DALLAS OFFLINE - APRIL 2007 - MikeB's house in North Dallas, TX (4/21/2007)

Several of us locals are members of two different wine tasting groups. The DAWGS is composed of mostly online posters to various wine forum on the Internet. The 2nd Wednesday group is composed mostly of people that do not post online but somehow managed to come together and form a group over 10 years ago. For the first time in both groups respective histories we decided to get together and hold a joint wine dinner during the month of April. Our theme for this dinner was “Hamburgers and Cabernets: $50.00 and up”. MikeB and myself were the joint hosts and certified grill masters for this event. Attendees numbering 30 in total brought various assorted side dishes and cabernets of their choice to fit the theme. All of the food was excellent, the wines good and the fellowship fantastic as usual. So without further adieu, on to the show…

• 1992 Byington Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
  WIMLNR,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from double magnum. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Mildly corked but still showing some aromas of black currants, black berries, plums and leather. Went ahead and tasted and there were some muted flavors of black cherries, anise and red berries. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins, medium to full bodied. The TCA became more and more prevalent as the evening wore on. No rating as a result. Drink now. NR (flawed)


• 2001 Viader Proprietary Red - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML87-88,WA87,WS84
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from bottle one of two bottles in a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black berries, dried herbs, anise, maybe a little plum and the goofy balsalmic aroma. Primary red berry flavors with a little red currant. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink over the short term. (87 pts.)


• 2004 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon CRU Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
  WIML91,WA90-92,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Decanted about two hours before double decanting back into the bottle for transport. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Even with decanting still quite tight on the nose giving way to some muted aromas of black licorice, black currants and black berries. Maybe just a whiff of tobacco as well. However the palate was fine with chewy black currants and luscious blueberries and some boysenberry thrown in on the finish. Light to medium acidity, firm tannins, medium to full bodied. Needless to say still quite young and needs more time in bottle. Hold for at least a couple of years before trying again. Tasted twice with consistent notes. (91 pts.)


• 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley
  CT92+,WA95,WS72
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose giving way to some aromas of black berries, plums and maybe a dash of mint. Primary flavors of red cherries and red berries. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium bodied. Hold for a couple of years before trying again. Score reflects potential with room for improvement. (92 pts.)


• 1997 Gustavo Thrace Winery Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML90?,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose with some coaxing gave up some aromas of eucalyptus, anise, red fruits and potpourri. Flavors of bright red cherries, red berries and raspberries. Slightly tart acidity, medium to integrated tannins, medium body. Drink over the short term. (90 pts.)


• 1997 Ristow Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Quinta de Pedras - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML88,NOWA,WS94
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Odd medicinal nose followed by some red cherries and not much more. Flavors of red cherries and ripe red berries. Light to medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, light to medium body. Kind of an odd duck. Maybe it needs a decant? (88 pts.)


• 2002 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cépages - USA, California, Sonoma County
  WIMLNR,WA92,WS84
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose is closed and giving up nothing. Primary flavors of red cherries and red berries. Light to medium acidity, firm tannins, light to medium body. Obviously needs to be held and allowed to develop in the bottle. No rating.


• 2003 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
  WIML91-92,WA89-92,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose giving up some aromas of black licorice, black currants and maybe just a hint of roasted meat? Flavors of black cherries, black berries and just a touch of blueberries on the finish. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium body. I’d recommend holding a year or two to allow it to further flesh out in bottle. (92 pts.)


• 1997 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML88,WA88,WS88
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black berries, cherries and a touch of anise towards the finish. Good, basic flavors of red berries and red cherries. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now. (88 pts.)


• 1999 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
  WIML87-88,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black licorice, black currants and white pepper. Chewy red currants on the palate followed by some red berries. Light acidity, medium tannins, light to medium body. Drink over the short term. (87 pts.)


• 2003 Audelssa Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Mountain Terraces - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
  WIML89,WA92,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose showing some aromas of anise and a jumble of dark ripe fruits. Flavors of red currants, red licorice and a mix of chewy red fruits. Light to medium acidity, light to medium tannins, medium body. I’d recommend holding to see if this improves. (89 pts.)


• 1999 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
  WIML90,WA91,WS89
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cedar, dark fruits, dried herbs and perhaps some floral components. Flavors of chewy red fruits, berries and cherries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drinking rather well at the moment. (90 pts.)


• 1998 Riboli Family Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
  WIML87,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose not showing a lot (a bit of a surprise) perhaps yielding some notes of black berries and dried herbs. Maybe some dreaded balsalmic? Flavors of red cherries and berries. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins, light to medium body. Drink now. (87 pts.)


• 1996 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County - USA, California, Sonoma County
  WIMLNR,NOWA,WS84
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose is completely dominated by aromas of fennel. Simple red berries on the palate. Light acidity, tannins or body. Either this wine was poorly stored, poorly made or is just DOA. If I had to rate it I’d place it in the low 80’s scorewise but I don’t think it should be rated.


• 2003 Andrew Will Champoux Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  WIML92,WA93,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of mocha, vanilla and blueberries. Flavors of blueberries and black berries. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)


• 2003 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain
  WIML91,WA94,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Much tighter on the nose than the Champoux in the same tasting giving up some aromas of dark fruits, mint and much later with air time some roasted coffee. Flavors of chewy currants, dark fruits and golden raisins. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink or hold. (91 pts.)


• 2002 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington
  WIMLNR,WA100,WS93
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Decanted at least 3 plus hours before tasting. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose not giving up any fruit, just aromas of fennel and saddle soap. Chewy flavors of black currants and berries. Medium acidity, firm tannins, full bodied. Hold at least another five plus years and then we’ll talk. No rating.


• 1995 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML89-91,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Decanted at least 3 plus hours before tasting. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of raspberries, red berries and red cherries. Flavors of red cherries and red berries. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now.


• 2004 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  WIML91,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of roasted coffee, roasted meat and dark fruits. Flavors of mocha, black berries and black currants. Light to medium acidity, medium tannins and medium body. Drink now with a splash decant or hold. NOTE:my note card said this was “Clos de Betz”. (91 pts.)


• 2003 Veraison Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML90,NOWA,NOWS
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of anise, a little tight, showing some mixed dark fruits. Flavors of currants, plums and mixed berries. Light acidity and tannins, light to medium bodied. Drink or hold. (90 pts.)


• 2003 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
  WIML85,NOWA,WS79
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of dark fruits, currants and camphor. Flavors of red berries and red cherries. Light acidity, tannins and body. Unimpressive. Drink now. (85 pts.)


• 2001 Astrale e Terra Arcturus - USA, California, Napa Valley
  WIML88,NOWA,WS87
  
  Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Nose of black cherries and white pepper. Flavors of red currants and berries. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Just a step behind previous bottles. Drink now. (88 pts.)