OakJamNapaCabFest

Cimarossa, 2007
Riva Di Ponente Vineyard
Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine was just too much for me. I want to write about it so I remember to not buy it again and stop trying  different Napa cabs when the style of 95% of them is just TOO jamberry syrup and woody for me. 

Cozy Fall Cabernet

Thanksgiving came to an end. I'm completely turkey and pinot-ed out and left with a craving for a sultry cab, reserve gouda, roaring fire and spanish guitar.

Popping a Fontanella Family Winery 2009. Premiere Napa Valley. Auction 15 Lot 124, Melanson Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon...Bottle 14 of 60. Not exactly sure what every detail means (except that this juice sounds pretty darn special) but also not in the mood to be a student tonight...just ready to drink something intense and tasty. That I got...

- Stains the glass a brickish purple

- Red rose on the nose, prettypretty

- Dense fruits: red and black but not pure jam, acidity is present with a youthful freshness

- Some oak on the finish, alllllllmost too much (others would hardly detect but I'm supersensitive to wood in my wine)

- Very silky tannins

- Leather, leaves, and a mellow dustiness/extra dimension

- Pleasant grip on the finish

- Ubercab

c o l g i n (napa cult syrah)

I know what I like and don't like. While I can appreciate how well made this wine is, the wine's meaty, smokey and herbal qualities stand out way too much. Those on top of the high alcohol (15.8%) start to mask the fruit which I'm sure is of the highest quality. Wanted to write again to remember this wine's first impression on me. Have a few more entries to make - have had a few noteworthy bottles recently.

Colgin, 2007, Syrah, Napa Valley (IX Estate)

Party Time

Last night Wine Gallery celebrated their 10th anniversary with an afternoon bbq and wine tasting. They brought out the best for us from cult cabs to grilled tri-tip and everyone had a blast. I got to taste through most of the whites (the Alsace Grand Cru riesling won) but really slowed down when it came to the reds because I got distracted by a bottle of Burgundy upstairs halfway through the affair (2005 A.-F. Gros Vosne-Romanee tends to do that). The reds I did have a chance to taste were excellent though. Here's my shortlist of gems:

Pinot Noir, Domaine Serene's "Yamill Cuvee"

Willamettte, Oregon, 2006

delicate red fruits, integrated alcohol, confirmed the loved i had for this producer's wines after their anniversary dinner at Delmonico in Las Vegas this past spring

Cab blend, Rudd's "Crossroads"

California, Napa Valley, Oakville, 2006

delicious wine good for drinking young, it's nice balance of rich dark fruits, good acidity, and silky tannin deserve its retail price of around $60

Cabernet Sauvignon, Round Pond

California, Napa Valley, Rutherford, 2005

prefer the Rudd over this but still noteworthy if you can find a deal on it (retails for about $65)

Cab blend, Turnbull's "Black Label" (reserve cab)

California, Napa Valley, 2006

like a slice of flourless chocolate cake...dense, decadent, but not too sweet