2003 Bond St. Eden - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/11/2011)
This may be my wine of the year. Such an inviting nose. It has it all - power, grace and beauty. Purity of fruit dominates the profile - cherry and some blue fruit. Fat and luscious. Revisited at the end of the night. All I could say was, damn that is good stuff. (99 pts.)
1994 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/11/2011)
Found this in cellar even though it was presumed lost in CT. Winner. Great nose, killer, loved it. This wine was near peak but a decade way from dead. Mature cherry with some milk chocolate drizzle. Secondary flavors of cassis and kirsch. Rouns smooth tannins. (96 pts.)
2005 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District (8/11/2011)
This is a gorgeous beast. Huge blueberry and black cherry fruit. Lip smacker. Finish lasts forever. A bit sweet in the fruit department but I would equate it to baby fat. Very well integrated flavors. Mouth coating feel. This will be great in a decade. (95 pts.)
2007 Martinelli Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/11/2011)
Huge, lush pinot with some min and eucalyptus. Primary cherry and some vanilla. Very extracted bu comes together in a nice package. (95 pts.)
2007 Tensley Syrah Anniversary Series - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (8/11/2011)
Also, a new wine for me. This was the 10th annevsary. I am told that it is made form the best barrels of the year. It sure tassted that way! Bluebery pie in a glass with cinnamon and baking spices. Well made, smooth but a bit overextracted at first. Mellowed out quickly in the glass. No apparent heat. This was a table pleaser. (95 pts.)
2001 Shirvington Cabernet Sauvignon - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (8/11/2011)
This was my first expereince with this cab. Would not have guessed Aussie. Might not have guessed cab either. Thought that their was a zin/cab blend component to the fruit without the pepper. Great choclate nose, sweet tannins. Rich, rich, rich. Still very young. (94 pts.)
2005 Alban Vineyards Pandora - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (8/11/2011)
Bright fruit, some road tar, cassis, black cherry. Some heat on nose but not on palate. Extremely long finish. Surpisingly light on its feet. Grenache fruit profile for sure. Revisited at end of night at it was smoth with a nice rustic edge. (93 pts.)
