A wine friend who recently relocated to Austin Texas called and said he wou ld be in town so I hastily called a few friends to join us. An assortment of cheeses, mortadella and salumis, snacks and great local pizza (wine folk s love pizza) magically started appearing with each ring of the doorbell. I kept very brief notes/imoressions of some imressive wines. Lots of laugh s, very little serious wine talk save for the usual pinot versus cabernet w hich is better argument.
NV Krug Grande Cuvee Brut...great mousse, typical Krug flavor profile of to asted brioche and almonds. Lively acidity, lemon peel and flowers. B+
NV Krug Rose... beautiful nose of strawberries and cherries in marzipan pas try. Lively on the palate. Unmistakable Krug mature flavor profile. Delici ous buttered toast with strawberry preserves and almond liquer. A
2007 Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva...Wow.Tempranillo with a bit of Grenache (2 0% I was told) smooth and supple. Kirsch and blackberries. a real sleper t hat eveyone loved. B++2002 Quilceda Creek Washington Cabernet Sauvignon...Totally balanced and se amless. Deep black fruit flavors. A bit of coconut on the nose with fresh herbs and blackfruits. I didn't love it but some did. "B"
2002 Phelps Insignia Napa Cabernet...Similar to the Quilceda Creek. A bit over oaked and pronounced herbal/grassy finish. Still a bit tannic and not resolved. Cassis and Napa dust. B-2007 Renwood Zinfandel...This wine didn't have a chance. Spicebox, oaky va nilla and very primary and simple. C+
2011 Cayuse "Cailloux" Walla Walla" Syrah...Not my style of syrah. Huge, s mokey, oaky, palate staining. Very primary with lush tannins. Big black f ruit flavors, quite soft and flabby. Some gushed...me not so much. "B-2011 Aubert Ritchie Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir...Big dark and broodi ng. Quite rich and deep on the palate. Black cherry and Asian spices. De licious and sumptuous with a nice balancing acidity...B++
2012 Faila Keefer Ranch Russian River Pinot Noir...Much lighter in the glas s than the Aubert. Pale red with nose of mushrooms, flowers, some exotic s pice and cherries. Gained weight with each sip. I enjoyed more than the A ubert. A1992 Caymus SS Napa Cabernet...WOTN. Still quite youthful in the glass sho wing no age. Wonderful example of what Napa Cab can be. Complex nose of e spresso, Napa dust, cassis, mint and leather. Resolved tannins with layers of flavors. deep blackberry to black cherry to minty chocolate, etc. A+
Good wine night and lots of fun.