2003 WRQ Wine Tastings
- Port Wines on Thursday, 18 December 2003
- Spanish Rioja Red Wines on Thursday, 20 November 2003
- Chilean Red Wines on Thursday, 16 October 2003
- New Zealand Pinot Noir Wines on Thursday, 18 September 2003
- Summer Wines on Thursday, 21 August 2003
- North American Syrah Wines on Thursday, 17 July 2003
- California Cabernet Wines on Thursday, 19 June 2003
- Australian Shiraz Wines on Thursday, 15 May 2003
- Oregon Pinot Noir Wines on Thursday, 17 April 2003
- French Rhone Wines on Thursday, 20 March 2003
- Italian Piedmont Wines on Wednesday, 26 February 2003
- Big Alcohol Zinfandels on Thursday, 16 January 2003
1) Quinta do Infantado, 1996, Late Bottled Vintage, $27
-Bright, plum flavor (Gus)
-A little harsh compared to #5 (not surprising) but good with stronger flavored foods.
2) Porto Barros, 20 Year Old Tawny, $50
-Smells like a sherry, tastes more port like.
-Amazing with bleu cheese, figs. Very much like a sherry in aroma and color. Long finish.
-Very good. (Alpa)
-Good with bleu cheese.
-Smooth, delicious. (Gus)
3) Smith Woodhouse, Madalena, 1982, Vintage, $58
-Velvet (Gus)
-Ultimate dessert wine port, very jammy.
-I think my favorite.
4) Porto Rocha, 1975, Colheita, $59
-Cherry flavors, smooth, but thin. (Gus)
5) Vista Alegre, 1988, Late Bottled Vintage, $24
-Cedar nose, better after opened for a while. (Gus)
-Did not like - too harsh.
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1) Burko, Tempranillo, 2001, $9.99
-musty (foo)
-ok, but not exciting (Rain)
2) Faustino VII, 2000, $12.99
-not interesting (Rain)
3) Gran Diezmo Crianza, 1999, Bodegas Primicia SA, $13.99
-Oakey - Good!
-Good for the price (Rain)
-Really good; toasty oak. (Gus)
4) Bodegas Monticello Reserva, 1997, $18.99
-Definietely better than #1 (Rain)
5) Juan Ramon Madrid Reserva, 1997, Bodegas Primicia, $19.99
-Full flavor; peppery; good finish (tasted two hours after opening) (Gus)
6) Finca Valipiedra Reserva, 1997, $24.99
-I like this, good fruit, good spice, nice & smooth (Gus)
-Very zin-like (Christine)
-Excellent with lots of tannins, one of my favorites (Rain)
7) Miguel Merino Reserva, 1994, $30.99
-Good tannins, no fruit (Gus)
-Great after decanted and opened for a bit (Gus)
8) Castillo Ygay, Gran Reserva Especial, 1994, Bodegas Marques de Murrieta, $37.99
-Smooth, cherry flavor (Gus)
-Bright, fruity.
-Great, tannin rich wine. My favorite. (Rain)
9) Propiedad H. Remondo, 2000, Bodegas Palacio Remondo, $23.00
-Spicy (Alpa)
10) Marques de Caceres Crianza, 2000, $12.00
-Earthy
11) Vina Ameziola Crianza, 2000, Bodegas Ameziola, $13.00
-Lighter than expected.
12) Riscal, Tempranillo, 2000
13) Raimat, Tempranillo, 2000, $14.99
-Very good, smooth (Alpa)
-Too soft for me (Rain)
14) Valdemar, Cosecha 2002, $8-$12
-Fruit forward, no finish (Gus)
-Don't like it (Rain)
15) Lorinon, Crianza, 1999, $8-$12
-Not bad, but not as good as #6-8 and #4. (Rain)
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1) Armadore, Carmenere, 2002, Odfjell Vineyards, Valle del Maule, $9
-Unready; seems thin and harsh.
-Not subtle. Green Pepper.
-Chemical taste.
2) Escudo Rojo, 2001, Baron Phillippe de Rothchild, Maipo Valley, $17
-Unremarkable.
3) Primus Veramonte, 2000, Casablanca Valley, Carmenere, Merlot, Cab, $16
-Cured in Bronze Casks. Wrinkle face.
-That's just so sick and wrong.
4) Casa Julia, Reserve Merlot, 2001, Maipo Valley, $11
-Earthy. (Gus)
-Butterscotch notes.
5) Morande Vitisterra Grand Reserve, 1999, Maipo Valley, Cabernet, $15
6) Montes Alpha, Cabernet, 2000, Colchagua Valley, $16
-Bright.
-Nice and lean.
-Best so far.
7) 2 Brothers Big Red Tattoo, 2002, Colchagua Valley, Cab, Syrah, Merlot, $9
-Really nice little house wine.
-Good for the price.
-Would be great with pasta putanesca.
-Clean finish; hint of ass.
8) Ninguen, Mont Gras, Cabernet, 2000, Colchagua Valley, $29
-Very luxurious, full, & smooth.
-Yummy!
9) Casa Lapostolle, Merlot, Colchagua Valley, 2000
-Nice.
10) Concha Y Toro, Casillero del Diablo, Carmenere, Rapel Valley, 2002, $11
-Bold, full. (Gus)
11) Mont Gras, Cabernet, Syrah, Reserva, 2000, $8
-Bitter finish. (Gus)
12) Marques de Casa Concha, Merlot, 2001, Peumo
13) Santa Ema, Merlot, Reserve, 1999
-Not as good as 14.
14) Santa Ema, Merlot, Reserve, 2000
-So much more flavor than the '99. Rich and supple.
-Sweet but nice, would make a good reduced pepper sauce over steak.
15) Montes Alpha, Merlot
-Very nice - dry, full.
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1) Quartz Reef, Central Otago, 2000, 13.5%, $30
-Good spice, peppery finish (Gus)
-Basic wine, actually lasted.
2) Peregrine, Central Otago, 2001, 14%, $30
-Good tannins. (Gus)
-Sorry - good to start but horrible finish. Next bottle - great.
3) Ninth Island, Tasmania, 2001, 13.5%
-Nice, Nice, nice.
4) Brancott, Marlborough, 2000, 13.5%
-Very nice - good full body.
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1) Dorado, Alvarinho, Portugal, 2001, 12.5%, $18
-Citrus, clean finish. (Gus)
-A rich flavor for a white wine.
-Minerally.
2) Sumarroca, Rosado, Penedes, Spain, 2002, 11%, $9
-Very light, almost like water. (Gus)
3) Ninet de Pena, Vin de Pays, France, 2002, 12.5%
-Low acidity; very refreshing.
4) Lucia, Alto Adige, Pinot Grigio, Italy, 2002, $13
-Everything a pinot grigio should be - light, crisp, refeshing.
5) Claar, Late Harvest Riesling, Northwest
-Exquisite, luxorious mouth-feel with no dogging sweetness.
6) Covey Run, Ice Wine, Northwest
-Wonderful - hint of grapefruit.
-Perfect with figs!
7) Chateau Ducasse, Bordeaux, France, 2002, 12%
-Very dry, austere. Oysters?
8) Routas, Vignier, France, 2001, 13.5%
9) Ochoa, Granacha, Spain, 2002, 12.5%, $10
-Cherry flavor, light, easy sipping wine. (Gus)
10) Selbach, Zeltinger, Himmelreich, Riesling Spatlese, 2001
11) Vin Gris de Cigare, Pink Wine, California, 13.5%
12) Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Spain, 13%
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1) Marr, 1998, Vine Hill Vineyard, Russian River Valley, CA, 12.9%
2) Alexander Valley Vineyards, CA, 2000, 13.9%
-Cherries. (Gus)
-Good Syrah nose.
3) Mariah, Mendocino Ridge, CA, 1997, 14.4%, $28
-Earthy. (Gus)
-They call the wine Mariah.
-Some call it earthy, I found it too smelly to enjoy.
-Doesn't really smell like Syrah.
-Best of the night for me.
4) Frey, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, CA, 2002, 13.9%, Organic
-Young!
-Slightly vegetal nose, but typical Syrah.
5) Shooting Star, Lake County, CA, 2000, 13%
-Bright and fresh.
-Light and not Syrah like.
6) Bridgman, Yakima Valley, WA, 2000, 13.8%
-Down the drain.
7) McCrea, Red Mountain, WA, 2001, 14.8%, $43
-Young and fruity, but with the most character.
8) Forgeron, Walla Walla Valley, WA, 2001, 13.8%
-Vegetal nose, but not bad.
9) Cline, Los Carneros, Sonoma, CA, 2000, 14.5%, $19 (Ballard Market)
-Good value in a Syrah. Smells and tastes of Syrah.
10) Bridgman, Columbia Valley, WA, 1997, 13.0%
11) MontPellier, Napa, CA, 2000, 12.5%
-Light and unimpressive.
-One of my favorites.
12) Pepperwood Grove, 2001
-Nice body and some Syrah character. For the price, puts some of the rest of these to shame.
13) Columbia Crest, Reserve, Columbia Valley, 1998
-OK.
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1) Sebastiani, Sonoma Cask, 1997, 13.8%, $21 in 2001
-Nice nose.
-Cherry flavor. (Gus)
-Great Earthy aroma.
-Call me a Cab.
-OK. You're a Cab!
-On second taste, great tannins. (Gus)
2) Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley, 2000, 13%
-Very Smooth (Gus)
3) Hess Estates, Napa Valley, 2000, 13.9%, $20
-Full-flavored, easy to drink.
-Very fruit forward. (Gus)
-Ditto, full and fruity. Still very soft.
-Toasty nose. (Dave)
-My favorite. (Sherry)
4) Merryvale Starmont, Napa Valley, 2000, $22
5) St. Supery, Napa Valley, 1999, $20
-Soft Tannins. (Gus)
6) Beaulieau, Napa, 1999, 13.8%
-Will age to be a good cab.
7) Alexander Valley Vineyard, 2000, 13.5%
-Smooth, good tannins, a bit of spice. (Gus)
8) David Bruce, Santa Cruz Mountain, 1994, 13%
-"It has the grace of age". (John)
-Peppery. (Gus)
-Lovely, but mild.
9) Franciscan, Napa, 1997, 13.5%
10) Smoking Loon, Napa, 2001, 13%, $8 (Trader Joe's)
11) Shale Ridge, 2001, 13.5%
12) Liberty School, Paso Robles, 13%
-Long finish, my favorite. (Rob)
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1) Tim Addams, Clare Valley, 1999, $24
-Full of flavor (Gus).
-Very fat and rich - a pasha among wines.
-Noce nose and great flavor.
-Licorice/Anis aftertaste.
-Was very hot when open but better later.
-Nice manure smell.
2) d'Arenberg, McLaren Vale, "The Footbolt Shiraz", 2000
-Fruit forward (Gus).
-Much lighter, brighter, lively, and acidic.
-Lighter, drier than number 1.
-Typical shiraz.
-Very drinkable (Alpa).
-Was better the first time.
3) Charles Cimicky, Barossa Valley, "Shiraz Signature", 2000, $28
-Very nice and well-balanced.
-Nice nose and aftertaste.
-My favorite (Alpa).
4) Wolf Blass, Northern Australian Shiraz, "President's Selection", 2000, $20
-Nice struct.
-Spicy, vegetal.
5) Blackstone, Barossa Valley, 1998, 13.6%, $35
-Good tannins. (Gus)
-Nice structure initially, but faded fast.
6) Penfolds Bin 128, Coonawarra, 2000, 13.5%, $18
-Tannic.
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1) Bethel Heights, 2000, Willamette Valley, 13.5%, $15
-Good Fruit
-Earthy; Woody
-Earthy
-Rough Finish
2) Chehalem, 2000, Willamette, 13.9%, $26
-Sweeter than #1
-Nice! Smooth.
-Okay.
-I like this one, good all-around Pinot.
-An austere Pinot.
3) J. Christopher, 2000, Willamette Valley, 13%, $30
-Made in a garage and smells like ir, but tastes citrusy.
-Smells like dirt, tastes like grapefruit.
-Bleh.
-Sulphur smell leaves after awhile and is better.
4) Foris, 1997, Rogue Valley, 13.3%, $8
-Very plain after the Christopher.
-I thought it was fruity, nice bouquet.
-Bang for buck.
5) Willa Kenzie Estate, 1999, Willamette Valley, 13.3%, $36
-Good.
-It tastes better than it smells. (Marta)
6) Cristom, 2000, Willamette Valley, 14%, $42
-Mellow, holds up very well.
-Nah.
-No sulfur (after 1.5 hours open) tasting burgundy.
7) Erath, 1999, Yamhill County, 13.5%, $21
8) King Estate, 1999, Eugene, 13%, $20
-Toasty nose at first, very smooth.
-Toasty, but nice.
9) Kings Ridge, 2001, Newburg, 13.5%, $18
10) Chateau Benoit, 2000, Carlton, 14%, $10
11) St. Innocent, Seven Springs Vineyard, 13%, $28
-Woody, nice.
12) Elk Cove, La Boheme, 13.5%, $35
-Grapefruit -> to stem-tinged bamble character of shameless zinfandels.
-Smells like week-old gym socks and grapefruit. Taste: a bit effervescent and grapefruit.
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1) Chatter Creek, Syrah
2) Saint-Joseph, 2000, Offerus, 12.5%, $26
-Earthy!
-Full, needs to open. (Gus)
-Hmm, I'd say thin and a little metalic, but I'll try it again later. Earthy-hummus.
-Earthy with ice finish.
-Nail polish remover.
-Water with a little pigment.
-Wouldn't go for it again.
3) Chateau du Trignon, 2000, Gigondas, 14%, $23
-Nice in the mouth; rich.
-Yummy. (Gus)
-Strong and vibrant.
-Very nice; nice Syrah nose; good now.
-JohnL says one of the best 3.
4) Le Clos du Caillou, 2000, Tres Vielles Vignes, 14%, $20
-Rich and fruity.
-OK, not the best, not the worst.
5) Coudoulet de Beaucastel, 2000, 13.5%
-Beauty parlor start; but nice finish.
6) Domaine Les Pallieres, 1999, Gigondas, 14%, $27
-Lovely violet aroma, austere flavor.
-Liquorish-cassis, nice.
-First one finished.
-Good
-Good balance, full flavor, nice finish.
7) Chateau du Trignon, 2000, Rasteau, Cotes du Rhone Villages, 13.5%, $15.50
-Bright. (Gus)
-Vegetal nose which carries through on the taste.
-Gigondas #7 more balance in flavor than Gigondas #5
8) Domaine de Durban, 2000, Beaumes-de-Venise, 14%, $14.50
-Dishwater
9) Domaine de L'Oratoire St. Martin, 2000, Cairanne, Haut-Coustias, 13.5%, $27.50
-Beautiful, rich, spicy.My favorite so far.
-Ditto.
-Very deep color. Geat but needs time to open up.
10) Domaine Chante Perdrix, 2000, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 13.5%, $27
-Smells like a dentist's office.
-Light but very pleasant.
-Smells like a perm, but nice finish.
-Perfumey (not an attractive quality).
11) Vacqueyras, 1999, Domaine La Garrigue, 13.5%
-Very vegatable, almost bottom of the veggie bin in my refrigerator.
-Vegetal nose, a little thin.
-Dry aftertaste for about 5 minutes.
-I haven't smelled anything like this since I left the hospital bacteriology lab.
12) Domaine Grand Nicolet, 2000, Rasteau, 14%
-Nice dark color, not much more but good syrah flavor, needs time to develop.
-"Home permanent" smell.
-Flavor better than the nose, some fullness.
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1) Marziano Abbona, Barbera D'Alba, 2001, 14%, $20
2) Anna Maria Abbona, Maioli, Dolcetto di Dogliani, 2000, 14%, $18
3) Ratti, Barbera D'Alba, 2000, 13%, $15
-Good flavors, full tannins. (GusC)
-I like this.
3.5) Elio Grasso, Barbera D'Alba, 1998, 14.5%
-Real pucker factor on initial taste. (GusC)
-Later in the evening this wine was full of flavors. (GusC)
4) Langhe, Buio, Enzo Boglietti, 1999, 14.5%, $34
5) Paitin, Langhe, 1999, 13%, $27
6) Marchessi Di Gresy, Barbaresco, Martinenga, 1997, 14%, $54
-Nice floral aftertaste.
6.5) Varaldo, Barbaresco, Lori Loreto, 1996, 14%
7) Ciabot Berton, Barolo, 1996, 14%, $34
8) Vietti, Barolo, Castiglione, 1997, 13.5%, $42
-Feels like a cat is licking your tongue. (Marc)
-Definitely furry. (Sherry)
-Great Tannins. Lots of flavors. (GusC)
9) Cannubi, Marchesi Di Barolo, 1997, 14.5%, $40
-Good tannins. (GusC)
-A lot of tannins, but one of my favorites for the night! (RobK)
10) Viberti, Barolo, 1997, 14%
-Pucker factor. (GusC)
-I think this wine has turned, a bit fizzy, and a bit vinegar. (RobK)
-Fizzy for some.
11) Deltetto, Barolo, Bussia, 1996, 14%
-Great tannins. Really good. (GusC)
-This was my favorite. Very sweet and full bodied.
-A big improvement over #10. Probably great in a 1997.
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1) Pezzi King Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, 1995, 14.9%, $25
-Bright, full, great tannins. (Gus)
-Hot, alcoholic, too much.
2) Ridge, Sonoma Station, 1996, 14.4%
-Lots of fruit variety.
-Excellent balance, one of the best.
3) Seghesio, Old Vines, Sonoma County, 2000, 15.3%, $23
-Full. (Gus)
4) Seghesio, Cortina, Dry Creek Valley, 2000, 15.4%, $23
-Spicy. (Gus)
-Better than number 3.
-Nice complex flavor.
5) St. Francis, Old Vines, 1998, 15.1%, $25
-Funky Nose.
6) Ravenswood, Sonoma County, 2000, 14.2%
-Nice wine, no obvious flavor.
7) Marr, Old Vine, 2000, 14.5%, $26 at McCarthy & Schering or from Jackie Marr's brother (case discounts available).
-Great, complex, flavor of chocolate.
-Chocolate. (John)
-Tastes great with chocolate.
-Great but...GONE!!
8) St. Francis, Old Vines, 1997, 16.1%, $18 (in January 2000)
-Better than the 98.
-Hot! (Alcoholic that is) -> drink up
-Beginning to show its high alcohol, but still good.
9) Cline, Ancient Vines, 2000, 15.5%, $20
-So far my favorite.
-Nice cherry.
-Also a little hot with alcohol, but nice flavor.
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