Wine of Merit: ***++Petites Maisons Las Madres Vineyard Syrah, 2004: This is a Crushpad wine – the place where I am making White Hawk vineyard syrah. I have barrel tasted the Las Madres syrah and found it less appealing. Tonight, in this bottle, it is downright yummy. Redolent with red, plumy fruit, Asian spices, pie crust and cardamom, this wine is the perfect accompaniment to a snowy day by the fire. Juicy, maybe even lush, with a touch of roasted red pepper. Great balance, great integration…perhaps a bit more evolved than I would have guessed, with fine, almost sweet tannins. Feminine and nuanced. I could drink the whole bottling in one sitting…In fact, I finished the glass just while typing this note. Lovely! To think, it cost $13 a pop to make this wine. It is a downright crime!
***Snowden “Lost Vineyard”, cabernet sauvignon, 2004: I believe this is their second label and as such priced very competitively…in the high 20s…As such this is a screaming bargain, and probably endemic of the quality of the 2004 vintage. Lovely, nuanced cabernet nose, with black and red fruits, truffle, earth and mint. Deep and delicious. Palate is layered offering more of the same, licorice and minerals. Fine, integrated finish. I would have guessed a MUCH more expensive wine. If you can buy this at less than $30, make it your everyday wine and thank me later.
***++Gary Farrell, Starr Ridge vineyard, pinot noir, 2004: Gary Farrell and pinot noir. Doug Nalle and zinfandel. Certain things go together. I have been a big fan of Gary’s since his Davis Bynum days. His wines are always very consistent, true to the RRV and delicious. Not overblown, over extracted or in your face. Just right. This is no exception. Lovely bing cherry, baking spices, cream, cola and green tea. Just the right amount of oak. Lively. Perhaps just a tad light on the palate, though time may add some depth. Great integration. My only gripe is that his wines are starting to get pricey. I used to buy them for under $20. And ice cream cost a nickel I guess…
*++Deloach, Russian River Valley pinot noir, 2005: That’s right…2005. Deloach has changed hands and now Greg LaFolette, he of Flowers fame, makes the wine there. The Carolina Wine Co proclaimed this a no brainer – so I bought a bottle at a wine store to try. Well – don’t believe the hype. Not particularly good, this wine offers ripe, almost preserve like plum and cherry…and maybe some chocolate. Palate is flabby and no finish to note. It tastes mass produced…and probably is. Of course, it is so young, maybe the issue is required bottle age…but I doubt it. Pass.
***+Salomon, Undhof Riesling, 1993: Austrian dry Riesling. I dig it. An Amanti vino recommendation, this wine is surprisingly fresh and delicious. Pale straw in color. White peaches, petrol, white flowers on the nose. Mission fig, melon and a touch of honey on the lithe but full palate, along with nice minerality and dried herbs. The finish is long and offers some spice. The label says Library, suggesting a late release? Nice!
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