Tasting Notes 7/5/13

NCWC ALL AMERICAN 90 POINT TASTING EVENT 7/5/13

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT
This is the California Brut sparkling wine from one of Champagne’s most famous houses, the makers of Cristal. A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, this is “sleek and impeccably focused and balanced, with floral apple, cinnamon and anise aromas and crisp yet supple lemon tart, cherry and spicy hazelnut flavors.” 91 points Wine Spectator. $21.97

COLUMBIA CREST H3 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010
From Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills, this Cab is “polished and distinctive, offering chocolate and espresso accents around a supple core of cherry and fresh currant fruit. The finish is well-defined, with a silky feel. Drink now through 2019.” 90 points Wine Spectator. $12.97

KEENAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008
“Keenan’s 2008 Cab is a blend of 76% estate fruit (meaning Spring Mountain!) and the rest from Napa’s Pope Valley. Its black/purple color is followed by abundant aromas of cassis, licorice, underbrush and graphite. Full-bodied and impressively endowed with stunning concentration, this may be the biggest, richest regular Cabernet Sauvignon Keenan has yet made.” 94 points Wine Advocate. $39.97

BECKMAN SYRAH 2010
Year after year, this Santa Ynez producer just kills Syrah, and this is no exception. “From its deep, saturated color to its heady aromas of blackberry, plum, game and black pepper, this wine makes a serious statement right out of the gate. Rich in the mouth and offering remarkable complexity and big texture, it overflows with dark black fruit flavors and layers of sweet chocolate and smoke. This is a big wine that demands decanting, and should prove cellar worthy for the next 10 years.” 91 points Jim Tobin. $19.97

GIRARD PETITE SIRAH 2010
“An absolutely beautiful bottle of wine. Sweet black currants, spices, violets, asphalt and grilled herbs all take shape in this mid-weight, yet luscious red. This is a refined, plush Petite Syrah with lovely balance. This is a great showing from Girard.” 93 points Robert Parker. $23.97

CAROL SHELTON WILD THING ZINFANDEL 2009
Carol Shelton loves Zin and pretty much hits it out of the park every time she makes one. This Mendocino offering “has aromas of black cherry, plum and raspberry fruit with a beautiful hint of vanilla-oak loveliness. It’s smoothly textured in the mouth, very creamy and round, with a long, lush finish — this wine is dangerously good! 90 points Wine Spectator. $16.97

SEGHESIO OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2009
Start with a “salty delicious mouthful of crunchy bacon. Throw in dried blackberries and blueberries, with a touch of smoky new oak, and that describes this fantastically pure, addictively good Zinfandel. The grape sourcing is from old vineyards in the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Truly a great Zin.” 94 points Wine Enthusiast. $27.97