April 2015

NYC Wine Tasting Group Dinner

2003 Sine Qua Non Papa (Syrah)
There are 860 cases of the 2003 Papa, a blend of 97% Syrah, 2% Mourvedre, and 1% Grenache sourced from six different vineyards. An old black and white photograph of Manfred Krankl’s father holding a baby with a head the size of a large watermelon (presumably Manfred) serves as the label for this wine, which has just about everything one could want in a great Syrah. It exhibits extraordinary power and richness along with large quantities of sexy, seductive cassis, black cherries, and a chocolaty undertone. Unctuously textured, rich, and full, it will provide amazing drinking over the next 10-15 years. Rating: 98 – Wine Advocate

2000 Ojai Syrah Thompson Vineyard Special Bottling
The riveting, inky purple-colored 2000 Thompson Vineyard Special Bottling (200 cases produced) offers up a tremendous bouquet of roasted espresso, melted chocolate, licorice, blackberry liqueur, and a hint of damp earth. This rich, full-bodied, voluptuous wine is massive on the palate, with a mind boggling unctuosity, thickness, and persistence. The essence of Syrah, it can be drunk now or cellared for 12-15+ years. Rating: 95 – Wine Advocate

1999 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape
While the 1999 performed better than the 1998, it remains firm and closed, offering plenty of sweet kirsch and blackberry fruit, licorice, spice, and floral aromas. Structured, medium to full-bodied, and moderately tannic, it should be at its finest between 2006-2020. Rating: 94 – Wine Advocate

1996 Cos d’Estournel
Made from 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, this is a huge, backward wine. The 1996 possesses an opaque purple color, as well as pure aromatics consisting of cassis, grilled herbs, coffee, and toasty new oak. Massive in the mouth, and one of the most structured and concentrated young Cos d’Estournels I have ever tasted, this thick, structured, tannic wine has closed down significantly since bottling. It requires 7-8 years of cellaring, and should last for 30-35 years. It is a fabulous Cos, but patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2030. Rating: 93 – Wine Advocate

2009 Bodegas Y Vinedos Maurodos San Roman
The 2009 San Roman comes from 45-year-old bush vines or older in San Roman, Morales de Toro, Arjujillo, Villaester and El Pego between 720 and 760 meters and sees 24 months in new and used French (70%) and American (30%) oak. It offers a very seductive bouquet with luscious red berry fruit – raspberry, wild strawberry infused with crushed violets that open with aeration. The palate is full-bodied and very well-balanced, ripe succulent tannins, plush blueberry and black cherries forming the core followed by a silky, ripe, sensual, velvety smooth finish. Modern in style, but extremely well-crafted, this is a sensational, delicious Toro red. Drink now-2018+. Rating: 96 – Wine Advocate

1996 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
A behemoth Cabernet Sauvignon is the stern, tannic, concentrated 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (13.5% alcohol). Full-bodied, but closed, with gorgeously pure black fruits, powerful, loamy, earthy scents along with fruit and extract, this wine also needs 5-6 years of cellaring, and should easily last through the first 2-3 decades of the next century. Rating: 93 – Wine Advocate