphe in NYC. Thank you to Frued for setting us up w/ a no corkage reservation. I liked this wine a lot, but it is no 94 pt wine, IMO. I think it is a 90. Very nice fruit forward blend. Don't think there is much point in laying it down for a long time. Pull the cork and enjoy.
jb | | | |
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TBird
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Master of Wine
Posts: 10194
| | 11-25-2002 09:16 PM |
| | i agree. i am glad i bought 1/2 case, and will enjoy what's left, but this is not a 94 point wine. it is a very good wine, tho. | | | |
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Bradley Molzen
VinoCellar.com Admin
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5054
| | 11-25-2002 11:47 PM |
| Yea, this one didn't do it to me like a 94 point honey should. Something seemed a little off.... 88 or so for me.
| | | If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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stemor
Collierville, TN
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5564
| | 11-26-2002 12:14 AM |
| What's OFF is Harvey Steiman and his understanding of this wine.
Of course, you already know how I feel about this, so I'll shaddup. | | | Cheers, y'all | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 667
| | 11-26-2002 01:22 AM |
| At least We all know what it's in it, Stemor. That's all that counts.
I don't know if any of you have any of the '99, but in my opinion, it is a cut above the '00. Having just barrel tasted the '01, I will place my bets on it.
Spring Valley will also produce a '01 CS blend and Syrah (2nd vintage). The Syrah production is very small and worth seeking out, only available through their mailing list. | | | |
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stemor
Collierville, TN
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5564
| | 11-26-2002 01:27 AM |
| Queen,
I haven't come across a "welcome" for you (although it has only been minutes since you registered) yet, so ... WELCOME!
Of course, you're the Queen so any place is your place. Glad to have ya.
I have NOT tried the '99 but certainly expect to accumulate the '01 if you sez so. I have gotten on their mailing list and look forward to lots of good juice.
| | | Cheers, y'all | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Picker
Posts: 17
| | 11-27-2002 11:57 PM |
| Queen,
I'd be interested in hearing more about the new Cab blend & Cab for `01. I'm sitting here with my mailer and I'm on the fence as there are a ton of futures I'm getting this go around. Are they, based on your barrel taste, going to be worth $40 & $35? It looks as though they'll be pouring both next weekend and I try them.
Thanks for your thoughts.
WR | | | |
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Brent Null
Roseville, CA
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2194
| | 11-28-2002 12:16 AM |
| I was fortunate enought to be introduced to this wine while at dinner with pyang. I was totally taken aback by this wine. I love a big, fruity, bold wine and this was it. It was stacked up against the David Arthur Meritaggio, which I also found to be outstanding! Ever since this dinner, I have been searching AIMLESSLY for the Uriah to no avail. I am glad I have friends who have also been looking for this wine only to share it with me when they get it. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 667
| | 11-28-2002 06:28 AM |
| WR, I'm looking at the mailer too and getting antsy...We barrel tasted all the varietals and there wasn't a loser in the crowd. The Nina Lee had us all swooning over the barrel (Syrah). The Cab Franc and Merlot also stand out in my cloudy memory. If they can do that Uriah two-step WITHOUT Cab, I can only imagine the CS Blend will rock 'n swirl. Probably will beat out the Uriah. Looking forward to your thoughts after next weekend. (I'm doing the Woodinville scavenger hunt).
I'm glad to see the Uriah was kept at $35 -- after 94 pts. from a man who relies on AWOL interns.
Thanks, Stemor, where you go, I shall follow. | | | |
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts: 11046
| | 12-01-2002 08:37 PM |
| | Brent (and anyone else)- if you find this anywhere please let me know. I have also been searching for this wine w/o any luck. I missed the Bertelli's supply by minutes. I think Stemor got it all. | | | |
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stemor
Collierville, TN
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5564
| | 12-02-2002 12:03 AM |
| Winetex,
Yup. I got a case from Bertelli's (among other places), and I'm willing to share. (( NOTE:The Bertelli's case is currently chillin' at my parents house in Maine. How'd you and your husband like to get a little skiin', a little off-season lobster, and some wine? C'mon up!))
How many do you want? I'll set them aside for you and bring them to you whenever we (inevitably) wind up in the same town.
| | | Cheers, y'all | |
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wineismylife 
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12435
| | 12-02-2002 01:14 AM |
| | I'm in if anybody finds it. I travel a lot (maybe not as much as STEEE-MOOOR!) and still have not found this wine anywhere. If I find it I'll be sure and pick up extra bottles for anybody else that might want it. | | | Joe-----Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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stemor
Collierville, TN
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5564
| | 12-02-2002 03:35 AM |
| I'll be happy to share with you, also, WIML.
Let me know if you have to come to Memphis. Otherwise, I'll try to catch up with you in the Metroplex sometime soon. | | | Cheers, y'all | |
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts: 11046
| | 12-02-2002 10:58 PM |
| Stemor - if you could share two bottles of this I would be very, very happy. One bottle would be just fine as well. They are about $40, correct? Hang on to them and I'm sure we can meet at a wine get-together after the first of the year. I'm ready for another wine soiree after the holidays.
Many, many thanks. | | | |
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stemor
Collierville, TN
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5564
| | 12-02-2002 11:19 PM |
| TWO LOSY BOTTLES?!? C'mon, Tex, think bigger than that. How many do you REALLY want?
Happy to share. Even if it's only two.
| | | Cheers, y'all | |
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