WTN: Pegau CUNE Arcadian Ojai Sertoli Grahams

Blind tasting notes.

2006 Dampt Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume – pale colour, lime notes in the nose, a bit restrained on palate but enjoyable, and with good acidity.

1990 Dom. du Pegau Cuvee Reserve – Colour showing pale edges now, and a Burgundian fruit driven nose, an elegant wine has finally evolved from a rather boisterous past.

1996 CUNE Imperial Rioja Gran Riserva – slightly musty nose at first, but it smoothed out quickly to show a biscuit dough profile with vanilla, hints of caramel, and a bit of dill (American oak). Medium length very pleasant wine with a sweet supple finish.

2005 Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Syrah – dark wine with a spicy only slightly ripe nose and soft tannins. Tasty wine with good length.

2003 Long Shadows Sequel Syrah – made by John Duval (former Grange winemaker) this wine ha d a smoky ripe nose, was soft and balanced on palate and showed all sorts of minor notes of blueberry and anise, among others. My preference was this one over the Arcadian.

1997 Ojai Bien Nacido Syrah (Santa Barbara) – more blackberry than blueberry here, and on palate a mix of tarry, smoky, spicy flavours. Good length and a pleasant sweetness at the end. Now in prime time.

1998 Bernard Burgaud Cote Rotie – lighter colour, cookie dough nose with some mint, lovely, actually, but no violets for me. Elegant wine drinking at peak.

2001 Guelbenzu Evo (Ribera del Queiles) – You’d be forgiven if this Navarre producer didn’t immediately ring any bells for you. Their blended wine, Evo, is cab, merlot and Tempranillo. The wine was dark, and the nose was fruit driven with overtones of nutmeg. Big toasty, tasty wine with tons of concentration and a nice mouth feel.

2005 Abel Mendoza Rioja Jarrarte – nose of caramel/oak, smooth in the mouth, forward and not particularly complex, but I don’t think it is going anywhere. Drink young.

2001 Conti Sertoli Salis Sforzato di Valtellina Canua - another odd one – the nebbiolos from the Valtellina are rarely the first things that jump to mind in blind tastings. Medium colour with a markedly tomato nose and lots of acidity immediately apparent in the mouth. Medium body but reasonable with and balance and I found a pleasant cherry element that became evident at the end. This wine had the punch to be from Piemonte but lacked the usual elements in the nose so posed an interesting problem to track it down.

2003 Grahams Crusted Port – the 2003 was the date of bottling. The wine was dark and quite sweet, entirely consistent with the Grahams style, with some minty fig notes in the rather warm nose, and was a tad simple on palate and undifferentiated. Pleasant but I wonder if it is going anywhere.

[David M. Bueker]

I've never had a crusted Port that seemed worth the bother to me.

The crusted Port seems quite suitable for a finish to a long afternoon lunch.
LBVs have their place too - not every bottle can be vintage.

[Jenise]

My notes, which are fairly sparse.

2006 Dampt Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume – what you said. David has brought several of these Dampts to tastings and they've all been a treat--not a producer we see in the U.S.

1990 Dom. du Pegau Cuvee Reserve – My simple note: "OFS". Guess I liked it a lot.

1996 CUNE Imperial Rioja Gran Riserva – Violets on the nose initially had me thinking merlot or merlot blend; I never found the dill. Fruit cake flavors of the type I associate with Rioja did develop in the glass, though. Very, very nice.

2005 Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Syrah and 2003 Long Shadows Sequel – Bob and I brought these, and they were served in a pair. The Long Shadows was softer, sweeter and prettier, where the Arcadian was deeper and sturdier. Lacking the sweetness of the other, which most people tasted first, no one knew quite where the Arcadian was from. It's a true compliment to the wine that 'California' wasn't the first or even the second thing they suspected. I was surprised that most of tasters, with European palates all, actually preferred the Sequel--and I agree that for 'in the moment deliciousness, it won. But the potential of the Arcadian was obvious: but for a touch of Santa Barbara iodine (never before noticed in a syrah from this area, though I have encountered it in many pinots) it had some very Cote Rotie qualities in it, and believe this will be smashing in another 3-5 years. Note to self: next bottle, 2016.

1997 Ojai Bien Nacido Syrah (Santa Barbara) – gamey, with tar and spice and a sweet, smokey finish. Poster child for "why we wait". Thanks for sharing, Bill.

1998 Bernard Burgaud Cote Rotie – classic Northern Rhone nose with a good dose of pepper. Showing brilliantly.

2001 Guelbenzu Evo (Ribera del Queiles) – What you said. Interesting, but not a wine I'd seek out.

2005 Abel Mendoza Rioja Jarrarte – Big, modern and kind of loose. Lacked complexity and focus. Tellingly, the first guesses were Northwest, then Chile.

2001 Conti Sertoli Salis Sforzato di Valtellina Canua - Valtellina nebbiolos don't cross my path, like, ever, but this one confused and impressed for all the reasons you cite. Loved it. Great wine to stump the chumps with.

2003 Grahams Crusted Port – Really enjoyed the conversation about this wine as 'crusted' is a word I've noticed in passing without ever digging out the details of what it means. That wine was a perfect way to learn to understand it, as I know what I'd expect of a usual Graham's vintage. However, this one was also very drinkable at ten years out, so it's purpose is appreciated. Would buy some myself now that I understand the concept.