 | | VinoCellar.com Wine Forums | |
|  |
|  | | Author | Messages | |
wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12003


 | | 03/20/2005 7:50 PM |
| Yesterday WineDrinkerofTexas, PURPLE and myself attended a charity fundraising tasting at Chateau Wine Market in Dallas, TX. Proceeds from the door plus 5% of sales went to the very worthy cause of funding breast cancer research. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves even though many of the wines were pedestrian. You couldn't beat the company and cause. Not to be too flipant about this event but you know what happens when two guys attend a wine tasting benefiting breast cancer research? You get to taste a lot of wine in the presence of a lot of beautiful women. This is a good thing IMO!
I took some very sketchy notes on the wines tasted during the afternoon and I must admit most are not worth the time to type up a note. So in lieu of detailed notes I'm publishing a list of the wines tasted plus a rare WIML rating to give everybody an idea of the quality level of each wine. If you'd like comments about specific wines please do not hesitate to ask and I'll type them up from my paper notes.
Wines
2002 Goosecross Sauvginon Blanc Napa Valley (WIML85,NOWA,NOWS) 2001 Farnese Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC (WIML87,NOWA,NOWS) 2003 R. & G. Sallet Mâcon-Uchizy Les Maranches (WIML87,NOWA,NOWS) 2004 Saracco Moscato d'Asti DOCG (WIML85,NOWA,NOWS) 2003 Bodega Nekeas Vega Sindoa Rose (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) 2003 Elysis Rose d'Anjou (WIML88,NOWA,NOWS) 2004 Woop Woop Shiraz South Eastern Australia (WIML85,NOWA,NOWS) 2002 Nugan Family Shiraz South Eastern Australia Third Generation (WIML89,WA89,WS86) 2003 Viña Nora Albariño Rias Baixas Peitán (WIML86,NOWA,WS87) 2003 Trevor Jones Chardonnay South Australia Virgin (WIML86,WA89,NOWS) 2004 Dominio del Plata Torrontés Cafayate Crios de Susana Balbo (WIML85,NOWA,WS85) 2004 d'Arenberg The Stump Jump White McLaren Vale (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) 2001 Limb Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley Patterson Hill (WIML85,NOWA,WS85) 2000 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga (WIML90,NOWA,WS92) 2000 Bodegas Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva (WIML91,WA87,WS93) 2002 Cockatoo Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot South Australia (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) 2002 Pascal Jolivet Pouilly-Fumé (WIML87,NOWA,WS89) 2001 Cecchi Morellino di Scansano Val delle Rose Riserva (WIML85,NOWA,WS87) 1997 Fabiano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (WIML85,NOWA,NOWS) 2001 Rust en Vrede Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch (WIML82,NOWA,NOWS) 2001 Stags' Leap Winery Merlot Napa Valley (NR-CORKED,NOWA,NOWS) 2001 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (WIML87,NOWA,WS87) 2000 Lewelling Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA90,NOWS) 2003 Caymus Conundrum California (WIML84,NOWA,NOWS) 2002 Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley (WIML88,WA89,WS88) 2003 MacRostie Chardonnay Carneros (WIML87,NOWA,NOWS) 2003 Luna Pinot Grigio Napa County (WIML86,NOWA,WS88) 2002 Ca' dei Frati Lugana-Lombardy Brolettino (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) NV Le Noble Brut Champagne (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) 1999 Allora Cielo Napa Valley (WIML85,NOWA,WS84) 2001 White Cottage Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Risa (WIML86,NOWA,WS67) 2001 Balletto Pinot Noir Russian River Valley (WIML82,NOWA,WS86) 2001 Norwood Pinot Noir Napa Valley (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) 2002 Ortman Family Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County (WIML85,NOWA,WS88) 2001 Longoria Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard (WIML88,NOWA,WS88) 2002 Foxen Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley (WIML86,WA88,WS87) 2001 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Evenstad Reserve (WIML89,NOWA,NOWS) 2002 Coleman Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Estate (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) 2001 Novelty Hill Merlot Columbia Valley (WIML87,WA90,WS89) 2001 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve (WIML87,NOWA,WS87) 2002 Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML82,NOWA,WS82) 2001 Peralta Cabernet Sauvignon California (WIML80,NOWA,NOWS) 2002 Melka Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley CJ (WIML82,NOWA,NOWS) 2000 Ferrari-Carano Trésor Sonoma County (WIML75,NOWA,NOWS) 2001 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA89,NOWS) 2001 Jim Barry Shiraz Clare Valley The Armagh (WIML94,WA96,WS95) 1996 Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac (WIML93,WA94,WS94)
Without a doubt the best wines of the event were: 2001 Jim Barry Shiraz Clare Valley The Armagh (WIML94,WA96,WS95) 1996 Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac (WIML93,WA94,WS94) 2001 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA89,NOWS)
Honorable mention goes to: 2000 Bodegas Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva (WIML91,WA87,WS93) 2000 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga (WIML90,NOWA,WS92) 2000 Lewelling Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA90,NOWS)
QPR hit of the day was undeniably: 2003 Elysis Rose d'Anjou (WIML88,NOWA,NOWS) | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| ChangeMe
 Master of Wine Posts:12891

 | | 03/20/2005 8:09 PM |
| well at least it was in the name of a good cause and your eyes had a good time  | | | |
| ChangeMe
 Grape Sorter Posts:377

 | | 03/20/2005 8:35 PM |
| Additional comments:
2001 Cecchi smelled and tasted like a band aid While I agree on the same highlights as WIML, I found the 2001 Domaine Serene commendable and apparently enjoyed the 2001 Groth more than WIML did. | | | |
| ChangeMe
 Master of Wine Posts:12891

 | | 03/21/2005 12:01 AM |
| do you also agree about the eye candy? were there at least some studs for a$$ watching?  | | | |
| Pool Boy Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
 Master of Wine Posts:13660


 | | 03/21/2005 12:40 AM |
| Isn't Cecchi one of the larger mass wine producers in Italy. Sort of the Glen Ellen of Italy?  | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
| Michael Malinoski
 Grape Truck Driver Posts:27

 | | 03/21/2005 12:49 AM |
| Thanks for the summary, WIML. A very good cause, indeed.
The wines I would appreciate your more detailed evaluations of would be:
2000 Remirez de Ganuza. I have been buying this for years, but have missed the past few vintages. Would like to get reacquainted!
2001 Altamura CS NV. I had this one recently at a tasting and thought highly of it--maybe 92-93 points. I would like your impressions.
Thanks a lot!
Michael | | | |
| ChangeMe
 Grape Sorter Posts:377

 | | 03/21/2005 1:07 AM |
| MJ- Those two wines were worth a try. Anthony-I was with the eyecandy!!!! TJ- probably right but even plonk should not taste like a band aid. | | | |
| wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12003


 | | 03/21/2005 1:11 AM |
| MJM,
Here ya go...
2000 Bodegas Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva (WIML91,WA87,WS93) Tasted March 19, 2005 at an offline so brief comments only. Tried twice; once from a freshly opened bottle and a second time from a bottle that was open for three and half hours. Not a bit of differrence between the two tastings. This wine is very young and still very tight on the nose and palate. Dark purple in color, clear hue throughout. Aromas of plum, tobacco and just a little bit of brett. The brett is not offensive; slight barnyard aroma probably due to the presence of 4-ethyl phenol in very small amounts. Very firm tannins. Flavors of plum with just a hint of mocha on the finish; not sure where that is coming from. If drinking this now I'd seriously consider decanting overnight. Otherwise let this one sit for 3-4 years before tasting again. Recommended, not considering price. Showing much better right now than the Torre Muga at the same tasting.
2001 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA89,NOWS) Tasted March 19, 2005 at an offline so brief comments only. Tasted five times over the course of the afternoon. This was the only wine I returned to five times during the tasting; most didn't make it past one tasting. Dark purple, almost crimson color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Gobs of chocolate, cedar and red cherry on the nose. Flavors of plum, cherry and red currants. Nice wine. Recommended. Note: I believe WineDrinkerofTexas considered this his number one wine and PURPLE liked it a lot although not number one of the day. FWIW I believe WineDrinkerofTexas said "I'm glad I have some of these in the cellar". | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| Budman
 Master of Wine Posts:11833

 | | 03/21/2005 1:12 AM |
| My brother has 2 cases of this in his cellar.
Needless to say, he LOVES Altamura cab!!! | | | |
| wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12003


 | | 03/21/2005 1:15 AM |
| | Bud, have you shared one with him yet? Anything you can plus to my note? | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| Budman
 Master of Wine Posts:11833

 | | 03/21/2005 1:20 AM |
| wiml... actually, no. Two weeks ago, Margaret, myself, and my best friend's son and fiance went to my bro's house to fill his cellar. He was out of town, so we spent about 4 hours loading in about 700 bottles of Cali cab.
He has about 4-5 cases of Altamura (I'll try to buy a few from him), a boatload of Insignia and Seavey, along with about 2 dozen Dalla Valle, David Arthur, Caymus Special Selection, Verite, Spottswoode, Mondavi Reserve, and a bunch of others I just drooled over. His 2 mags of 02 Foley Claret keep calling to me!!!!! | | | |
| Michael Malinoski
 Grape Truck Driver Posts:27

 | | 03/21/2005 1:32 AM |
| Thanks a lot!
My note on the 2001 Altamura is very similar: A dark inky red in color. An intense nose of plums and blackberry jam. A rich and full-bodied wine with cassis, lots of chocolate and crushed blackberry. Warm and inviting with a dense persistent finish. Long-lived, I would imagine.
Budman, 4-5 cases, eh? These need to be shared with "the movers". | | | |
| Dave Mci Hudson, OH
 Grape Fermenter Posts:696


 | | 03/21/2005 10:52 AM |
| Without a doubt the best wines of the event were: 2001 Jim Barry Shiraz Clare Valley The Armagh (WIML94,WA96,WS95) 1996 Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac (WIML93,WA94,WS94) 2001 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA89,NOWS)
Honorable mention goes to: 2000 Bodegas Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva (WIML91,WA87,WS93) 2000 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga (WIML90,NOWA,WS92) 2000 Lewelling Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA90,NOWS)
Best wines - 2001 Altamura WIML 90, Honorable Mention - Remirez de Ganuza WIML 91 ?????? Shouldn't these be switched? Inquiring minds want to know! | | | |
| Tom
 Barrel Sampler Posts:2384

 | | 03/21/2005 1:24 PM |
| Quote:
MJM,
2001 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (WIML90,WA89,NOWS) Tasted March 19, 2005 at an offline so brief comments only. Tasted five times over the course of the afternoon. This was the only wine I returned to five times during the tasting; most didn't make it past one tasting. Dark purple, almost crimson color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Gobs of chocolate, cedar and red cherry on the nose. Flavors of plum, cherry and red currants. Nice wine. Recommended. Note: I believe WineDrinkerofTexas considered this his number one wine and PURPLE liked it a lot although not number one of the day. FWIW I believe WineDrinkerofTexas said "I'm glad I have some of these in the cellar".
Yes, I enjoyed the Altamura. Joe's notes capture this one very well. I can not say I hit the table 5 times, but I did do repeats on this one. I also have in my cellar, so it did help me verify my earlier purchase. I would not hesitate to buy this one again if I had a do-over opportunity.
My wine of the day was the Jim Barry Shiraz followed by the Mouton of course. The Altamura was clearly the best wine of the group on the "official" list. We got to taste the other 2 as a courtesy of the show owner. | | | |
| wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12003


 | | 03/21/2005 2:27 PM |
| Quote:
Best wines - 2001 Altamura WIML 90, Honorable Mention - Remirez de Ganuza WIML 91 ?????? Shouldn't these be switched? Inquiring minds want to know!
Dave, I knew when I posted that somebody might question it. In a nutshell if you're looking strictly at points then yes, they should be reversed. However I'm looking at a few more nebulous things such as how is the wine drinking right now, QPR assessment, etc... In the end it is always a gut check in my book which wine goes first, which goes second, etc... and points are not always the deciding factor in my mind. FWIW, which is probably nothing! | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| Dave Mci Hudson, OH
 Grape Fermenter Posts:696


 | | 03/22/2005 3:18 PM |
| No problem Joe Your thoughts are just that....yours
I love the 98 Remirez - have been looking at subsequent vintages, but the price has gone up, and the feedback doesn't seem as favorable. | | | |
| ChangeMe
 Barrel Filler Posts:1371

 | | 03/23/2005 11:13 PM |
| | Interesting. We tasted the 2001 Altamura at a tasting in December with the Emilios, and found the nose on this wine to be very off-putting. Emilio got past it and gave in an 88 I believe, but I could not get past the nose. Maybe they were pouring a bad bottle? | | | |
| wineismylife Arlington, TX
 Master of Wine Posts:12003


 | | 03/24/2005 1:07 AM |
| That is indeed interesting. I'm betting we drank out of at least two different bottles at this tasting because that bottle was by far the one being dominated at that tasting station. The nose was definitely not off putting in any way that I can remember. Based on that I'm guessing you guys had a bad bottle. Then again we could of hadthe good bottle. | | Joe ----- Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| ChangeMe
 Barrel Filler Posts:1371

 | | 03/24/2005 1:39 PM |
| | I guess I will have to try it again then. We did not perceive it as an off-bottle at the time, but it is looking that way. Thanks WIML. | | | |
| Tom
 Barrel Sampler Posts:2384

 | | 03/27/2005 1:26 AM |
| Quote:
That is indeed interesting. I'm betting we drank out of at least two different bottles at this tasting because that bottle was by far the one being dominated at that tasting station. The nose was definitely not off putting in any way that I can remember. Based on that I'm guessing you guys had a bad bottle. Then again we could of hadthe good bottle.
I think between the 3 of us,(wiml, PURPLE & WDoT) we HAD 2 bottles of this wine. 
Good stuff. | | | |
|
| | You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| |
ActiveForums 3.7 |
|  |
| |
|
|  | Proposed Change to American Viticultural Area Naming Standards Monday, March 10, 2008
| Wine Primers - Links to Your Wine Education Tuesday, February 12, 2008
| Wine Country Report: Day trip to the Willamette Valley Monday, February 11, 2008
| VinoCellar's Favorite Wine Links Saturday, February 09, 2008
| Wine Retailer Reports - Thanks Winetex! Monday, February 04, 2008
|
|
|  |
| |
|  |  | Membership: |  | Latest:figodeng |  | New Today:1 |  | New Yesterday:1 |  | Overall:2004 |
 | People Online: |  | Visitors:66 |  | Members:0 |  | Total:66 |
|
|
|  |
| |
|