2004 WRQ Wine Tastings
- Cabernets from Napa & Sonoma on Thursday, 16 December 2004
- Champagnes on Thursday, 18 November 2004
- Spanish Wines on Saturday, 9 October 2004
- Single Vineyard Zinfandel Wines on Friday, 24 September 2004
- Pinot Noir Under $20 on Thursday, 16 September 2004
- Belgium Beers on Thursday, 19 August 2004
- Big Alcohol Zinfandel Wines on Thursday, 15 July 2004
- California Wines (not from Napa, Sonoma or Alexander Valley) on Thursday, 24 June 2004
- Amarone & Ripasso Wines on Thursday, 15 April 2004
- French Bourgogne Wines on Thursday, 25 March 2004
- Washington Cabernet Wines on Thursday, 19 February 2004
- Sparkling Wines on Thursday, 15 January 2004
1) Murphy-Goode, Alexander Valley, 2001, 13.5%, ~$20
-Early favorite (Rob)
2) Beringer, Knights Valley, 2000, 13.5%, $18
3) Chappellet, Napa Valley, 2001, 14.5%, $46
-Better than number 4.
4) Edge, Napa Valley, 2002
-Earthy, bold (Gus).
-Blah (DJ).
-Nice, do I like it or number 11 better? (Rob).
5) Robert Craig, Howell Mountain, 2001, $52
-Nice, a little too much acidity?
6) Woodward Canyon, Washington Cab, 1996, 12.9% (RINGER)
-My favorite so far.
7) Domaine Napa, 2000, 12.5%
-Cherry, plum, spicy (Gus).
-Too hot! Alcohol overwhelms taste.
8) Edge, Napa Valley, 2002
9) Sandoval, 2002, 14.1%
-Best value, good wine for the money (Rob)
10) BV, Napa, 2001
11) Gneiss, Napa, 2001, $22, 14%
12) Provenance, Napa, 2001, $33, 14.5%
13) J. Garcia, Sonoma, 2001, 14.1%
14) Chateau Cantemerlee, Bordeaux, 2000 (courtesy of Gary Horen after bottles defrocked)
Back To Top
1) Agrapart et Fils, Brut, $30
-Crisp & green apple
-My favorite - nice & fruity
-Fresh & fruity - pretty nice
2) Bollinger, Special Cuvee, Brut, $42
-Toasty - very traditional
-Absolute favorite - cost be dammed!
-Grapefruit
-Clean spare
-Traditional & toasty & mellow - nice full body
3) Duval-Leroy, Brut, $25
-Fruitier than others
-Very good for price
-Elegant, solid
-Very nice, one of the best
4) E. Barnant, Brut, $30
-Light - slightly metallic
-Driest of the bunch
-Crisp & dry
5) Ployez-Jacquemart, Brut, $30
-Old socks - didn't like it
-Not as much depth as I expected
6) Billecart-Salmon, Brut, $35
-Spare, clean, elegant, but I want something yeasty!
-Tart, grapefruit hints. Very nice in an austere style
Additional Notes:
Favorite: Number 1
Least Favorite: Number 5
Actually, everything was very good.
Back To Top
1) Onix, Priorat, 2001, 14%, $10
-Good, fruity (Gus)
-Kind of light.
-Sweet, tasty (Rhonda)
2) Casa Castillo, Jumilla, 2002, 14%, $12
-Tannin forward (Gus)
3) Gran Oristan, Gran Reserva, LaMancha, 1996, $13
-Raisiny (Gus)
-Bitter, chemical taste (Rhonda)
4) Tinto Estecillo, Catayud, 2001, 14.5%, $13
-Good, Fruity (Gus)
-Woody (Rhonda)
-Unexpected fruit/citrus undertones.
5) Borsao, Borja, 2003, 14%
-Woody (Rhonda)
6) Neonato, Rioja, 2000, 12.5%
-Fruity (Gus)
7) Resalte, Duero, 2000, 13.5%, $25
-Some nice oak on the second tasting.
8) Marques de Rsical, Rioja, 1999, $18
-Pretty regular Rioja.
-Maybe I ate something that influenced this, but it tastes tinny & metalic.
-Update: Third tasting not tinny...Good
9) Torres, Gran Coronas, Cabernet Sauvignon, 1998
10) Alvarinho, Vinho Verde, 1999
11) Crianza Gran Diezmo, 1999
Back To Top
1) Bargetto, Rauser Vineyard, Lodi, 2002, ~$25
-Black Cherry, Smoky Finish
-Agree with above (Gus)
2) Columbia Winery, Alder Ridge Vineyard, 2002, $25
-Nice with a tannic finish (Gus)
3) Hendry, Block 7, 2002, $28
-Bold Flavor.
-Best yet.
-Really good, nice fruit and tannins. (Gus)
4) Chase, Hayne Vineyard, 2001, $34
-Plum nose.
-A bit sweet.
5) Ridge, Ponzo Vineyards, 2002, $27
-More tannins than I expected.
-Tanniny.
6) Storybook Mountain, Atlas Peak, 2001, $28
-Very good; dry finish. (Gus)
-Smooth, light, tasty.
7) Ridge, Jimsomare, 1998
-Berry, berry, good!
8) Sausal, Century Vines, 2001, ~$30
9) Truchard, 1996, ~$40
-Smells like moldy raspberries - not necessarily a bad thing but amazingly aged flavor.
Back To Top
1) Belvedere, Russian River Valley, 2001, 14.4%
2) Argyle, Willamette Valley, 2003, 14%, $16
3) Wind River, Cellio Vineyard, WA, 2002, 13%
4) 9th Island, Tasmania, 2003, 13.7%
5) Brooks, Oregon, 2002, 13.2%
6) H, Willamette Valley, Hamacher Wines, 13%
7) Panther Creek, Oregon, 2001, 13%, $19
8) Fetzer, Five Rivers Ranch, 2002, 13.3%
9) A-to-Z, Willamette, 2002, 13.5%, $20
-Round, well-balanced. (Gus)
10) Belle Pente, 2001, 13.3%, $16
11) Tori Mor, $17
12) La Crema, 2003, $17
Back To Top
The Bottles
1) Kasteel, Fermented with Cherries, 8%
-Sour cherry juice, very yummy, great sipping for the Summer. (Gus)
-Full bodied - not too sweet.
-Deep, lush, slightly sherry-prune.
2) Duvell, 8.5%
-Bitter.
-Crrrr-isp.
3) Troublette, Caracole, Wheat Ale, 5.5%
-Fresh, good summer brew.
4) Abbaye du Val-Dieu, Brown Ale, 8%
-Deep, a little musty.
5) Goudenband, Liefmans
-Caramel.
6) Gouden Carolus, Grand Cru of the Emperor, 10%
-Knockout drops - Mickey Finn with good taste.
7) Maredsous, Triple, 10%
-Rich
8) Guldenberg, 8%
-For hop-heads & bitter beer faces alike.
-Alpa's favorite.
9) Lindemann's Peche Lambic
-Nice wine cooler.
-I could snuggle up with this.
-My head will feel fuzzy inthe morning.
10) Lindemann's Cassis Lambic
-Grape sweet-tarts.
-The most electric currant lambic I've ever tasted!
Back To Top
1) Wineglass Cellars, Batch 00, 15.5%, $20
-Raisin
-Best wine
2) Bradford Mountain, Grist Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, 2002, 14.5%, $23 on Sale ($10 off)
-Tinny (Emily)
-Brassy (Michael)
-Yeah (Marta)
-Smells like grapes
3) Campus Oaks, Old Vines, Lodi, 2000, 15.1%
4) Ridge, Ponzo Vineyards, 2002, 14.4%, $26
-Yum
5) Seven Dealy Zins, Lodi Appelation, 2002, 14.8%
-Best of the night.
6) Beaulieu Vineyards, Napa, 1999, 14.5%, %16 in 2001
-Not bad.
Back To Top
#1 Amador Foothills
2001 Shenandoah Valley Esola Vineyards Zinfandel
- smooth
- alcoholic
#2 Ridge
2000 Dusi Ranch Zinfandel
- acidic
- kinda fizzy
- pop rocks!
#3 Renwood
2000 Jack Rabbit Flat Zinfandel
#4 Graff Family Vineyards
2001 Chalone Mourvedre
- aroma of caromel popcorn
- Blackberries
- lighter than anything so far
#5 Fess Parker
2001 Santa Barbara County Syrah
- mild barnyard smell
#6 Ridge
2002 Dusi Ranch Zinfandel
- no effervescense
- richer than #2
- held up well
#7 Hahn
2002 Central Coast Syrah
- Very nice
#8 Bonny Doon
1996 Barbera
- It is a Randall Graham wine!
#9 Campus Oaks
2000 Lodi Old Vine Zindfindel
Back To Top
1) La Grola, 2000, Allegrini, $21.99
-Seems light...
-Slightly earthy undertone.
-Too young for its price.
-Fruity - monochromatic, but solid
-Floral nose
-Maggie (Janet's friend) liked them all - first time to Winers event.
2) Tommasi Ripasso, 2000, Viticoltori, $23.49
-Yummy.
-Nice!
-Fruit forward
-Licorice.
-Better than number 1.
3) Cesari Mara Ripasso, 2001, $12.00
-Light chemical finish.
-Buy it, store it. With time it might be good.
-Fruity.
-Thin on the tongue.
3a) Cesari Mara Ripasso, 1998
-Difference is 3 years.
-3a is than that 3.
-Longer finish.
4) Zenato Ripassa, 1999, $20.00
-Jammy! Nice.
-Dry.
-Smooth and full.
-Best color.
-Best of the Ripasso.
5) Agricola Arano, 1999, Amarone, $55.00
-Tasty, but expensive.
-Dave Coder liked it.
-A little tannic.
-A little alcoholic.
-No raisin.
6) Allegrini, Amarone, 1999, $66.00
-Wow - very nice!
-Buy - enjoy it!
-In your face.
-Doesn't hide it alcohol.
-JohnL says it's OK.
-No nose.
-Open and drink; doesn't linger.
7) Zenato "Sergio Zenato" Amarone, 1997, $54.00
-Yep, it's big & I like it.
-Smooth - puts some jazz on and let it happen.
-It's gone.
-Very good.
8) See 3a.
9) Conti di Bregonzo, Amarone, $13.00
-Dry and tart.
-Bargain of the evening.
10) Bertani Amarone, 1988, About $200.00
-Raisin scented, light, slight fruit (Gus).
-Leathery.
-Fades fast.
11) Marr, Zinfandel, 2001 (Courtesy of Vintner Bob Marr)
-Great! Aftertaste lasts for a minute and a half. Vanilla!
-A bit sweet.
-Lovely.
-Sometime, we will have a Marr sampling.
-Zin was excellent.
12) Marr, Petite Sirah, 2001, $26 (Courtesy of Vintner Bob Marr)
-Thumbs up.
-Paired well with the Genoa Salami.
Back To Top
1) Corton, Pavelot, 1999
2) Savigny-Les-Beaune, Les Narbantons, Mongeard-Mogneret, 1998
3) Savigny-Les-Beaune, Les Serpentieres, Maurice Ecard, 2000
-Big floral note well planted in a smooth solid base.
4) Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Magnien, 1999
-Earthy, chewy. (Gus)
5) Morey-St-Denis, Clos Sorbe, Francois Legros, 2000
6) Clos des Epeneaux, Compte Armand, Pommard, 2001
-Bubble gum & tannin & tannin.
-Great finish (Gus)
7) Chambolle-Musigny, Premier Cru, Joseph Drouhin, 2000
-Svelte rose petals, lean, light tannins in search of roast duck.
8) Domaine Huber-Verdereau, Berlins, Pommard, 1998
-Too much tannin for its body.
-Starts big & bold, then fades; wants levitra?
9) Clos Ladybug, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir, 1999
-Smells like Merlot.
-Moo! Oink! Vegetal chocolate but good foundation/color; too young?
Back To Top
1) DeLille D2, 2001, Yakima Valley, 14.8%
-Earthy, spicy (Gus)
-It is earthy - good.
-Good.
2) Forgeron, 2001, Columbia Valley, 14.2%, $30
-Mellower than #1
-Most unusual of all - more like a pinot than a cabernet.
-Hated it.
3) Soos Creek, Columbia Valley, 2000, $28
-Very tannic, would age well.
-Currently doesn't live up to nose.
-Not that good after some time.
-Fruity.
4) Reininger, Walla Walla Valley, 2000, 13.5%, $32.50
-Dry, tannic (Gus)
-Oaky.
-Smooth.
5) Pepper Ridge, Walla Walla, 14.3%
-Oaky, like it.
-Vanilla.
6) Reininger, Walla Walla Valley, 2000, 13.5%, $32.50 (Same as 4)
7) Harlequin, Columbia Valley, 2000, 14.5%
8) Columbia Crest Reserve, Columbia Valley, 14.1%, $33
-Mellow, yum.
9) Walla Walla Vintners, Columbia Valley, 2001, 13.8%, $36
-Acetone scent.
-Vanilla (Gus)
10) Turnbull, Napa Valley, 2000, 14.2% (Outlier)
-Very palatable, love it.
-Good fruit and tannin balance (Gus)
11) DiStefano, Columbia Valley, 1994, 12%
12) Woodward Canyon, Canoe Ridge Vineyard, Artist Series, 1996, 12.9%
-Excellent.
-Well balanced.
Back To Top
1) Schramsberg, Cremant, Demi-sec, 2000, $32
-Flowery.
-Perfumy.
-Lavendar.
2) Fior d'Arancio, Marlunghe, Vino Spumante Dolce, 2002, $15
-Wonderful smell.
-Great orange blossom smell.
-Nice and light.
-Also floral, but lighter.
3) Cascinetta Vietti, Moscato d'asti, $14
-Absolutely luscious. Sweet, but not cloying. Very good with soft cheeses, fruit, and almonds.
-What she said.
4) Domaine J, Laurens, Brut, Blanc de Blanc, Cremant de Limoux, $14
-Not as rich but would make a nice Kir Royal. (http://www.drinkalizer.com/drinks/kir-royal.php)
5) Gruet, Blanc de Noir, Brut (New Mexico)
-A little bit sharp.
-Didn't even know there was a N.M. sparkling! (http://www.gruetwinery.com/)
6) Rustico, Nino Franco, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, $13
-Green apple aroma.
-Very fresh.
-Light drinkable, takes a little getting used to.
Back To Top
