The place for all things wine, focused on serious wine discussions.

WTN: Grand Dame, Sea Smoke, Catena Alta

Moderators: Jenise, Robin Garr, David M. Bueker

no avatar
User

Sam Platt

Rank

I am Sam, Sam I am

Posts

2330

Joined

Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:22 pm

Location

Indiana, USA

WTN: Grand Dame, Sea Smoke, Catena Alta

by Sam Platt » Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:04 am

We planned a last minute get together at the home of some close friends to sip some wine and eat a light meal of cheese, bread, fruit and nuts. We agreed to bring the wines. I had almost no time to think about pairings so I just grabbed some stuff that I've wanted to try for a while.

1998 La Grand Dame

Light straw with lots of tiny bubbles. The nose was a bit more muted than I had expected with some toast and almond notes. Honey and toast on the palate with a bone dry finish. Nice champagne but not as enticing as I had hoped it would be.

2010 Sea Smoke Chardonnay

Pale yellow. Big Nose of citrus and nuts. Lots of lemon on entry followed be an almost explosive second stage of apple and almonds. The oak complimented this nicely balanced wine rather than overwhelmed it. A crisp acidity tied the whole thing together. If this isn't the best CA Chard I've ever had it's definitely in the top three. Great stuff.

2040 Catena Alta Malbec

The last time I tasted this wine the tannins punched me right in the mouth to the point that I could focus on nothing else. Thanks to two years of additional age, and a four hour decant, this wine has mellowed a lot. Color was inky purple and this particular bottle threw off a lot of black sediment. Very nice nose of plowed dirt. Berries, anise, chocolate and over time some tobacco notes emerged on the palate. A very nice wine but a bit heavy for the light fare being served. This wine cries out for grilled meat.
Sam

"The biggest problem most people have is that they think they shouldn't have any." - Tony Robbins
no avatar
User

Mark Lipton

Rank

Oenochemist

Posts

4285

Joined

Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:18 pm

Location

Indiana

Re: WTN: Grand Dame, Sea Smoke, Catena Alta

by Mark Lipton » Sat Jun 22, 2013 12:58 pm

Sam Platt wrote:
2040 Catena Alta Malbec


You part of their futures program, Sam? :mrgreen: Interesting notes, BTW

Mark Lipton
no avatar
User

Sam Platt

Rank

I am Sam, Sam I am

Posts

2330

Joined

Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:22 pm

Location

Indiana, USA

Re: WTN: Grand Dame, Sea Smoke, Catena Alta

by Sam Platt » Sat Jun 22, 2013 1:41 pm

You part of their futures program,Sam? Interesting notes, BTW

Mark Lipton

I thought that everyone had a flux capacitor, Mark. :)

That should read "2004."
Sam

"The biggest problem most people have is that they think they shouldn't have any." - Tony Robbins
no avatar
User

ChaimShraga

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

663

Joined

Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:53 am

Location

Tel-Aviv, Israel

Re: WTN: Grand Dame, Sea Smoke, Catena Alta

by ChaimShraga » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:41 pm

Oh my god, Sam! You turned your wine fridge into... a time machine?!
Positive Discrimination For White Wines!
http://2GrandCru.blogspot.com
no avatar
User

Dan Smothergill

Rank

Wine guru

Posts

729

Joined

Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:24 pm

Location

Syracuse, NY

Re: WTN: Grand Dame, Sea Smoke, Catena Alta

by Dan Smothergill » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:01 am

In case anyone else was intrigued by the note on Sea Smoke Chardonnay the price is around $80.
no avatar
User

JC (NC)

Rank

Lifelong Learner

Posts

6679

Joined

Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:23 pm

Location

Fayetteville, NC

Re: WTN: Grand Dame, Sea Smoke, Catena Alta

by JC (NC) » Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:08 pm

I've liked the Catena Alta Chardonnay in the past. The grapes are grown at a high altitude and don't taste overripe.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: AhrefsBot, Amazonbot, ClaudeBot, Google [Bot] and 5 guests

Powered by phpBB ® | phpBB3 Style by KomiDesign