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95 Dominique Laurent Morey-St. Denis 1er Cru Cuvee
Tradition-Light, maturing color. Initially tight. Opens up over
next 30-45 minutes. Perfumy nose showing anise, orange, roses and
slight VA. High acid, terroir-driven wine. Flavors of sour cherry, orange
juice, Juicy Fruit gum, camphor. Fading fruit. Long finish dominated
by tart acids and high pitch tannins. Seems correct, but rather austere.
Drink up. With food, 88 points; 83 without.
55 Vallana Spanna del Piemonte VdT-Enjoyed on my 45th birthday.
Medium- light, maroon/red color. Forward bouquet showing classic nebbiolo
elements of dried cherry, violets, tar, and hints of damp fur. Exquisite
in the mouth, the fruit so young and vibrant, the acidity having
a precise, focused cut that carries from attack through finish. The
still fresh fruit and fine, resolved tannins wind around each other
in a velvety weave. Some secondary and tertiary aged character (cedar,
leather) is present, but primary red fruit and preserved flowers carry
the center of the palate. A well-stored bottle can last another couple
decades. A very impressive bottle which could shame many a younger
Barolo. 93.
94 Beaucastel CDP Blanc-Bouquet of honeysuckle, candle wax, white
stone fruit, grapefruit zest, and macadamia nuts. Nutty flavor, with
flinty backbone, lemon, camphor, and pear. Somewhat oily texture
with medium finish. Somewhat softer and more elegant than expected.
90 points. Drink over next 2 years.
96 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay-Fruity, crystalline bouquet.
Classic Talbott style, emphasizing fruit with minimal oak intrusion.
Lovely, focused flavors. Citrus zest, nectarine, Meyer lemon, passion
fruit, stony minerals. Crisp acidity and long, balanced finish. 92.
Drink over next 3 years.
91 Lane Tanner Sanford and Benedict Pinot
Noir Signature Series-Medium- light Burgundy color. Expansive bouquet
showing spicy dried raspberry, sachet floral, and some earthy elements.
Mature, classic PN. Harmony and elegance, with restrained power.
Black fruit, dark cherry, some S&B mineral-earth character, and
finely resolved tannins. Excellent finish, clean and in proper balance.
Perhaps Lane's finest effort, nay perfection in a CA PN. 94. Drink over
next 2-3 years.
94 Turriga (Sardinia)-Slightly aging color. Modest bouquet. Soft,
plush mature Grenache (aka cannonau) fruit flavors, showing some
red plum and boysenberry, with a creamy texture. Fully resolved soft
tannins, moderate acidity, and round in the mouth. Somewhat short
finish. Lacks the herbal and animal qualities of its Rhone brethren.
88. Drink up.
97 Oakville Ranch Cabernet-Dark color. Lots of oak, both up front
and in the finish. Decently concentrated black cherry fruit and cola.
Broad tannic profile with proper balancing acidity. Too much raw
oak for me, at this stage, but others liked it. If the oak integrates,
this should drink nicely in 3-5 years. There are lots of $40 Napa
cabs, and this leaves me without a sense of distinctiveness. 89(+?).
85 Laurel Glen Cabernet-Medium dark color showing some maturation
and sedimentation. Truly gorgeous bouquet, with aged red fruit, floral
perfumed and secondary characteristics. This is what maturing CA
cab is all about. Opulent in the mouth. Layer after layer of flavors,
red and dark fruits, licorice, a complete and complex amalgam of
middle-aged, maturing cab flavors. Long and perfectly balanced finish,
with sustaining fine tannins and supportive acidity. Impressive showing.
Thanks to Tom Garcia for bringing the bottle. Another 6- 10 years of life
ahead. 95.
94 Swanson-Dark violet color. Huge nose of black fruits and spice.
Very intense attack, substantial tannins, and impressive density
comparable to a top Aussie shiraz. Layers of black fruits, ferric
minerality, India ink, blueberry, and suave oak seemingly buried
by the dense fruit. Good viscousity. Extremely long. This is first
rate, terrific CA syrah. Everything is in order for a long life.
Don't open for another 3-6 years, and should last at least another 10 years.
95(+?). |
