A really nice group gathered at our house for a look at mature American wine. We had some cheese (Pleasant Ridge Reserve , Rodolph le Meunier Comte, Delice de Bourgogne, 7 month Manchego, NY State Jake’s Gouda ) , Torres chips, and charcuterie (smoked duck, pate, soppressata, loukaniko).
2002 Pol Roger Brut Champagne
Apples, pears and caraway seed. Subdued mousse, this bottle actually seems a little tired. B-
1998 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir
Not as expressive as a recent 1999, some black cherry, espresso, still some tannic structure. B
1998 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir
Great coffee/earth/cherry blossom nose, but on palate there’s a bitter oaky edge to the finish. B- (A nose, C palate)
2001 Edmunds St. John “Wylie-Fenaughty” Syrah
I’ve really enjoyed bottles of this is in the past, but this one seemed a tad less balanced and a little hot. Ripe fruit, menthol, a little porty note. B/B- for a wine I’ve loved in past.
1993 Edmunds St. John "Durrell"Syrah
Blackcurrant and raspberry, smoky, meaty notes, with black olives and underbrush. Lovely and long (some others don’t enjoy as much). A-/B+
1974 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah
I’ve had this 3 times, once again I say its best PS I’ve ever had. .Herby, black and red fruits, a little animal fur. Long and complex. A-
2014 Marguet Sapience
Marguet supplies PN, the Chardonnay from Leclapart, the Meunier from Laval. Rich, fresh, complex and elegant. Pears, brioche, almond cookie. Killer stuff. A-/A
1982 Montelena Chardonnay (Napa)
Fairly deep gold, approached with some trepidation, but this is surprisingly fresh. Apple turnover, white flowers, cashew nuts. Some argued it didn’t have complexity, but I thought very good showing for age. B/B+
1978 Cuvaison Zinfandel (Napa)
Volatile nose, blackberry and balsamic, a bit unbalanced on palate, C/C+
1977 Joseph Swan Zinfandel (Mendocino)
Red raspberry, briary, cinnamon spice, nice. B+/A-
1996 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
Very young, decades ahead. Cassis, anise, bell pepper, tons of structure, B for drinking now, A potential.
1984 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
I liked more than some. Black plums, mushrooms, earth, not super long but a pleasant mature CS. B
1984 Lyeth Red(Alexander)
Somehow didn’t write anything down for this, but I liked less than the Cakebread. Still some fruit, but not lots of interest.
Somewhere in here Betsy’s beef stew made its appearance.
1983 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
Dark fruit, cedar and eucalyptus, fine grained, nice length. B+
1978 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
A little muddy (traveled before decanting), black plum and currant,.a little tobacco. B
1978 Cuvaison Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
High toned, a little weedy, sharp acids. B-
1976 Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
My red of the night. Lovely, long, cassis and black cherry, cedar, herbs. Still some tannin but really quite velvety, nice finish. A-/A
1971 Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
Maderized (cork seemed loose, other bottles from same lot were excellent)
1970 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa)
Advanced, but to me quite drinkable. Slightly funky nose, solid black raspberry fruit, ok finish, B-
1995 Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou
Still a bit young, more structure than desired for current drinking, but solid cassis and plum fruit, with a hint of cigarbox to come. B/B- for current drinking, but would love to try in a decade.
Very fun afternoon/evening night with a good crowd who were very tolerant of a Basset intent on food theft.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.