Birthday Tasting with Rhone Rangers

Last wine of the night may be considered blasphemy. It was my person concoction of 1/4 each of Alban Reva, the two Saxums and the Booker. WOTN!!! 98 points!!!




•2004 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley (9/17/2010)
Crazy, out of control delicious. Cherries, rasberry and a dose of road tar. Perfect spot for this wine for my palate. John Alban is a magician. (96 pts.)

•2005 Saxum Syrah Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard and 44 - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (9/17/2010)
Drank side by side with the 44 month. Both seamless. Around the table, not much difference between the two bottles. The finish on the 44 was smoother and regular bottling had more of a cocoa component. Both were crazy yummy and proves Justin is a master of Rhone style wines. Blueberry was the dominant fruit with some earthiness and wet stones. One person at the tasting described the finish as a piece of blueberry pie with cream soda. Finish is still pretty tight and still has some heat fromthe alcohol. This wine will continue to age well. (95 pts.)

•2007 Booker Vineyard Vertigo 28 months - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (9/17/2010)
This was one of the upside surprises of the night. Cumin, nutmeg and all spice ont he nse. On palate, cinnamon, clove, dark cherry. This wine is chunk and layered. It has a great flavor profile, including blackberry compote and some black tea in the background. Happy to support this vineyard. Great job. (94 pts.)

•2007 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (9/17/2010)
Beautiul floral nose, smooth entry. Weight of wine was more Euro than Paso. Best Espirit vintage I have had yet. Cherries, light chocolate nuances and some vanilla on nose and on finish. This wine is rocking right now. (93 pts.)

•2003 Pax Cuvée Moriah - USA, California, Sonoma County (9/17/2010)
Blueberries dominate with bright plum with smooth tannns. This wine is well knit. Some subtle gaminess. No apparent heat. Yummy (92 pts.)

•2008 Linne Calodo Rising Tides - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (9/17/2010)
Very rich wine. Syrah dominates. Meaty, chewy dark red fruit. Round, velvety bright cherry on finish. No fizz. Excellent young LC. (92 pts.)

•2009 Kinero Grenache Blanc Alice Blackseth Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (9/17/2010)
Light, fruity, tropical fruit of pineapple, banana and citrus. Great acidity and clean finish. Nice body and decent weight. Great starter for a Rhone Ranger tasting. (90 pts.)

•2008 Robert Foley Griffin - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (9/17/2010)
This wine is still a baby beast. Black ink in the glass. Young, tight, packs a punch. Dark black fruit with ample oak. Mouth puckering finish. Needs time but has the right recipe. Petite sirah dominant. (88 pts.)
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