1999 WRQ Wine Tastings
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14 tasters convened at John's home.
AlpaD (short)
BarbaraB
BernadeV
DaveMC
EmilyG
GaryH
GusC
Janet
JohnL
JonathaP
Marta
RobertAf
Surain (Robert's wife)
WalterH
Below is the official list of wines. If you do not remember, you ranked them this way:
1. Beaulieu Vineyard Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1970, Napa Valley
7. Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1970, Napa Valley
8. Ridge California (Monte Bello) Cabernet Sauvignon 1970
5. Château Montrose 1970, Saint-Estèphe
2. Château Lynch Bages 1970, Pauillac
6. Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse De Lalande 1870, Pauillac
3. Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 1970, Napa Valley
4. Château Pichon-Longueville, Baron De Pichon 1970, Pauillac
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12 tasters convened at WRQ.
AlpaD
BernadeV
DaveMC
DianeC
EmilyG
GlennT
GusC
JackieM
JonathaP
Marta
RobertAf
Surain (Robert's wife)
1) Cline, 1997, Big Break Vineyard, $17
- Herby, cedar-like, woodsey. - Jonathan
- Really enjoyed the berrishness - Jackie
- Similar to the label's description: bery, earthy,...nice!
- Best of the day. Strong earth smell. Roast bean taste. - DM
- Spicyness and berry flavors - Gus
- Jammy, good taste - 2nd favorite - Marta
- Musty, earthy, smell; nice woody, spicy flavor - Glenn
2) Kempton Clark, 1997, Cucamonga Valley, $17
- Nice inital blast, but empty after that - Jackie
- Sharp, edge, no body, didn't care for it.
- Apricot, thin - Marta
3) Frog's Leap, 1996, Napa Valley, $17
- Herby, cedary, woodsey, but more mild not as good, but not cooking wine,
either.
- Nicely balanced, not too overpowering - Jackie
- Not too "rich".
- Reminds me of Thai food. Lemon Grass? Cilantro? - Marta
- Overpowering odor. Reminds me of damp, dirty, socks - Glenn
4) Peachy Canyon, 1995, Paso Robles, $25.
- Tobacco, herby, I don't like it - Marta
- Good, solid wine, nice and consistent.
- No distinctive features - not bad, not outstanding.
- Nice, balanced flavors - Glenn
- Medium bodied, balanced. Just OK - Alpa
5) Biale, 1996, Aldo's Vineyard, Napa Valley, $27
- Great fruit, jammy, berry, vanilla. My favorite - Marta
- Good constant flavor, but on the sweet side.
- Complex, a little sweet, interesting, held up well.
- Excellent, complex flavors, smooth, berry and spice flavors. My first
choice. - Glenn
- Nice, peppery flavours. My favorite - Alpa
- Lots of flavor. My favorite, as well. - Gus
6) Ravenswood, 1997, Vitner's Blend, $8
- Great, really present and rich and woody. My favorite - Jonathan.
- These,but not there too much - Dave
- Whoa! for $8, very good.Taste doesn't drop off.
- Not a whimpy wine, good tannins. 3rd favorite - Marta
- Great wine. Great price. Great for a Scotsman. - Jonathan
- Great low cost wine - complex and satisfying.
- For the price it is just great! - Alpa
- Best value of the day - DM
7) Fife, 1996, Mendocino, $20
*** Opened much later
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13 tasters convened at JackieM's home enjoying a beautiful evening:
AlpaD
Bernadette (Alpa's friend)
DaveMC
EmilyG
GusC
JackieM
Janet
JonathaP
Marta
RobertAf
Surain (Robert's wife)
TerryD
WalterH
1) Kenwood 1997, $14, Sonoma County
- Intense fruit, blackberies. - Gus
- Spicy, nice and tasty - Robert
- Spicy similar to #3
- A nice little bite - JSP
- Smooth with a bite - JAS
2) Seven Hills, 1997, $27, Columbia Valley, Klipsun Vineyard
- Solid and good; nothing offensive
- Long taste, tannin, just a bit mild for me - Robert
- Another good one, nice tannins - Gus
- Long taste, sharp, tannic, could be fruitier - Surain
- Cedary, a little bitterish, but good - JSP
- Bitter - JAS
3) Cascade Ridge, 1995, Columbia Valley ($18 at Pete's)
- Much spicier than #2
- Intense fruit, blackberrries and spice, really smooth finish - Gus
- Another nice one. Tannic first, with a smoother finish - Robert
- Dry - didn't age well with opening - JAS
4) Canoe Ridge, 1997, $22, Columbia Vineyard
- Good fruit, cherry flavors, finish is smooth - Gus
- Nice, lots of tannin - Robert
- Has turned sour. OK first taste when first opened - JAS
5) Cascade Cliff, 1997, $17, Columbia Valley
- Best of the bunch. Fruity, dry, balanced tannins - Gus
- Great! My favorite, very strong tannins - Robert
- Good body with less tannins than 3 or 4 - JAS
- Smooth, good flavor - but lots of body - Alpa
6) Hyatt 1996
- A well mannered wine; not exciting but nice - JAS
7) Leonetti, 1993, Walla Walla
- My favorite. peppery taste, great finish. - Alpa
- Sorry #5 - #7 is definitely better! - Robert
- Go out and buy it. It is lovely. JAS
- Superb! - Gus
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Order of Finish
4) Ridge, 1997, California, Coastal Range
1) Sineann, Pinot Gris, 1998, Willamette Valley, Elvenglade Vineyard, $12
3) Domaine du Pesqier, Gigondas, 1996, $18
2) Martin Codax, Albarino, 1997, $11
6) Loosen Bros, Riesling, 1997
5) Grgich Hills, Fume Blanc, 1996, $23
7) Kim Crawford, 1997, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc
8) Charles Schlert, 1997, Tokay Pinot Gris, Vin D'Alsace
1) Sineann, Pinot Gris, 1998, Willamette Valley, Elvenglade Vineyard, $12
- Not bad for a white! (Glenn)
- Not bad for a white. Interesting, fairly intense. (Robert)
- Sweet. (Janet)
- More oakey than a sawmill. Not bad. (Dave)
- Oak with a crispness of pear. (Gus)
2) Martin Codax, Albarino, 1997, $11
- Good, pleasant, maybe best white. (Robert)
- Grapefruit, good alcohol. (Marta)
- Nice citrus flavors with a crisp finish. (Gus)
3) Domaine du Pesqier, Gigondas, 1996, $18
- I like Rhone wines, but this one is great! (Robert)
- Very nice, hard to go wrong with a Rhone. (Glenn)
4) Ridge, 1997, California, Coastal Range
- Herbal taste, very herbal taste. (Dave)
- Ridge makes good wines. This one almost as good as #3. (Robert)
- I have been converted - no more whites! (Alpa)
- Best of the whites. And it's red. (Glenn)
- Eucalyptus, Olive, Bliss. (Terry)
5) Grgich Hills, Fume Blanc, 1996, $23
- I liked #2 better. (Robert)
- Another wine with a crisp finish. Very nice. (Gus)
6) Loosen Bros, Riesling, 1997
7) Kim Crawford, 1997, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc
- Interesting, different taste. Not bad for a white. (Robert)
- Smells like tomato leaves. (Walter)
- The Crawford has nice legs and a mole. (Glenn)
- I thought this was a little bland. (Odessa)
8) Charles Schlert, 1997, Tokay Pinot Gris, Vin D'Alsace
- Intense mineral - almost salty. Bitter. Unpleasant. Yuck. (Walter)
- Yikes. Like wet dirt sprinkled with salt. (Glenn)
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Order of Finish
#1: 1) Chateau Larose-Trintaudon, 1995, $17, Haut-Medoc
#2: 3) Chateau Lanessan, 1989, $14, Haut-Medoc
#3: 5) Chateau St. Georges, 1995, St. Emilion
#4: 4) Chateau Cap de Merle, 1996, $16, Lussac-St. Emilion
#5: 2) Chateau Haut Lagrange, 1995,$15, Pessac-Leognan
#6: 6) Chateau Plagnac, 1995
1) Chateau Larose-Trintaudon, 1995, $17, Haut-Medoc (Pete's)
- Spicy, good finish - Gus
- Nice with various flavors, my favorite - Robert
- Started fruity - lost fruit, peppery after open.
- My favorite - Alpa
2) Chateau Haut Lagrange, 1995,$15, Pessac-Leognan
- Fruity with good tannins - Gus
- Not bad after #6, but still not very interesting - Robert
- Light and smoky.
- Getting better with time.
3) Chateau Lanessan, 1989, $14, Haut-Medoc
- Cherries, smooth finish - Gus
- Later, getting much better - Robert
- Smooth tannins, cassis.
- Nice, smoky, plum.
4) Chateau Cap de Merle, 1996, $16, Lussac-St. Emilion
- Licorice - Gus
- Again, not as bad, but a bit rough - Robert
- Woody, a little young.
- Licorice and anise.
5) Chateau St. Georges, 1995, St. Emilion
- Good flavors, my 2nd favorite - Robert
- My second favorite - Alpa
6) Chateau Plagnac, 1995
- Not very interesting - Robert
- Nothing special in start or middle; something unpleasant in finish.
The Snack List
- Light Gouda Cheese
- Robert's Whole Wheat Bread
- Doux de Moutage Cheese
- Chaumes Cheese
- Neal Yard Stilton Cheese
- Neal Yard Double Glouchester Cheese
- Madrigal Cheese
- Hummus from Larry's Markets
- Brenner Brother's Pita Bread
- Water Crackers
- Kalamata Olives
- Macrina Guiseppe Bread
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Order of Finish (As of 18:15 when Gus was finished)
#1: 1 - Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley, 1996, $30
#2: 10 - Stags Leap, Napa Valley, 1995, $30
#3: 3 - Joullian, Carmel Valley, 1994, $25
#4: 4 - Pine Ridge, Napa - Howell Mountain, 1996, $40
#5: 6 - Rubissow-Sargent, Napa - Mt Veeder, 1993, $22
#6: 7 - Newton, Napa Valley, 1984, $15
#7: 8 - Ravenswood, Sonoma Valley, 1996, $21
#8: 2 - William Hill, Napa Valley, 1996, $17
1 - Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley, 1996, $30
- Cedary. (Walter)
- Big Bouquet.
- Great Finish, Plums and Spice. (Gus)
- Very tasty indeed. Big wide open flavor.
- Best of show. Lovely garnet color. Lovely bouquet.
- Very smooth. Almost borders on sweet.
- Great Cab. (Robert)
2 - William Hill, Napa Valley, 1996, $17
- Nice, berries, little finish.
- Not bad, but certainly not as good as the others. (Robert)
- Peppery. (Marta)
3 - Joullian, Carmel Valley, 1994, $25
- Needs lots more time or something. (Shelly)
- Distinct cherry taste.
- Big burst of fruit. (Gus)
- Wasn't too exciting. (Robert)
- Better finish.
4 - Pine Ridge, Napa - Howell Mountain, 1996, $40
- Closed and tannic, but could improve with age.
- Reminds me of Retcina.
- There is a reason they call it _Pine_ ridge. Herbal, spicy aftertaste that
lasts forever.
- Blast of alcohol, could not get any fruit flavor. (Gus)
- Good imitation of retsina. (Jonathan)
- Lots of tannin, nice cab. Probably my favorit. (Robert)
5 - Estancia, Alexander Valley, 1997, $14
- Light with apple flavors. Now gettings some spice on the second taste. (Gus)
- Well, OK.
- Not to exciting. (Robert)
- Goes flat at end.
6 - Rubissow-Sargent, Napa - Mt Veeder, 1993, $22
- Citric, like an Oregon Pinot.
- Another great one, tannins, dry finish. (Robert)
7 - Newton, Napa Valley, 1984, $15
- Lots of tannins. (Robert)
8 - Ravenswood, Sonoma Valley, 1996, $21
- Kind of eh.
- "Eh" or "Feh".
- Not impressive.
9 - Clos du Val, Napa Valley, 1995, $21
- Nice, worth getting more.
- Disappointing.
- OK start, rough finish. (Robert)
- Very drinkable.
10 - Stags Leap, Napa Valley, 1995, $30
- Oaky, well-balanced.
- Good balance, nice tannins, not too much.
11 - Mayacamas, Napa Valley, 1993, $40
- Smooth.
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We were 10 people tasting 10 bottles of wine! We drank about 7 and half bottles
plus about half of one of John's really old wines. It was 10:30 when all
was said and done.
1 - Teofilo Reyeas (Ribera de Duero) 1996 ($26 at The Spanish Table)
2 - Casillo San Simon (Jumilla) 1997 (about $15 at McCord Airforce base)
3 - Fin del Rico (Toro Reserva) 1991 ($13 at Thriftway)
4 - Condado de Haza (Ribera Condado) 1996 - 2 bottles ($18 at Pete's)
5 - Lorino (Rioja) 1995 ($10)
6 - Campillo (Rioja) 1995 ($17 at The Spanish Table)
Yago Condal 1955 (from John's cellar)
- This wine had seen its best years but was still sort of drinkable.
La Rioja Alto S.A. (Reserva) 1959 (from John's cellar)
- This wine had definitely seen its best years. It was touched very carefully
or just smelled and then poured out.
Alpa - preferred 3 and 6
Dave - preferred 6
Janet - preferred 1 and 4 (did not try 5 and 6)
Jonathan - preferred 1 and 3
Marta - preferred 3, 4, and 6.
Robert - preferred 1 and 4. Did not like 3 very much (to thin)
Walter - preferred 1, 4, and 6
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There were 8 of us tasting Oregon and California Pinot at Gary's home.
People seemed to like most of the wines, though there were some
reservations agains the Sunrise.
St Innocent 1994 ($24) (Oregon)
Most people seemed to like this.
Willa Kenzie Estate ($23) (Oregon)
Most people seemed to like this, but John and Robert felt it
was too mild.
Sunrise 1992 ($14) (California)
John thought it tasted like acid. Robert liked it, but another
bottle was better a few days ago.
Chassagne-Montrac 1994 ($35) (France)
Robert's favorite, but not worth the money.
St Innocent 1996 ($19) (Oregon)
The other St Innocent was better.
Au Bon Climate - Santa Maria Valley 1997 ($20) (Oregon)
Very nice but it was a bit young.
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