From Notes taken December, 2005:
Wine of Merit: ***Miura Vineyards, Cuvee Kemiji Portay, 1998: Now that’s what I am talking about. Super small production (like 50 cases) made by some MW in San Fran. Killer, cab/cab franc /merlot assemblage. Really worth seeking out. Jumps out of the glass. Thick, liquor like crème de cassis, black truffle, raspberry jam, mocha. Palate coating and long. Sweet tannins. Big hazelnut gelato on the finish. Not cheap but worth 2X as much. Great food wine. Buy more? If I can find some. I bought this wine from the Napa Valley Wine Exchange in San Fran and I am not sure they have any more.
***Robert Sinskey Pinot Blanc 2004: Fresh. This wine is a great aperitif. It wakes the palate. Honeysuckle, apricot, a little grassy. Great body for a young white with Crenshaw melon and citrus on the palate. This wine comes in 500 ml bottles which is perfect as it works out to a glass a piece for 4 people – a great way to start a meal. Wonderful.
**+Emilio Rojo Ribiero, 2003: Much hyped Spanish white. Expensive. An amalgam of a bunch of different white varietals which I cannot pronounce. Bottom line…very nice indeed. Reminds me of a serious loire white with more body and substance. Apple blossom, apricot, citrus zest and sage on the nose. Lovely color and very satisfying on the palate with more citrus and nutmeg. Good length. A crowd pleaser. I will not buy more.
**Sea Smoke, Southing, Pinot Noir, 2003: In your face. Highly extracted pinot with big clove, cola, black cherry and church incense. Fat and hot on the finish. Turley zin like qualities. Not my cup of tea but I can see why it is a crowd pleaser. To me this wine lacks balance and thus is a fun drink but not one I will seek out again.
**+Frogs Leap Late Leap 1993: “Le Baiser Magique!” This is a fun wine. A Napa sauterne – this is a late harvest, botrytis sauvignon blanc made like a D’Yquem. Thick, golden yellow, this wine shows band-aid qualities off the bat, giving way to mellow grilled peach, hazelnut and (thanks Stephen) toasted marshmallow. Some tobacco and white chocolate on the finish. Yum. A great finish to a meal, with the right dessert. A great ringer in a D’Yquem flight. Fun label!
**Scotland / Craig Rochioli vineyards pinot noir, 1993: Holding on. Deep black cherry and cola notes, incense and some pepper. Palate is thinning with some nice berry fruit and cream. Very nice but past its prime.
**+Emilio Rojo Ribiero, 2003: Much hyped Spanish white. Expensive. An amalgam of a bunch of different white varietals which I cannot pronounce. Bottom line…very nice indeed. Reminds me of a serious loire white with more body and substance. Apple blossom, apricot, citrus zest and sage on the nose. Lovely color and very satisfying on the palate with more citrus and nutmeg. Good length. A crowd pleaser. I will not buy more.
**Sea Smoke, Southing, Pinot Noir, 2003: In your face. Highly extracted pinot with big clove, cola, black cherry and church incense. Fat and hot on the finish. Turley zin like qualities. Not my cup of tea but I can see why it is a crowd pleaser. To me this wine lacks balance and thus is a fun drink but not one I will seek out again.
**+Frogs Leap Late Leap 1993: “Le Baiser Magique!” This is a fun wine. A Napa sauterne – this is a late harvest, botrytis sauvignon blanc made like a D’Yquem. Thick, golden yellow, this wine shows band-aid qualities off the bat, giving way to mellow grilled peach, hazelnut and (thanks Stephen) toasted marshmallow. Some tobacco and white chocolate on the finish. Yum. A great finish to a meal, with the right dessert. A great ringer in a D’Yquem flight. Fun label!
**Scotland / Craig Rochioli vineyards pinot noir, 1993: Holding on. Deep black cherry and cola notes, incense and some pepper. Palate is thinning with some nice berry fruit and cream. Very nice but past its prime.
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