February 25, 2012

North Shore Wine Tasting Group, Two 100 Point Wines, WTF, Wellesley, MA

2006 Noon Eclipse Proprietary Red (Mclaren Vale/Langhorn Creek, Australia) – blend of 65% Grenache & 35% Shiraz grapes
The 2006 Eclipse is a blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Shiraz, sourced from 60- to 80-year-old vines in McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek. The wine spent 18 months in small and large French and American oak. Dark ruby colored, it offers a fragrant, already complex bouquet of violets, mineral, Asian spices, leather, black cherry, and blueberry. Remarkably elegant and impeccably balanced, on the palate notes of garrigue, licorice, and kirsch emerge leading into a 60+-second finish. Rated 97 The Wine Advocate

1998 Dominus Estate (Napa Valley) – blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot & 6% Petit Verdot grapes
The 1998 Dominus Napanook Vineyard production was small because of a severe selection made by the Moueix team. A blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot, this outstanding wine exhibits a dark ruby/purple color in addition to a beautifully complex nose of coffee, black cherries, cassis, and sweet, clean, foresty scents. Low acidity gives the wine a plump, voluptuous texture and headiness. Seductive, open-knit, and expansive, it is ideal for drinking during its first 10-15 years of life.Rated 90-92 The Wine Advocate

1997 Staglin Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) – blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc grapes
This Cabernet includes a touch of Cabernet Franc in its blends, is aged in 100% French oak, and is quickly becoming a classic example of Rutherford Cabernet. The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon offers ripe cassis, new oak, tobacco, and spice box aromas and flavors. Rich, structured, moderately tannic, and long, it needs 2-3 years of cellaring, but should keep well for two decades. The Wine Advocate

2006 Von Siebenthal Montelig (Aconcagua, Chile) – blend 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenere, & 30% Petit Verdot grapes
The 2006 Montelig is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenere, and 30% Petit Verdot. My notes say “serious as a heart attack”. Aromas of wood smoke, pencil lead, mineral, blackcurrant, and blackberry lead to a dense, powerful, yet splendidly balanced wine with tons of flavor, 3-5 years of cellaring potential, and a 45-second finish.
If I were awarding an Oscar for finest performance by a winery, Von Siebenthal would be my winner. All of their wines are amazing values with the under $20 wines being nothing short of mind-boggling. Rated 92 Wine Advocate

2010 Chateau Pesquie Cuvee des Terrasses (Cotes du Ventoux, France) – blend of 70% Grenache & 30% Syrah grapes
The 2010 from Pesquie Terrasses, one of my all-time favorite producers in France, is a phenomenal bargain. This wine is absolutely stunning, and the best one they have made to date, and is a brilliant showcase for what looks to be another great vintage in the southern Rhone. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, with 65% aged in tank and the rest in old barrels and foudres, it is bottled unfined and unfiltered for the American market. It’s just terrific, and the good news is that there are 7,000 cases, which is a rarity in this business – finding something spectacular in quality, low in price, with excellent availability. Its stunning dense bluish/purple color offers up notes of sweet blueberries, black cherry liqueur, licorice, incense, and a hint of hot rocks (almost gravelly, in the Bordeaux sense), but the wine hits the palate with amazing texture, succulence, fabulous fruit intensity, vivid purity and a vigorous, long, fresh finish that goes on past 30 seconds. Amazing for a $15 wine, it can probably be found discounted at $12-13. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Rated 94 The Wine Advocate

2007 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, Washington) – blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon & 3% Merlot grapes
The flagship 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 3% Merlot. This multi-dimensional offering surrenders an inviting bouquet of sandalwood, Asian spices, violets, truffle, black currant, and blackberry. Seamless on the palate with no hard edges, it is mouth-coating, powerful, and exceptionally light on its feet all at the same time. Impeccably balanced and with plenty of fine-grained tannin in the background, it should effortlessly achieve its 30th birthday. The entire portfolio is a tour de force! Rated 100 The Wine Advocate

2007 Dow Vintage Port (Portugal)
Amazing aromas of lilac, violet, crushed blueberry and mineral that turn to black pepper and spices follow through to a full-bodied, medium-sweet palate, with a long, chewy finish. Evolves to tar and asphalt. Really held back, yet powerful grip slaps you—and makes you happy. This is mind-blowing in texture. The greatest Dow ever made. Best after 2022. Rated 100 Wine Spectator – Top 100 Wines of 2010, Rank # 14