WTN: Catching Up

I haven't written any notes for a while...

•2007 Sacred Hill Cabernet-Merlot Helmsman - New Zealand, North Island, Hawkes Bay (2/3/2012)
Deep ruby in colour, with oak and blackfruits on the nose. Lots of oak on the medium-full bodied palate too, with smooth tannins and texture, cassis, plums and tar. Quite modern in style, and not really speaking of the Gimlett Gravels regions now. Too young now, but this has the fruit to continue to improve. The cabernet id definitely dominant now. I'll wait on my other bottle for at least 2 years for the oak to integrate better. (A-)

•1990 Peter Lehmann The King AD 2011 Port - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (1/29/2012)
Medium brick in colour, with sweet plums. cloves and tar on the nose. The medium bodied palate is quite smooth, sweet but not too sweet, with more plums, slight xmas cake notes, cloves and cinamon. I has left this in the cellar for quite a while, and had no idea what this would be like, but it was actually quite nice. Unbalanced when I first opened it, but on the second day this really smoothed out and integrated well. (A-)

•2003 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (1/28/2012)
Hazy notes from last night. A little too much sweetness and American oak for me. (B/B+)

•2001 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Josephshöfer Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (1/28/2012)
Hazy notes from an offline last night. Worderful secondary notes and great integration now for this wine. Great balance too, with a combination of stonefruit, citrus fruit and minerals. Could last quite a while yet, but ready now. (A-)

•2000 Château Lanessan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (1/23/2012)
Hazy notes from last night. Very nice wine, a little modern in style, but with excellent fruit, structure and acidity. Good concentration and ripeness as well, although the midpalate and length weren't outstanding. Definitely improved as the night went on, so this should last several years yet easy. (A-)

•2004 Domaine Cauhapé Jurançon Symphonie de Novembre - France, Southwest France, Jurançon (1/20/2012)
From a 375ml. Wasn't happy to see a 'novocork', some kind of plastic cork on this bottle. But it didn't seem to affect the wine. Light gold in colour, with a lovely nose of stonefruit, honey and slate emerging. The medium bodied palate was even more intriging and unique. Honeyed apricot, pear, orange and nectarine were the main features, with some tobacco, caramel and oxidation as well (the latter all positive). Very clean and crisp due to the very well integrated acidity. In between an off dry and dessert wine - not as rich as a sauturnes. Wonderful, interesting, unique wine that I really loved (A-). The cork is a worry, but the wine itself could last for many years. (A-)

•2004 Lamborghini (La Fiorita) Campoleone Umbria IGT - Italy, Umbria, Umbria IGT (1/17/2012)
Hazy notes from last night. Lovely nose on this wine, more Bordeaux-like than Italian. Same went for the palate, where the merlot seemed to be dominant right now. Plums and smoke were the only notes I remember on the medium bodied, dry palate. There were some tannins still, and well integrated acidity. Interesting blend, and better than I expected. Great food wine, and should continue to improve. (A-)

•2006 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Fiancée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (1/15/2012)
Even after a 3 hour decant (and more), this was pretty closed. Fairly tannic, tar and plums on the nose, and more earthy, smoky notes on the palate. Improved over the night, but this one's a baby. Still quite impressive, with good concentration and a good future (A-).

•2004 Château du Trignon Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet (1/13/2012)
Last bottle. These three bottles have been great QPR and very consistent. A solid if unspectacular producer and vintage, but these have punched above their weight. At cellar temperature, not too expressive, but when warmed up it provides a better experience. Light ruby with smoke, game, earth, cinnamon and cherries on the fairly expressive nose. The medium bodied palate offers game, garrigue, pepper and cherries. It has nice elegance and texture, but some power and complexity for a CDR-V. Still some tannins left: the fruit may be disappearing?. (B+/A-)

•2000 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (1/12/2012)
Hazy notes from two days ago. Decanted about an hour, then shared with a friend. Lots of blackfruits on the nose, and a hint of mint as well. Lovely aged characteristics, the exhuberant fruit has settled down, and it ends with a slight sweet fruit note, but this doesn't detract from the wine at all. Smooth and veltvety on the medium-full bodied palate, but there's still nice structure there. No greeness at all. Drinking at peak now, I think, but should still remain on the plateau for a couple years yet. Lovely wine. (A-)

•2005 Château Gaudrelle Vouvray - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (1/10/2012)
Light yellow/gold in colour, with classic chenin nose including wool, apples and an earthy note. Smells off-dry, and reflects its sec tendre status on the medium-bodied palate, with a lovely balance between the sugar, fruit and acidity. Slightly viscous, with earthy apple, pear, oats and honey notes. Still rather primary, so it should last another few years: not bad for an entry level wine from a good but not great vouvray producer. (B+)

•2007 Trust Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (1/7/2012)
Nice cab, but I wished a bit for a bit more varietal characteristics. But this is a seamless, modern style, quite tasty, though it has reasonable structure as well. Probably too young, I think it will improve with time. (B+)

•2006 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton (1/5/2012)
Hazy notes from 3 days ago. Put this in a decanter for about an hour, and then drank with a friend with another OR pinot. I wasn't all that impressed, as I wanted more 'pinosity' in the wine. It seems to be a somewhat typical (as a sweeping generalization) of the 2006s in OR: a little 'too much' was in there. Rather plodding, a nice nose but not much excitment on the palate, and little typicity. The best feature was a lovely velvety mouthfeel. I liked it much less than my firiend, FWIW. (B/B+)

•2005 Huët Vouvray Pétillant Brut - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray Pétillant (1/1/2012)
Hazy notes from a few days ago. A wonderful, interesting sparkling wine that will probably improve with additional age, but was tasty now as well. Nice balance of acid, mninerality and mainly citrus fruit; solid power too. (A-)

•2009 Cave de Tain l'Hermitage St. Péray Fleur De Roc - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Péray (1/1/2012)
Didn't take notes, but I thought this was a very nice though not quite outstanding wine. Probably would improve with age. (B+)

•2003 Château de Chamboureau Savennières Cuvée d'Avant - France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières (1/1/2012)
No notes, but this was a somewhat tame though excellent chenin; by tame I mean there wasn't the funky flavours one sometimes gets (and I love) with this wine. Still lots of time left on this, and it has never reflected the bad traits of the 2003 vintage, in that it is quite balanced. (A-)

•2004 Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Cuvée Guy Moreau - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (1/1/2012)
Didn't take notes, but this was lovely chablis, with nioce concentration, a slight butterscotch note, and great minerality. Still young, but still nice now. (A-)

•2005 Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras (12/27/2011)
No notes, but much younger andf tighter than the 2004. Tasted far more 'modern' as well, But, as always, a solid wine. (B+)

•2004 Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vacqueyras (12/27/2011)
Didn't take notes, but this was an excellent wine that showed a lot better (mainly more complexity) than the 2005. Great value. (A-)

•2005 Alain Voge St. Péray Fleur de Crussol - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Péray (11/29/2011)
Light golden yellow in colour. Complex nose, with yellow fruits (starfruit in particular), honeysuckle and other floral notes. The medium-full bodied palate is equally complex and very tasty indeed. There's a honeyed nut and fruit (but quite dry) note, a hint of oxidation that reminds me of a Savennieres and really adds to the interest, a dash of cloves and cinnamon, and a long, lingering finish. There's a slightly viscous texture as well. This is an outstanding, unique wine: I wish I had a case of this! (A-)

•2000 Patrick Lesec Cornas Le Vignon - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (11/16/2011)
Hmm, quite a cloudy wine when poured. This was showing a sauvage side, lots of game, leather, definitely some brett, quite funky. But I can't help but wonder if it isn't flawed in some way. Most people at the table hated it, but they are New World oriented. I only had a glass, and couldn't quite decide if I loved or hated it. Drinkable, and very interesting, but again, it may have been flawed, so no rating. Definitely very different than the last bottle.

•2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (11/16/2011)
Didn't take notes, but this bottle was singing last night. Not much complexity, but it certainly is very tasty, with a smooth, velvety texture, nice concentration and quite well balanced. Definitely an easy drinking fruit bomb, but quite delicious and greatly enjoyed by everyone at the table. (A-)

•2003 Lingenfelder Grosskarlbacher Burgweg Riesling Auslese - Germany, Pfalz (11/13/2011)
From half bottle. This was an interesting wine. There was some oxidation, and this is going downhill already, which is a little surprising. Almost completely dry now, quite different than the last bottle I tried - 4 years ago? - but there still some interesting citrus and stonefruit flavours that prevail over the oxidation. I'd drink up ASAP if you have any. (B+)

•2002 St. Urbans-Hof Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (10/11/2011)
I had this last night. Didn't take notes, but it was in a great place with a snapper dish cooked in a coconut milk, tomatoes and coriander: lots of slate, nectarines, and apricots on the nose and palate, great balance, and just starting to show the secondary notes and harmony that comes with time. (A-)

•2002 Château de Chamirey Mercurey - France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Mercurey (10/9/2011)
Brought this to a thanksgiving dinner, and it performed as well as a village wine could or should. Seemed ready to go now, as I just popped and poured this, but it had considerable complexity, nice focus and a pleasing finish. (B+/A-)

Good to see you here again John. I tried to find you but lucked out.
(You were asking about the new Germany at DeVines. They are now all in and catalogued). Can you email me?

[David M. Bueker]

Nice report!

I have a number of those same wines in the cellar, so very useful information.

That Huet Petillant is a great wine, and still remains a great buy in bubbly at around $30-$35 US.

[Jenise]

Not surprised by the sweetness you mention on the Woodward Canyon AS. It's taken me awhile to realize, as the first bottle of Artist Series I ever had didn't seem as sweet as every bottle since, and since the Dedication Series wines I like best aren't that way, that sweetness is a characteristic built into this wine. Wish it weren't.

Interesting note on the TRUST. Not a name I see around often. I have two bottles of his reserve, 06 I think, which should be more structured and restrained than most 07's.

[•2007 Sacred Hill Cabernet-Merlot Helmsman - New Zealand, North Island, Hawkes Bay (2/3/2012)
Deep ruby in colour, with oak and blackfruits on the nose. Lots of oak on the medium-full bodied palate too, with smooth tannins and texture, cassis, plums and tar. Quite modern in style, and not really speaking of the Gimlett Gravels regions now. Too young now, but this has the fruit to continue to improve. The cabernet id definitely dominant now. I'll wait on my other bottle for at least 2 years for the oak to integrate better. (A-)][/quote]
Recommended by John because of the outrageous WS score. I drank a bottle earlier. I don't get the score. Hardly any nose. As tight as a cool climate bdx blend can be, totally closed down, I couldn't find any fruit lurking underneath. I have 5 remaining bottles and am praying that they will evolve to something better. Could be the Sierra Carche for Wine Spectator.

[•1990 Peter Lehmann The King AD 2011 Port - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (1/29/2012)
Medium brick in colour, with sweet plums. cloves and tar on the nose. The medium bodied palate is quite smooth, sweet but not too sweet, with more plums, slight xmas cake notes, cloves and cinamon. I has left this in the cellar for quite a while, and had no idea what this would be like, but it was actually quite nice. Unbalanced when I first opened it, but on the second day this really smoothed out and integrated well. (A-)
][/quote]
Concur 100% with John's notes. I liked it better the he did on day one. In fact I was surprised to hear that I left him some for day 2.

[quote][•2003 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (1/28/2012)
Hazy notes from last night. A little too much sweetness and American oak for me. (B/B+)
quote]
I guessed Aus shiraz based on the nose and palate it was that sweet. Thankfully only the 2003 is this sweet out of the Artist Series wines.

[quote]•2000 Château Lanessan - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (1/23/2012)
Hazy notes from last night. Very nice wine, a little modern in style, but with excellent fruit, structure and acidity. Good concentration and ripeness as well, although the midpalate and length weren't outstanding. Definitely improved as the night went on, so this should last several years yet easy. (A-)/quote]
I guessed Italian Sangiovese. I did not enjoy this as much as John. Lean and acidic with little fruit.

[quote]•2004 Lamborghini (La Fiorita) Campoleone Umbria IGT - Italy, Umbria, Umbria IGT (1/17/2012)
Hazy notes from last night. Lovely nose on this wine, more Bordeaux-like than Italian. Same went for the palate, where the merlot seemed to be dominant right now. Plums and smoke were the only notes I remember on the medium bodied, dry palate. There were some tannins still, and well integrated acidity. Interesting blend, and better than I expected. Great food wine, and should continue to improve. (A-)/quote]
I guessed bdx. I hated this wine. Again lean and acidic with no fruit. A shadow of the wine we had at the retailer tasting 5 years ago.

[quote][•2006 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Fiancée - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (1/15/2012)
Even after a 3 hour decant (and more), this was pretty closed. Fairly tannic, tar and plums on the nose, and more earthy, smoky notes on the palate. Improved over the night, but this one's a baby. Still quite impressive, with good concentration and a good future (A-).
quote]
Big nose of red fruit. Moderately tannic grip, black fruits, smoke. Another great lip smacking finish. 2006 FIANCE. Years of life ahead of it. Very similar to one tasted in 2008. 50/50 Syrah Grenache.

[quote]•2000 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (1/12/2012)
Hazy notes from two days ago. Decanted about an hour, then shared with a friend. Lots of blackfruits on the nose, and a hint of mint as well. Lovely aged characteristics, the exhuberant fruit has settled down, and it ends with a slight sweet fruit note, but this doesn't detract from the wine at all. Smooth and veltvety on the medium-full bodied palate, but there's still nice structure there. No greeness at all. Drinking at peak now, I think, but should still remain on the plateau for a couple years yet. Lovely wine. (A-)
/quote]Agree 100%. Great qpr.

[quote]•2007 Trust Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (1/7/2012)
Nice cab, but I wished a bit for a bit more varietal characteristics. But this is a seamless, modern style, quite tasty, though it has reasonable structure as well. Probably too young, I think it will improve with time. (B+)
/quote]Have had this a few times. Missed the varietal as I guessed Walla Walla syrah. Whenever I see Steve I always tell him to raise his prices, as they are dirt cheap. The only thing is I wish for a little less green bell pepper with this wine.

[quote]•2006 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton (1/5/2012)
Hazy notes from 3 days ago. Put this in a decanter for about an hour, and then drank with a friend with another OR pinot. I wasn't all that impressed, as I wanted more 'pinosity' in the wine. It seems to be a somewhat typical (as a sweeping generalization) of the 2006s in OR: a little 'too much' was in there. Rather plodding, a nice nose but not much excitment on the palate, and little typicity. The best feature was a lovely velvety mouthfeel. I liked it much less than my firiend, FWIW. (B/B+)
/quote]I loved this wine. My palate likes a big Oregon Pinot, but you can still see thru it. Nose of asian spice which carries over to the palate, delicious. Great mouthfeel, velvet texture, good thread count, long finish, what is there not to like about this wine. Surprised that the Vintage Police even opened this. If he wants to plow thru his 2006 Oregons I'm there to help him, but I think this is the wrong decision. I will wait on mine.

[quote]•2005 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (11/16/2011)
Didn't take notes, but this bottle was singing last night. Not much complexity, but it certainly is very tasty, with a smooth, velvety texture, nice concentration and quite well balanced. Definitely an easy drinking fruit bomb, but quite delicious and greatly enjoyed by everyone at the table. (A-)/quote]Again concur 100% this was delicious.

[Jenise]

Surprised that the Vintage Police even opened this. If he wants to plow thru his 2006 Oregons I'm there to help him, but I think this is the wrong decision. I will wait on mine.

So Kipper, this is your fond nickname for John or was there someone else present?

And btw, the 04 WC Artist is also that sweet.

That's me, the vintage police - let's just say I am often alarmed at Kipper's propensity to pop open very young wines!

Thanks for the notes, John.

I rate Katnook Estate as an excellent Coonawarra producer, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, although I've found their flagship wines, the Odyssey Cabernet and the Prodigy Shiraz just too oaky and over-extracted when tasted as younger wines. Quite possibly both might just come around in the long(er) term. The chief winemaker at Katnook, Wayne Stehbens, has been working at Katnook since their inception over 30 years ago. I have had a few dealings with him over the years and always found him to be "a top bloke". Also, he possesses a real passion for Sauvignon Blanc. He sent me a bottle each of 1983 and 1993 SB (in 1993) and I enjoyed both. The 1983 had developed very attractive complex toasty/honeyed notes, quite similar to an aged Hunter Semillon, but still retained a solid varietal core of Chinese gooseberry and capsicum. Quite a treat comparing the two at the time. And psst ... their Riesling can just happen to be a cracker of a wine, too!

2000 was a surprisingly good vintage in Coonawarra.

I bought a half dozen of the Lehmann 1990 VP at release and, would you believe, have not tried one yet. Maybe it's time?

Surprised that the Vintage Police even opened this. If he wants to plow thru his 2006 Oregons I'm there to help him, but I think this is the wrong decision. I will wait on mine.

So Kipper, this is your fond nickname for John or was there someone else present?

And btw, the 04 WC Artist is also that sweet.

I am still learning how to use the quote button. I have not tasted the 2004 WC Artist. I have a Importer that is offering me a case of 2005 Woodward Canyon Estate Red for around 70.00cdn. There is a shortage of tasting notes for this wine have you tasted this in your travels?

The Estate red in 2005 is 68% Merlot 15% Cab franc 11% Cab sauv 6% Petit verdot