Wines with Appetizers
2008 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted Blind (Black Bag 1): Bright red cherry, some vanilla but primarily red fruit. Most int he group guessed Washington State. This was my wine and I orgininally thought Washington to but after I identified the sweet but somewhat tart finish, I nailed the correct bottle. Originally I thought 2005 to 2008, but there was a youthful edginess that finished with some cocoa that changed my mind. (91 pts.)
1998 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Tasted Blind ( Red Bag #2): Sweet blueberry with a perfume nose with violets. Rich in the mid palate but exhibited some dustiness. Some thought Ritherford fruit. I had guessed Phelps Insignia but was wrong. Finish was a little flat but it had some vanilla and oak in the finish. As the night progressed, picked up some tobacco on the finish. Got dustier as the night went on. Fruit began to fade quickly. (89 pts.)
2004 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Tasted Bind ( Red Bag #3): This is killer juice. Inviting candied nose. Entry had some cedar and tobacco but definitely not Bordeaux. Fruit was mostly currants and plums. Seamless mid-palate and great mouthfeel. I guessed young Napa. Wrongo. This wine is elegant. (96 pts.)
1995 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Tasted Blind ( Red #4): This is exactly why blind tastings rock. I am definitely guilty of writing off certain vineyards and Silver Oak has been on that list over the last five years. This wine tasted aged. It was elegant and soft on entry. Some guessed Bordeaux and others thought Dominus. This wine is in a great spot and was regal. A bit of a clipped finish but that is splitting hairs. Fruit is near peak but this is sophisticated juice. Guilty as charged for writing off a great wine! Will think my pre-conceptions in the future. (95 pts.)
2008 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted Blind (Red Bag #5): Somewhat sour and tin. Initially very disappointing and that view was shared by the group. Everyone was silently hoping it wasn't there wine. The wine felt over-manipulated, tannic and thin. Just too simple. The interesting thing is I had this a few weeks back in a non-blind setting and really liked it. Was it pre-conception or was this an off bottle. I will reserve judgment to try again before writing it off. (17 views) (84 pts.)
Wines with Main Courses
1996 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace - USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain
Tasted Blind (Red Bag #1): This looked and tasted older than the first flight. It tasted tired and lacked character. Not a lot of fruit and the tannins were overpowering. Some guessed Diamond Creek and they were right. It wasn't me. I had no clue accept I didn't like it. After the reveal, a few thought that the wine needed another decade and all I could think of was if the fruit ain't here now, how could it show up in ten years? Clearly a bias to seeing the label. Blind is beautiful in these circumstances. (83 pts.)
1999 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection - USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted blind (Black bag #2). Everyone smelled it said, whoa, this is funky and musty. Flat and dead. Undrinkable. Cork was very crumbly. Won't make judgment. The person that brought it said others in the same lot recently were really good. (FLAWED)
2008 Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Tasted Blind (Black Bag #3) Beautiful fruit, big and bold. I guessed mid 2000s Napa. I thought it might have been the Realm that I brought but ws wrong. The wine had a great sweetness. Mnay said, I want to buy this wine. Very enjoyable. (93 pts.)
2005 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
Tasted Blind (Black Bag #4): Young and sweet, just like I like them!! Red fruit, including strawberry and red cherry. The fruit profile was bright and laser focused. Seamless. Someone thought that they drink this all the time in the tasting but I was the only one with any Realm experience. Ain't blind fun. (92 pts.)
2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted Blind (Red Bag #5): The wine was black as night. Gorgeous wine and nose. Proper structure, tannins and backbone. Very well made. Some guessed Insignia and they were right. This wine is full of blackberry, black cherry and plum. It is built to last. Finished a buit on the tannic side. (92 pts.)
Wine of the Night: 2004 Corliss
Surprise of the Night: 1995 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
Disappointments of the night: 99 Caymus SS, 2008 Paul Hobbs Napa, 1996 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace
Blind is Beautiful!!
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