I was fortunate enough to attend this edition of the Napa Tasting Group hosted by Pyang and the All Seasons Cafe in Calistoga. The link to the WS posting and full menu is here.
June 28th Napa Tasting Group DinnerFirst off, what a great job All Seasons did, the tasting menu was just a delight and everything was impecibbly prepared. I was highly impressed, this was the best food presentation I've had at an offline, 96+ points.
1988 Salon Le Mesnil- Very nice, just bursting with fruit, some nice dough with a little air, Pyang is right on, this could go a few more. Was great with the smoked Salmon.
2001 Aubert Chardonnay Quarry Vineyard Not much of a Cal Chard drinker, I liked this, nicely unique, not overblown.
2001 Emrich-Schonleber Spatlese- As mentioned above this went great with the white truffel, sweet corn soup, I had this last week as well and think it could have used a day of air to soften up the lemon and let the other fruits through. Another outstanding '01 German.
1998 Bonneau Martray Corton-Charlemagne- A nice white Burgundy, great mineral complexity, I have to stay away from these...
1985 Lynch-Bages- At first pour this was really awkward, but it really started to fill out with about twenty minutes in the glass offering copious amounts of sweet tobacco. Next time decant for at least two hours. 92+ pts.
1995 Haut-Brion- This baby needs time, another 15 might be sufficient. Very tight, never had a chance, but has all the classic components all bound up. 94+ pts.
1991 Opus One- I'd never had this vintage, so a thank you to whoever brought it. Another nice '91 vintage wine, showing nice cigar box and elegant fruit. Drink now or hold for 5 more. 93+ pts.
1999 Dominus Estate- I still can't rate this wine, tight as they come, again....
2001 Larkin Cabernet Franc, magnum - Huge perfumed cab franc nose, this was bottled two days before which is incredibly for how well this showed, big fruit, some big tannin as well as is going to be typical of '01 everything. 93+ pts.
1999 Torbreck 'The Factor'- I just don't care for Oz Shiraz, though this is certainly a well made wine. I liked this better than the Integrity, not as huge and you could actually find a little complexity here. 92 pts.
2001 Marquis Philips Integrity- Nothing shy about this wine, way over the top for me, this should say 'Smuckers' on the label.
90 pts.
1997 Viader- Very closed, dark fruit, good balance, just not showing much. 90 pts.
1999 Peter Michael Les Pavots- Wow, is this good stuff! Complex, balanced, cedar, nice fruit, Yum! Showing just excellent for its young age. 95+ pts.
1997 Niebaum-Coppola Rubicon- Same story as the Viader, very closed, 2nd time I've had this, but first in a year+. 91 pts.
1997 David Arthur Cabernet Sauvignon- Just a great wine with a great future and it's not even the 1147! Wonderfull black fruits, earth, and cedar notes, superb balance, tannins to carry for ??? Wow. 96+ pts.
1997 Chateau Montelena Estate- I think this wine is just coming into its own and I think its going to be a knockout in ten years. I could drink a lot of this. Elegant, complex, layered, ummmphhh. 96 pts. I don't know what Pyang drank...
1992 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon- The last great PR IMHO. Beautiful wine, nearing its prime, beautiful restrained sweetness to it. A wine with great class. Could still go 5 easy and may still improve. 95+ pts.
1995 Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche- This kinda got lost after all the huge wines that preceeded it, too bad, as it was a very, very nice Burgundy. Classic pinot cherries, excellently balanced, this is why people get sucked into Burgundy. 95 pts.
1994 Chateau Reynella Shiraz- A big wine that has achieved a more balanced profile than the youngans from the Oz set above. Still very aggressive Shiraz though. 92 pts.
1974 Macayamas Cabernet Sauvignon, magnum - I am so glad I got to taste this wine, another puzzle piece in the Cal Cab library complete for me. Fantastic color, a very young wine with a streak of maturity in the nose. Fairly tight at first with lovely balanced red fruits. This wine really could have used a two hour decant as it was just starting to open up as I finished my last sips. Initially I like the La Mish better, but on the last sip this was really pouring it on. 10 years left easy, I really would like to have this again. 94+ pts.
1978 La Mission Haut-Brion- Classic Bordeaux, just coming to maturity. Tastings just don't do wines like this and the Mayacamas justice, you really need to sit down and enjoy the whole bottle. 93+ pts.
1985 Graham Vintage Port- I thought this drank really well, I didn't notice the heat that some did, and mine disappeared way too fast. Ready to go or hold for 10. 93 pts.
NV R.L. Buller Premium Fine Tokay- I liked this again, but by now the palate is really getting shot.
This just really was a stunning set of wines from top to bottom and a huge thank you to Pyang for putting this together. I got to meet quite a few forumites who I'd never met and had a wonderful time talking wine with new aquaintences. Thanks to everyone for their generosity and good company.