A very fun tasting with friends at Yale last Sat (from which I just found the notes). No wine expertise in the group, and (hence, perhaps) no theme other than price. We drank most of the
7 bottles between the 8 of us (the 8th was a Blackstone Merlot which I autocratically and surreptitiously deleted from the series), so notes (in order of drinking) may get dodgy especially towards the end.Whites:
2001 Les Barres Pouilly-Vinzelles. Clean but innocuous, gave the impression of tasting of steel. No change in glass, minimal nose, but above average - pleasant, just too mild for my taste. B-; consensus best of whites but only b/c the next was too old.1996 Bourgogne Domaine A. Ropiteau. Musty, especially at initial opening, and I think (well) past peak, but a more complex and interesting wine than the first. Clearest 'melon' in both nose and taste I've had. Opened quite a lot in the glass, would probably have benefitted from being left longer, but still over the hill. B-, but expected to have been better. Poor storage conditions over the past couple of years likely damaged this :(.
2002 Dry Creek Fume Blanc. Tasted (and was) cheaper - I think more in the $10-12 range. I'm not a Sauv Blanc fan, but even for me this was not good - identifably SB but little else there. C/C+.Reds:
1995 Montepulciano vino nobile Valdepiatta. From the same folks (and storage) as the '96 bourgogne above, and shared the past-peak impression at first (some must, cobwebby taste, all nose and front with no finish) but opened a *lot* in glass over maybe 15 min to develop chewy wood, tons of berries, smooth and complex, maintaining interest/balance throughout the swallow (poor phrasing - trying to say that neither initial 'hit' nor end overwhelmed, but all were blended; this is praise). Yummy - this tasted like an expensive wine, although a quick Google didn't find a price guide. B+/A- despite poor storage; if this is typical, drink now though. Anyone know where I can buy some?2001 Ravenswood Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel. After the Valdepiatta, the much more 'upfront' attack here came as a bit of a shock; feels much more designed to be drunk young. That first mouthful is great, but after that paled in comparison to the montepulciano. Disappointing to me. C+/B-, at $15
2002 Seghesio Sonoma Zin (not the old vine), $17. *Far* better balanced Zin, really quite glorious - good spice level, lots of cherries and almost hawthorn taste. Better than their 2001, which was also very good - this was yummy, easily consensus wine of the evening, and the only thing I've had recently which made me go back and buy a case. Solid, not overwhelmiing mouthfeel. Can you tell I liked this? :) A (at price point)/A-. As it happens, it seems that WS gave this 92 points. I should find out who rated it.2002 David Coffaro Aca Modot. Not a wine I knew, and label notes only 360 cases made. Unfiltered, 55% Cab Sauv blended w/ merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. I worried that we were drinking this too young, and that may have been the case but it's not clear - this was gentle and balanced but not overly impressive and no clear sign that one would expect future development. B-