After reading the Joe Dressner interview about wine tasting notes, and after recalling Lou's dismissal, I am almost reluctant to post another Napa Valley tasting note...but.
Oh well.
WTN: 2003 Elizabeth Spenser Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
I actively disliked the 2004 version of this wine (pruney flavors, no acid, acrid nose), but this 2003 was quite a bit better. Just a fresher, more balanced wine all around. Hint of herbs on the nose, with really bright currant fruit and refreshing acidity. Still definitely a ripe ripe ripe Napa Valley Cab with sweet fruit and plenty of alcohol (not too obtrusive, though), but I can drink this!!!! They are basically "out" of this vintage at the winery. I "know" 2003 is supposed to be a "bad vintage"-is this another case of the 1998 syndrome? . 89 points. (B+) Very fine!
Copertino Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Riserva 2000 (Negroamaro from Puglia) Only my second tasting of this grape. Now...this wine was probably one year or even two years past peak. Still, I really enjoyed it! Plenty of dark cherry fruit. Funkyness...soy? Definitely leather and tobacco underneath the cherry. Rustic but deliciously fuzzy tannins when first poured that smoothed out. Intriguing bitter note on the finish. The wine was marred somewhat by a hint of pruneyness and tiredness, but the acid and bitter notes and leather and cherry overcome this with brio. This wine cost $13. 91 points! I have another bottle of 2004 Negroamaro from another location in Puglia. Will look for this this week!