Tasting Group Ends 2010 with a Bang!

1990 Château Margaux - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (12/29/2010)
A young bordeaux nose and color to match. Taste and nose of cedar, deep red cherry, currants and earth. Silky sweet tannins. Smooth and seamless. Gained weight in the glass. As night progressed, added an asian spice and soy nose. This is how you fall in love with Bordeaux. (99 points)

1999 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/29/2010)
Deep red purple he. Cocoa and red fruit on nose. More plum than cherry. Fruit carried from entry to finish. Alcohol is well integrated. Great pedigree really delivers. Fruit has a nice pucker. This is a fun wine. Some dreied blueberries on finihsh. Enought bottle age but not too much. (97 points)

2008 Sine Qua Non Kolibri - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (12/29/2010)
Orange marmalade, pineapple, lemon curd on palate with amazing acidity. On the nose, along with the tropical fruit, a beautiful array of field flowers. Color was somewhat cloudy. I would have guessed Roussanne if tasted blind. (95 points)

1995 Château Cos d'Estournel - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (12/29/2010)
Dusty nose with a little funk that blew off quickly. Mostle mature cherry, moss and earth with some cedar in background. Siftened up in the glass. Slightly tart/clipped finish. (94 points)

2003 Saxum Cuvée Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (12/29/2010)
A bit clunky at first but after a few sips, the fruit hits you likea brick. Lots of white pepper and chocolate mix nicely with pure red fruit. Get mostly grenache on my palate. Some nice asian spices add to complexity. (94 points)

2005 Saxum Cuvée Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (12/29/2010)
Drank side by side with the 2003 Rocket Block. They were different exoperiences but both excellent.Blueberry and chocolate on palate and nose. Baking spice as well. Huge finish, easier to drink than the 2003.More floral. Lots of glycerin and slghly more sweet than the 2003. Is 5 year window the right place for this wine for my palate? (94 points)