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CLONYC 38 - Fun with Mike & Leah (Smith) II

Think back to what it was about wine that made you fall in love with wine itself. Remember all the goose-bumps and tingles that shifted something in you that would never be undone. If you are like me your journey has gone around the world a bit, but I have always kept my feet firmly in Napa Valley and more specifically, with Cabernet Sauvignon. Sure, I have taken barbs from many in the Anti-Flavor group and the usual bunch that eschew anything Napa as well as those who play ‘remember when’ every chance they get and I don’t get hung-up on alcohol levels. I am not in any of those clubs; my club remains open minded and constantly adapting to taste and style trends that my beloved grape takes me. I say all of this because last evening, and a beautiful evening it was, 12 Cabernet aficionados converged on the town that the Dutch colonized in 1624 to eat, drink and just have a good old unpretentious time with our beloved Napa Cabernet. If you are like me, it does not get better than CLONYC 38. I say all of this simply because I can not think of a more exciting time to be a Napa Cabernet lover, (and my memory on such pre-dates many of those here’s birth) and if you really are anything like me, you'll be as giddy.

To say Mike Smith makes ‘wine’ is an understatement; Mike Smith lives wine. He is the type of guy that sleeps on the floor alongside his wine barrels just to make sure they have a good nights sleep; he wants to make sure his wines stun their followers. Last night the CLONYC gang met Mike and Leah for round number two of a night that would make even Backhaus jealous. 

Mike and Leah came full fisted and brought nearly their full 2011 vintage of Napa Cabs, some peek-ins of their 2012s, two fantastic whites and a Pinot that will get your attention. Mike’s mentioned to me early evening his ‘slight’ apprehension to showing these 2011s in public and it proved all to be for naught; they all showed spectacularly well. His 2012s will astound. Any or all would be best bets for your Cabernet dollars. We started with his 2011 whites from Myriad and Quivet. Both delicious, but I was saving my note-taking for my first love, so lets talk Cab. (But not before an amazing Pinot).

All wines were opened at 5:30 and single decanted back into its bottle.

2011 Patine Pinot Noir (Gaps Crown Vineyard) Wow! Great aromatics with juicy black and blue fruits. This has tons of verve. I am slowly becoming an aficionado of well made Cali Pinots and this is certainly in the group of some of the best I have had. It’s glossy and pure and just perfect. One to serve for your special guests.

2012 Carter To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, barrel sample- I fully understand Mike’s trepidation on bring these but I am oh so glad the brains of the operation talks him into it. This is amazing. I jokingly told him he needs a new shirt for when Wine Spectator puts him on the cover of their big 2012 Napa Cabernet issue in November 2014. It has beautiful structure with black dense fruits and an interesting hint of cardamom. It does not suffer the fate of many young wines and actually has some semblance of being well knit already. Wow

2012 Myriad Dr Crane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, barrel sample - yes, you have read it correctly, Dr Crane Reserve. (Please forgive my wows, but there will be many). WOW Dense and packed with cassis, blackberries with the signature creaminess I expect from site. The nose alone is worth the price. I always thought that Dr Crane stood on its own and never needed elevation in title, but this one deserves it. This will be a star of the vintage. You heard it here.

2011 Myriad Cabernet Sauvignon Napa- This wines has quickly become one of my house wines. In 2011 Mike has hit it out of the park and unless this one takes some turn to somewhere else, there will be many smiling faces once people get this one in their glasses. Red and black fruits with some nice aromatics and a liveliness that belies its price point of $50. Grab all you are offered.

2011 Quivet Cabernet Sauvignon Pellet vineyard- A new one for Mike and one he certainly wants to hone in on in the coming years. This has a pretty sweet nose of black raspberries and currants but crosses the palate slightly disjointed and angular. Strangely once food arrived this became much more focused. I would love to see where he goes with this.

2011 Quivet Cabernet Sauvignon Kenefick – if you ever would buy a wine on nose alone, this would be it. Densely packed with dark fruits of black plum, currants and black cherries, this has a wonderful sense of balance and place. Full bodied and pure with some weighty tannins and a finish that haunts. Wow! One of my favorites for two years running now and we haven’t even got to 2012 yet. Daddy’s gonna need a new credit card.

2011 Myriad Three Twins- A bit redder in fruit profile, this comes across with a classiness and elegance that could boggle the mind. All Mike’s wines (Quivet/Myriad) have a liviliness that makes you sense the family bond. This one had great depth and focus with a super long fruit filled finish. Very nice indeedy.

2011 Myriad Cabernet sauvignon GIII- other than loving this, my notes were a bit sparse. I must learn to STFU and focus focus focus. It garnered a WOTN vote from Mr. Eisenhauer. 

2011 Scarlett Cabernet Sauvignon- A new cool label (Client of Mikes) and a very great wine in 2011. Mike must be (and is) very happy with this outcome. A roundness of red and black fruits with purity and elegance. I remember his 2010 last year and this one outshines it leaps and bounds; it has picked up some complexity and focus and stopped being just a Cab. Keep in mind I am liking a 2011 over the 2010 counterpart--- no, replace that with loving. At a price point of about $60, I would recommend this one all day long. 

2011 Myriad Cabernet Sauvignon Dr Crane- The Dr. crane bottling is just a half beat behind the Reserve above. It has the cream and lift with a feeling of completeness. Just a great wine all around. 

2011 Carter Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings- I loved this one but again my notes go sparse. I was probably getting signatures for the November ballot…… 

2010 Pruett Cabernet Sauvignon- A new one for Mike. This is reminiscent of the Scarlett above with a bit more tannic grip. Focused and round with many layers of red and black fruits. When you have 14 amazing wines in a row and go with the swallow method over spit, something’s gotta give and had this been in the 1-8 position it would have grabbed lots more attention, but make no mistake, this is fantastic and it garnered a WOTN from Mr. Ormand. I would purchase this on in a heartbeat and I believe the price is within that $60ish range. I could be wrong.

All in all I can happily report that this whole line-up ROCKS. Mike has made his passion and attention to detail really work for him (and us!) and for a second year in a row I can easily and unequivocally tell you that he is one of the most exciting winemakers in the valley and unless you live under a rock and have not tasted his wines, I can only ask you why not? I will now clear my inbox for all the thank you emails I will be receiving---but don’t thank me, thank Mike Smith, and whatever you do, don’t ever forget Leah. 

Thank you for sharing with the group!! I had seen McCartney in concert on Monday and you guys on Tuesday; my week is so full of Rockstars!
P.S. It's always fun seeing Mikes brother Doug and his partner Chris too.

Update:
I just had a small sampling of some left-overs from last night. 
RE: The 2011 Myriad Napa- If you bought, you did very well indeed. WOW, this explodes from the glass 24 hours later. I believe these are sold out. Look for them next year.

RE: The 2011 Quivet Kenefick - This has so much complexity and character. I am buying all offered.

RE: The 2011 Scarlett- This is plushy and round with vibrancy. I love the streak of cardamom, soy and sassafras in the middle. Red fruits control the ride, and what a ride it be. This is a sleeper. A very special bottle of wine indeed.
Just one more..... WOW 

CLONYC 31 - The Wines of Mike Smith

Little did I ever think CLONYC would go beyond No. 3, but here we are, No. 31.

It’s been a pretty amazing ride, all five years of it. I have made many new friends, learned tons about Cabernet and met some pretty amazing people, most notably some of Napa’s (and beyond!) best and brightest stars.


When I was offered the opportunity to host Mike Smith and his wines I did not blink a blink, having been a fan of his wines. Just recently I made the self-determination that his Quivet label produces one of the single best Syrahs available for under forty dollars (the Las Madres kisks butt). It even competes with many Syrahs twice its price. 
Mike has graced our humble group with beautiful wife, Leah.  Together they make the dynamic team of Mike and Leah Smith, winemakers.  I figure she’s the brains, while he’s the brawn.  Nicer people you could never hope to meet. I know it sound cliché, but trust me on this, passionate, intelligent, talented, fun-loving and down right just fantastic folk! 

So it was to be, 12 hungry and thirsty souls met on a chilly late April afternoon to mix it all up; 16 of Mike’s wines, lots of great grub and good humor was the theme.

Whites
2011 Ten 70 Green Sauvignon Blanc – MCG Cellars- yep, it’s green. At least when compared to the two that followed. It’s also awesome. Wonderful green melon, ripe citrus and fresh cut grass. Pure and precise, this is one I will proudly serve (If I can find!) on my deck this summer.
2011 Myriad Semillon Blanc – Great golden color with a pretty nose of flowers and lemon grass.  Deftly balanced and mouth coating. Hints of honey blossom and citrus. Just fantastic.
2011 Quivet Sauvignon Blanc- Similar in style to the Myriad showing slightly more fragrant. Another pure and well balanced refreshing wine.

Syrahs

2010 Myriad Las Madres Syrah- Blue and black fruits with great mid weight mouth feel. Notes of peppercorns, some dried herbs and earth.  Love the texture on this. Tannins are a bit chewy, this drinks wonderfully right now. Would love to taste this in 2 years. Interesting to taste this alongside the Quivet below.
2010 Quivet Las Madres Syrah – This has quickly become my single most favorite currently available Syrah anywhere. Mind boggling good for $38! Deft cool climate Syrah with a roundness and texture unlike most others. I get some tapenade, cardamom, crushed stones, flint and roasted meat. More akin to a Northern Rhone than the Myriad. Balance is awesome with complicated but behaved tannins and a perfect acidity that makes this food friendly. Finish remains true. Glad I have a stash, just how to keep my hands off remains the only problem.

2008 Cabernets Sauvignons

2008 Myriad Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon- Black fruit driven, this has wonderful approachability for its age. Boysenberries, blackberries and currant control the ride. This is pure, silky and focused. Hints of cocoa powder and framboise seep in well. Love a long deep black fruit finish. My Cab-joy ride is lifting off!
2008 Quivet Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon- Usually not one to gravitate toward Spring Mountain wines, this defies my past belief that they are 'not to my style preference'. I love the poise and focus of this black fruit driven wine that has a line of elegance streaking right down the middle.  This has fantastic structure. Love how it sort of floats across the palate with deftness and grace, but make no mistake this has power and potential to go long. Love it. Initially my number 2 on the flight, it quickly became my number one.
2008 Quivet Kenefick Cabernet Sauvignon- On nose alone I was in love. This had a creamy fragrant nose that captured my attention quickly.  Palate showed a more feminine styled wine than the previous two in the same flight. Hints of mocha, cherries, cardamom and violets. This bordered being a lighter weight Cab. As it sat I realized it was changing, maybe even getting redder. That was the sole reason the Spring Mountain moved into my number one.  Beautiful nonetheless.


2009 Cabernets Sauvignons

2009 Myriad Dr. Crane Cabernet Sauvignon- I don’t know much, but I do know Dr. Crane Cabernet when I taste it. This was a wow wine for me. Black fruits with crème de cassis is what this is all about, especially once you add a creamy mid-palate. Focused and pure, this is both elegant and muscular. Deftly balanced with hints of black plums, black & red currant and lead pencil shavings. Awesome. Deep and fragrant. I loved the smoothness and roundness. I quickly realized that I could have just found my WOTN!
2009 12C Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon- reddish black wine that seemed slightly outclassed amongst the Myriads and Quivets. Always one to be honest with our all of our winemaking guests/friends, I have been known to hold nothing back; I questioned Mike on this wine: What gives? He told me another site/parcel will be added in the future to add dimension.  I would not mind trying that one.  This one was a bit one dimensional with an almost ‘pedestrian’ style (man, I hate that word). One to watch.
2009 Scarlett Cabernet Sauvignon- This is the wine Sherri had in Boca and was excited to have me try. It was a bit reminiscent of the Kenefick above: a redder style Cab (I believe there’s Merlot in this one) with a soft note that runs through it. I got some great purity and seamlessness on this. Notes of cardamom, cherry cola, graphite and cocoa powder. Finely delineated and precise, this was fantastic, but that’s the thing about having 10 fantastic wines on the table, we start rating in levels of fantasticness. Seems easier than it is, trust me.

Did I tell you about that Dr. Crane?  Oh, you heard it already? Never mind, I’ll move on…

Carter Cabernets Sauvignons

2009 Carter To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon- Interesting to see what Mike has done with these.  This one was a bit more in your face than anything before it. Pure blackberries, cassis, currant, and dark black raspberry. Full figured and built to age, this has big boned, chewy tannins and super length. Balance, strength and flash. One to keep an eye of for.
2009 Carter Coliseum Block Cabernet Sauvignon- the most distinctive Cab on the night. I found it deftly balanced with maybe a hint of menthol running through it? Something I could not quite put my finger on (late in the night you know!). What I did know is I liked it. No, loved it, a lot. Deep black red cab fruits with some Kirsch Royal, cocoa and graphite.  Long finish that goes to the redder side.  Awesome.


Barrel sample flights. (Thanks to Leah for wanting to include these.)

2010 Myriad Dr. Crane Cabernet Sauvignon (barrel sample) - Bright black fruits with hints of vanilla, soy and cardamom, this was pure and finely woven. Texturally a Dr. Crane, but youth has kept it from blossoming fully. (Da!)
2010 Carter 3 Kings Cabernet Sauvignon (barrel sample)– A new one coming at ya! A bit softer with hints of lanolin, graphite and vanilla. As usual, barrel samples are difficult at best to discern but this has great stuffing and potential. I will check it out when available. Could be interesting.
2010 Quivet Kenefick Cabernet Sauvignon (barrel sample) - So, this being wine number 16, all I can say is…..Really? Please remove me from the oven, I am done.

Next day revisit of two.
My WOTN, the 2008 Quivet Spring Mountain with 24 hour 'open time'. Amazing balance still rules this one. Nose has an added element of lead pencil shavings, tar and black raspberries. It's taken on a bit of weight. Tannins more resolved and acidity slightly more apparent. I have placed this on my list of things to seek out.


24 hours opened as well. If this 7 ounces of wine in my glass is any indication of where this will be in a few years time, the 2010 Quivet Kenefick is friggin awesome! WOW. This has fleshed out (from what I can remember) and delivers such an abundance of good Cab stuff. Dense, black, deep, fragrant, elegant, wow.


I can smell the empty glass from a foot away and its fragrant, sweet and pure. Holy crap!!! BTW! (buy this wine). I will get all I can.

All great wines indeed. Mike is most excited about his 2010s. He thinks they will bring to the table the best of both 2008 and 2009s. I am going to have to believe him on this.

These are wines that will need your serious consideration going forward. With great QPR andsite destinction I predict only amazing things will happen from here.

Great night!
A big CLONYC thank you to Mike & Leah!

CLONYC 49 - Brian Loring and Rachel Silkowski comes east.

I like to watch the puddles gather rain.

I am the luckiest man alive. Forming CLONYC has been one of the best wine-related decisions I have made. It has opened doors that might never have opened for me before. That said, I would be remiss if I thought all the joy was mine alone; there is a group of about 10-18 friends of mine that get to reap some of the ‘clonycal’ rewards too. Last night that group, myself and my beautiful daughter Danielle indulged in the CLONYC wonderful gift of hosting winemakers. Mr. Brian Loring just ‘popped’ in with a few of his wares, 15 of them, all with backup bottles. I know you all must be sick and tired of me telling you what a wonderful time was had, so I will save you the suffering. I do want to mention Brian’s sense of humor, one that strangely aligns with another 54 year old I am very familiar with, myself--- that Brian dude is funny, down to earth and quite talented in his vocation. Add that to the amazing wines, wonderful conversations , great grub and smiling faces and it was a magical…….oh, I forgot I was not going to do that to you again; my ‘bad’, and I don’t even use that stupid saying.

On to it…

One bit of housekeeping: I was told to remind you all from Brian that no dolphins were harmed in the making of ANY of the LWC wines but I have not tested my mercury as yet today to confirm such.

2009 LWC Brut Rose- WOW, this is amazing. I never pretended to know much about great bubbly but I know one when I taste one and this is spectacular. Recent disgorged (Feb) and just overflowing with notes of toastiness , creaminess with a full body but lithe feel. Amazing stuff that confused me as it had a beer-like crown cap on it. Find it, love it, you’re welcomed.

2014 LWC Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay- This is light and airy with intensity that it should not have. Beautiful citrus notes with an amazing viscosity I really dig. Just awesome. 100% Chardonnay from the 3D vineyard you won’t find in 2015.

2014 LWC Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay- Wow, a different direction for sure. More tropical fruit in its approach with wonderful acidity, this is super fragrant and glossy. Wowsa.

OK, if you have had one too many ‘awesomes or wows’ I would well understand if you closed this thread down and go back to that PC thread. I got your back….

I think I messed up as there was a Durrell Chardonnay that I should have served next. Hey, I’m an old man, what do you expect, perfection?

Pinot Flight number 1

2014 LWC Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir- Beautiful structure with pretty aromatic even if a little butter popcorn is in there. It’s deep and lovely.

2014 LWC Keefer Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir- Always a fan of Ed Kurtzman’s Keefer, this one seems to ring my bells in a big way. Nose of deeply perfumed frangipani this is deep and long and quite spectacular. Light on it’s feet and deft in it’s approach with fine tannins and awesome balance. My favorite of a great flight.

2014 LWC Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir- I know Gary’s Vineyard has its followers, I wish I were fine-tuned enough in my Pinot-prowess to discern bottles like this. I found it the ripest of the group and the darkest.

2014 LWC Rosella's' Vineyard Pinot Noir- beautifully textured with deep dark red fruits. Intense and near-flamboyant and in the same class at the Gary’s above. Me not worthy to discern more. Maybe when I am 55…..

Pinot Flight number 2

2014 RASI Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills- I have been with Rachel and her little label since inception, even if that inception was a year ago with her 2013 version. This one comes of a bit more complete and polished. Nice blue-black fruits with great bounce and lift while being full and super balanced. Great wine and one you owe to yourself to at least try.

2014 LWC Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir- Another one of my favorites on the night and keeping with my own demons, I have become enamored with a few vineyards in particular and Clos Pepe is within my top 3. This (to me) has it all, verve and harmonic while crisscrossing my palate with elegance and style. Wow.

2014 LWC Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pinot Noir-This one has some edginess and maybe a bit more tannins a-poppin. Lovely and in sync with its family and glad to have a peek in.

2014 LWC Rancho La Vina Vineyard Pinot Noir- similar to the Kessler-Haak but I guess it would be, these all come across as more serious in approach and maybe could use some bottle time. Try one in February and report back wow

Last flight of the night

2012 LWC Russell Family Vineyard Grenache- Nice and fragrant wine but let’s face it, I’m done.

2012 LWC Russell Family Vineyard Mourvedre- OK, it may be late but lateness can’t cover greatness and this is amazing. Lithe and airy with dark red fruits and a fragrance that is almost haunting. My daughter loved this one and so did I

2009 LWC Divergence- Hmmm, I said this was a bit port-like and dense but it had it’s fans, so there you naysayers, I don’t always love every bottle that crosses my lips.

The simple voting went like this RASI had 6 WOTN. Gary’s had 3. The Mourvedre had 2 and the Keefer had 1----me!

By the way, accompanying Brian was his lovely assistant, Miss Rachel Silkowski who is responsible for that little bottle of RASI we poured tonight. Check out what the Prince Of pinot has to say about her wine and email her as soon as you can.

What a great night. The conversation ranged from pizza to porn. Good stuff!!

Thank you, Brian and Rachel!

CLONYC 48 Cameron Hughes Reserves and a surprise ending!

Last evening the old gang met in our usual spot to do our usual thing. Tonight we gather for the Cameron Hughes Reserves, as if we needed a reason.

These are interesting wines for sure who has had much play about the mystery surrounding them. Some said Harlan some said maiden but methinks Kyle Schlachter is correct when he said Alejandro Bulgheroni is the label belonging to these shinered-wines.

While I did not find the dill Wine Spectator did, I did see some issues with a few.

Let me get to them….

We started with some of the Lot wines.

2013 Cameron Hughes Cabernet lot 600 Oakville--Great start indeed. A very pretty nose of reddish black fruits. Palate shows some great balance and elegance. A solid core of medium black fruits that just sort of glide nicely across the palate. This one is memorable on the night.

2013 Cameron Hughes Cabernet lot 596 Monte Rosso—this one shows a more flamboyant nose and is brighter all around. Nice glycerin coating, the tannins seems larger as does the finish. Where it falls a bit (for me) is the elegance. More brutish and larger structured. Another decent drink.

2013 Cameron Hughes Cabernet lot 598 Meteor —Even more flamboyant but palate seems clipped and mid-palate nearly missing.

2006 Cameron Hughes Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—I went looking for dill as mentioned by the WS tasting note, albeit another vintage, but I was following clues. I found eucalyptus nose and some pretty textured blue-black fruits. A pretty good balance and a decent finish, this certainly spent it’s time in its bottle. An early favorite and a unanimous WOTF for the group. Unanimous! Can’t recall if that has ever happened again.

2007 Cameron Hughes Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—I wish I can say I found a 2007 I enjoyed because I still have not. The nose is awesome but man does not enjoy wine by nose alone, this was a mess. Void of any sort of acidity which in turn makes it unbalanced which it turn makes me dump it.

2008 Cameron Hughes Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—another abstract mess-- le dump.

The 2006 was it for this weak flight. Not sure if it showed so well but maybe not as bad as? Anywy, we shall see.

2009 Cameron Hughes Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—this had a wonderful nose of blackberries and cassis. The overall feel quite nice but just not up to the 2006 or what is to come, the 2011. Yes, the 2011. Let me jump the similar noted 2010 and get to it.

2011 Cameron Hughes Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—If ever there was a shiney shiner, this is it. It’s amazing in it’s passive near aggressive attack of soft red-black fruits with tremendous elegance and beautiful mouthfeel. Long and true and goes on and on, this could very well be one of the best 2011s I have ever tasted. I had to recheck the pour order/bottles. I did all the pouring it is all poured correctly, this rocks. It’s lithe and fresh with nothing out of place and style-wise certainly a nice wine seeming more like a Sonoma cab than Napa. If your buds want to buy the six-pack and want you to take the 2011 ‘dog’ grab it. 7 WOTN votes.

The straggler

2013 Cameron Hughes Cabernet lot 597 Stagecoach – I am glad this one happened to be last. It came across as all butter popcorn and disjointed. After the 2011, I was not having any of it.

I am glad to have come across that 2011. So far as who has made these? , I believe that everything Kyle mentioned in his findings seems in place and there is no real reason to believe this was not a rich dude with a un-95 point wine on his hands and most certainly had chosen to go the Harlanesque ‘wait a few years’ to release scenario. Too bad the ‘few years’ is a half a dozen. I won’t lose too much sleep, he can afford it.

The staff at North Square did an amazing job once again. The food spot-on and my steak was just wonderful.

Another great CLONYC night.

CLONYC 47 - Some 2012 Cabernet Sauvignons (Who knew it would turn into a TRB-fest?)

Yes, you read it correct, CLONYC 47. I started this thing in April 2006. Hard to believe where we have been.

Simple theme: 2012 Napa Cabs. very 'Old School' for CLONYC. Tweleve guests, tweleve wines, 4 flights of 3.

Lets jump into it.

2012 Maybach Materium- Dark and ominous. Pretty expressive nose of black currants and the darkest blackberries you can fine. Bold and deep and keeps with Materiums style.

2012 Becklyn- I love these type of tastings; this was one I figured for my top on the evening but as it sat between the Materium and the Stone The Crows, it just got lost. It’s a bit redder in style and certainly less exuberant on the nose, but as far as QPRs go, it shines. It is multi-layerd and quite textured.

2012 Stone The Crows – Very similar to the Maybach in style. Bold and densely packed with notes of cardamom. Big boned and tightly knit, this is winner in this vintage and in this flight. My WOTF

7 votes for WOTF go to 2012 Stone The Crows, 2 to the Maybach and 2 to the Becklyn.

2012 Hobel- Starts a bit alcoholic on the nose. In time this fleshes out to become a bit more refined and approachable but unfortunately, I am in no mood to deal with more alcohol so I dumped it.

2012 RM Panek- I always love the multi-dimensional aspects of these and this one is no different. Deftly balanced and a bit more focused than anything before it save for the Stone The Crows. Aromatics on this shows a little vineyard distinction. Always a great one to have on my table. My WOTF

2012 Schrader RBS- When we are speaking Cabernet we can’t ignore one of the bigger players in the field. This is super-dark and dense. Cassis driven with a touch of minerality, I always enjoy these more than I like to admit. Loving a $200 Cab is easy, maintaining that relationship is hard.

The Schrader got 7 votes WOTF, tha Panek 3 and the Hobel 1.

2012 Outpost Howell- I think I have moved away from mountain wines and I think I would have enjoyed the True better, but this it is and this it was. It’s clearly TRB with a more chewy tannic style.

2012 Quivet Pellet- As one of my favorites from last years Mike Smith dinner, this one seems to get a little lost in this crowd. I think it has a bit more refinement and gets clobbered in an array such as this. Had I had a better plan, I would have placed this with the Becklyn.

2012 Pride Cabernet Reserve- I am a fan of the new direction pride has taken. This is a red and black fruit wine with focus and elegance. Tannins behaved but present and finish long. Love the aromatics on this one. I wish this was served earlier and maybe with the Becklyn and the Quivet but it was too cold when it arrived in the dining room.

Between the Pride and the Outpost, this was the most diverse flight.

The Pride garnered 7 WOTF votes (me too) and the outpost 5.

2012 Vine Hill Ranch- if there is one wine on the table that I think I did not give a fair evaluation to, it’s the VHR. It was in position number 10 in a lineup of near bruisers. My notes tell me it had tremendous dept and verve amidst its classic black fruit profile. I mention super deft and very elegant but that’s about it and that is so not me. I would like to give this another try, but again, at $185+, it may never happen…

My WOTF

2012 12C Georges III- I have had this a bunch of times and it was always quite nice but tonight it comes across and pedestrian and run-of-the-mill. Dump.

2012 Plumpjack- Arrived even colder than the Pride, this had the widest style profile in the group; first it was red, then black ; it was very fragrant with notes of flowers and worn leather. It had the highest acidity of the group. It showed intense boldness wrapped within some pretty femininity. It was pretty and handsome all at once.

Loved it but loved the VHR more.

The Vine Hill Ranch had 8 votes for WOTF while the Plumpjack had the balance of 4.

In keeping with the ‘don’t think, just answer’ theme, I asked the group without overthinking it, what wine would they consider their unofficial-official WOTN.

The VHR had 6 votes, the Stone The Crow 3. The Schrader and Plumpjack 1 each and Rays vote is unreadable…..

It was a fun night and was my son Michael’s first CLONYC. He was more quiet than usual. After 47 CLONYCs and a large amount of wine dinners in general I have forget what is like to go to my first one. He is untarnished whereas I am tiring. The young will inherit the world, even its wines….

CLONYC 46, Craig Haserot and Sojourn Cellars

Yes, you read it correct, CLONYC 47. I started this thing in April 2006. Hard to believe where we have been.

Simple theme: 2012 Napa Cabs. very 'Old School' for CLONYC. Tweleve guests, tweleve wines, 4 flights of 3.

Lets jump into it.

2012 Maybach Materium- Dark and ominous. Pretty expressive nose of black currants and the darkest blackberries you can fine. Bold and deep and keeps with Materiums style.

2012 Becklyn- I love these type of tastings; this was one I figured for my top on the evening but as it sat between the Materium and the Stone The Crows, it just got lost. It’s a bit redder in style and certainly less exuberant on the nose, but as far as QPRs go, it shines. It is multi-layerd and quite textured.

2012 Stone The Crows – Very similar to the Maybach in style. Bold and densely packed with notes of cardamom. Big boned and tightly knit, this is winner in this vintage and in this flight. My WOTF

7 votes for WOTF go to 2012 Stone The Crows, 2 to the Maybach and 2 to the Becklyn.

2012 Hobel- Starts a bit alcoholic on the nose. In time this fleshes out to become a bit more refined and approachable but unfortunately, I am in no mood to deal with more alcohol so I dumped it.

2012 RM Panek- I always love the multi-dimensional aspects of these and this one is no different. Deftly balanced and a bit more focused than anything before it save for the Stone The Crows. Aromatics on this shows a little vineyard distinction. Always a great one to have on my table. My WOTF

2012 Schrader RBS- When we are speaking Cabernet we can’t ignore one of the bigger players in the field. This is super-dark and dense. Cassis driven with a touch of minerality, I always enjoy these more than I like to admit. Loving a $200 Cab is easy, maintaining that relationship is hard.

The Schrader got 7 votes WOTF, tha Panek 3 and the Hobel 1.

2012 Outpost Howell- I think I have moved away from mountain wines and I think I would have enjoyed the True better, but this it is and this it was. It’s clearly TRB with a more chewy tannic style.

2012 Quivet Pellet- As one of my favorites from last years Mike Smith dinner, this one seems to get a little lost in this crowd. I think it has a bit more refinement and gets clobbered in an array such as this. Had I had a better plan, I would have placed this with the Becklyn.

2012 Pride Cabernet Reserve- I am a fan of the new direction pride has taken. This is a red and black fruit wine with focus and elegance. Tannins behaved but present and finish long. Love the aromatics on this one. I wish this was served earlier and maybe with the Becklyn and the Quivet but it was too cold when it arrived in the dining room.

Between the Pride and the Outpost, this was the most diverse flight.

The Pride garnered 7 WOTF votes (me too) and the outpost 5.

2012 Vine Hill Ranch- if there is one wine on the table that I think I did not give a fair evaluation to, it’s the VHR. It was in position number 10 in a lineup of near bruisers. My notes tell me it had tremendous dept and verve amidst its classic black fruit profile. I mention super deft and very elegant but that’s about it and that is so not me. I would like to give this another try, but again, at $185+, it may never happen…

My WOTF

2012 12C Georges III- I have had this a bunch of times and it was always quite nice but tonight it comes across and pedestrian and run-of-the-mill. Dump.

2012 Plumpjack- Arrived even colder than the Pride, this had the widest style profile in the group; first it was red, then black ; it was very fragrant with notes of flowers and worn leather. It had the highest acidity of the group. It showed intense boldness wrapped within some pretty femininity. It was pretty and handsome all at once.

Loved it but loved the VHR more.

The Vine Hill Ranch had 8 votes for WOTF while the Plumpjack had the balance of 4.

In keeping with the ‘don’t think, just answer’ theme, I asked the group without overthinking it, what wine would they consider their unofficial-official WOTN.

The VHR had 6 votes, the Stone The Crow 3. The Schrader and Plumpjack 1 each and Rays vote is unreadable…..

It was a fun night and was my son Michael’s first CLONYC. He was more quiet than usual. After 47 CLONYCs and a large amount of wine dinners in general I have forget what is like to go to my first one. He is untarnished whereas I am tiring. The young will inherit the 

PLONYC 1 (CLONYC 42) Craig Haserot & Sojourn Cellars

 















PLONYC One enters the books in a big way last evening when Craig Haserot of Sojourn Cellars agreed to be our guest. With my new love for Cali Pinot I felt like a big gift had been hoisted onto my lap. I have never met Craig before and can tell you some things I have learned about him in person last night. Firstly, the passion he brings is second to none, but he backs it all up nicely with a knowledge that is incredible. Listening to him speak is somewhat mesmerizing; he knows where the bones are buried on many subjects California wine. He also has a super sharp palate and listening to his descriptions while tasting the wines really paints the picture well about what is in your glass. All of this made for an amazing, insightful and energetic evening, one that the membership has become quite accustomed to when they attend any XLONYC.

Oh yeah, Craig brought wine, lots of it. 5 amazing Pinots, a Chardonnay that astounds and a few Cabs just for the fun of it. It was a great evening. Thanks to all that attended.

2012 Sojourn Chardonnay Sangiocomo Vineyard- I love this on nose alone, it showed a nicely pure sweet honey and melon that catches your attention. Mouth feel is deft with just the perfect amount of tastiness and buttery-ness. A nice balance which always displayed a fresh minerality that is pretty nice too. It has to be one of the best Chardonnays I have had in a long time, one that displays the Sun, earth and hand well. Forthy-five dollars worth of Heaven 

2012 Sojourn Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast- great balance on this one with some notes of strawberries and cherries. The 2010 version of this was my first Sojourn into this label, and this one holds up to that standing. A true crowd pleaser.

2012 Sojourn Pinot Noir, Rodgers Creek, Sonoma Coast- For those with an extra $9 to splurge, this may be your best QPR decision of the year. This shot from the glass with tremendous finesse; a darker shade of berries and a bite riper all around. Love the slight bramble in the middle-palate, this showed some richness and distinction that boggles my mind. It took me a bit to wrap my head around this one. I loved the aromatics and wondered aloud if the 15% whole cluster adds to any of it. What we got was a crash course in whole cluster I won’t soon forget. Phenomenal.

2012 Sojourn Pinot Noir, Sangiocomo Vineyard, Sonoma Coast- A bit more boisterous with a sense of self, this went even darker with a slightly elevated acidity that it seemed to deserve. Another achievement in aromatics, this one played with the senses a bit more. An underlying damp earth component brought interest and a bright-boldness grabs you. This is the second Sangiocomo Pinot I have sampled to date, and I sense I will need to explore it more going forward.

2012 Sojourn Pinot Noir, Gap's Crown, Sonoma Coast- Similar a bit to the Sangiocomo, this had a bit more verve. An interesting viscousness ran through this. This one had some great richness as well. As it sat in the glass it went a bit redder strawberry in style. Another winner with tons of upside.

2013 Sojourn Pinot Noir, Sangiocomo Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, Barrel Sample- Some similarities to its young sibling, but also a hint of what the Rodgers had too. Some darker fruits included a bit of cassis and blackberry. A bit of expected youthful heat showed through, but such deft and balance so early in its ‘wood’ life, this should be truly incredible come next year when released.

I loved this whole lineup. The family traits were evident but as any family there is and well should be singular characteristics. Any of these could be enjoyed with dinner tonight. A few interesting Pinot Noir conversations broke out, one about alcohol (ABV) and another about age-ability of any or all of these wines. I think I have found one of the reasons I am attracted to these wines, the ability to Pobega them with the UPS guy remains intact.

My favorite appetizer is the wine friendly Lobster & Crabcake with seaweed & coconut curry sauce.

Some Cabernets.

2011 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma Valley- Craig’s ‘house’ wine, literally. Grown out back from his home this shows some pretty black berry notes as well as some cola and sassafras. Its big boned and bold with nice balance. Tannins well formed and acidity just right. A nice first step into the Sojourn Cabs.

2011 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, Napa Valley- Possibly the best QPR cab here, this is where Georges fruit goes once it has been given the boot. All the declassified GIII is here and its breed shows. Love the velvety mouth feel and silky tannic structure. Fantastic aromatics with great verve and lift. The PV adds some wonderful dimension and complexity. A must buy.

2010 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley- Bold and distinct, the small berry shows through wonderfully always keeping balance and elegance in play. Love this expression of cab today. Some interesting exotic tea leaf notes, violets and some earth is in here too. Black currants, black raspberries and crème de cassis complete a well-formed package. A truly wonderful, aromatic wine with years of life ahead. Find some, buy some, this is Spring mountain at her best.

2009 Sojourn Proprietary Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (cellar wine)- Wow, this is amazing! Plush, deep, bold and elegant. Black cassis with hints of spring flowers and cocoa powder. Mouth feel is sexy with a lingering note of cardamom and a wee bit graphite. Holy smokes, this is great.

2010 Sojourn Proprietary Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley- A bit more subdued and less dimensional than the 2009, this should blossom in a few/three years and if it is anything like the 2009, you will smile, big.

2012 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma Valley barrel sample-Young and fresh, this is all primary. If coaxed you may glimmer a sense of its future, and if its family here on that table has any say, this will be another great Cab expression from Sojourn for a silly price and who can look that horse in the mouth……

This lineup was a spectacular look into Sojourn Cellars. Come for the Pinots, stay for the Cabs and be amazed by it all. I am glad I found Sojourn this year. Better late than never I say.

Craig was gracious enough to offer us one of two classic Sauternes to enjoy with dessert: A classic and beautiful (so I was told  )1976 Chateau Climens 1st Cru Sauternes-Barsac that was received gratefully from us all! Thanks for all the awesome wines, Criag!--- both from this millennial and last.
Timely? Sure is, the offer came out like twenty minutes ago!

CLONYC 45 Fairchild Wines with Larry Fairchild

Last night the CLONYC gang hosted Larry Fairchild and an amazing selection from both his current offerings and personal library. It was CLONYC 45 and we did it big-- my fellow CLONYCers have come to expect nothing less. I have been looking forward to this for some time now.

3 flights, 10 wines, lots to say, so let’s get at it…

Flight 1
2010 Fairchild Sigaro- pretty nose of wonderful black fruits. Palate shows a very refined and focused wine with dark currants, blackberries and coffee bean. A light note of cedar brings dimension, Balance is impeccable. As it sits the nose actually gets darker and the wine becomes plusher with a super interesting note of tobacco leaf. I also find a hint of minerality/earthiness in there as well. What an amazing start. My WOTF
2011 Fairchild Sigaro- A bit redder in nose and palate. A nice red cassis driven wine with some sassafras. I get an almost medicinal note on this. Balance is tremendous and finish long. A great effort in a trying year, even above the fog line.
2011 Fairchild GIII- Bolder and darker with some added depth. More blackberries and dark fruited and a similar mout-feel to the Sigaro. Balance near perfect. I think this to be a bit more four-square in style than the Sigaro just as Chris Maybach’s Amoenus is to the Materium. Very nice wine indeed. 

Flight 2
2006 Fairchild Sigaro- This opens in the what has become obvious on the night, a Sigaro style: a very fragrant nose of super black fruits. Palate shows some of the coffee-bean and tobacco albeit much quieter and resolved into the soul of this wine. Style-wise, it leans a bit more to the restrained. As usual, balance deft and finish long and true. A pretty good way to start this flight.
2007 Fairchild GIII- So, after just discussing how myself and this group has not found much love in 2007 Napa Cabs, this comes along to stick its multi-layered shoe into my over-opinionated mouth, sideways. Pretty nose of spring flowers and cola with some worn leather and lead pencil shavings. (Something we start seeing more of across the board). This is stupendous with layer upon layer of resolved goodness with no rough edges to be seen, anywhere. It’s delicate in its approach and flinty in its memory. May be one of the top 4-5 2007s I have ever had, and that is saying much. Wow. My WOTF
2008 Fairchild Sigaro- Whenever I get to sample anyone’s 2008, I always get this rambunctious rascally wine with a tremendous will to just wreak a fun loving havoc on your senses; this wine could be leader of the pack. It’s dark and brash with a playful wistfulness. Its deep, it’s dark it’s multi-layered and it has some cola, some un-cola, some forest floor, some rubbed leather, some tar and lead pencil and some lightning and thunder. Its everything to everyone and yet something you just quite can apprehend, like a bank robber, it wears a mask. Wowsa, wines from 2008 are constantly evolving in a cyclical maelstrom of vortexed conundrums.
2009 Fairchild GIII- dark fruited with a nice lilty creaminess running right through it. The usual fine grained tannins layered within a very balanced structured boneset. The nose shows a wonderful violet note. The finish it true and long. We had an interesting conversation about GIIIs distinctiveness or lack thereof. What the hell do you mean, Mike? I mean GIIIs can be good, but ‘we’ in this modest group after sampling a nice selection just can’t find any common thread like you would in say a Tokalon or a Dr Crane. Larry agreed and added the vineyard is a bit tricky and just makes great wine. I can’t argue with that because they are….great. This actually reminds me a bit of a well made ToKalon of the now-gone Karl Lawrence.

 Flight 3
2012 Fairchild GIII (unreleased)- This one shows tremendously with a more side-ways explosion of the fruits to the Sigaros fully rounded. I also get the redder styled fruit profile. It’s finely woven and densely packed. Hints of cola and cardamom with fresh leather and a slight note of vanilla. A great wine that will astound for many many years.
2012 Fairchild Sigaro (unreleased)- Here is where the rubber leaves the road. This wine is all you could ever expect from Sigaro in a wonderful vintage; skills have been honed and lessons learned all for this very moment where the perfect expression of Sigaro is released upon the world (Next year, lol). I had this as my first taste right after opening; it showed an intensity and structure you would expect from the perfect storm I mentioned above; it’s super deep with a crazy amount of layers and each layer almost seems to hold another variation on the same theme: awesome fruit, lovingly nurtured and delivered to perfection. Larry should put bubble wrap around the cases that hold these bottles, it’s that good. Black cassis driven fruits profile with hints of cola, graphite, leather, cedar-box and exotic tea leaf. Tannins are what you would expect them to be, somewhat large but nowhere can I sense a rough edge. It’s a finely woven wine which has texture and states it presence like a King. As the second to last wine on the night it has become more boisterous or ‘slutty’ if you will, but remains my WOTF and my WOTF. 7 others agreed with me. A wine worthy of the splurge, if you so must. 2011 Stones One- the latest creation of Fairchild, this is adorned with hand made and applied labels that are striking in themselves. This comes from the Las Piedras vineyard. What was once a Syrah laden tract is now reclaimed for Cabernet Sauvignon. I love the concept of this wine. Nose of red/black fruits with tremendous depth and structure. Late in the night but I can still discern it’s greatness. It certainly reminded me of the earlier sampled 2011s with a twist on the fruit profile, with an additional dose of verve and elegance. This shows purity and an interesting sense of place. One to watch.

It was interesting to see the change from the Paul Hobbs made wines to the Philippe Melka. Having tracked Melka wines for many years now, I can say that I believe he has found his place and firmly so with wines like Fairchild; give a talented winemaker some incredible fruit and allow him to do his thing. Everyone seems to win here, especially us.
Thanks to Larry for the opportunity to sample such an amazing lineup of wines. He has both knowledge and passion; he speaks of his life-work almost as a life-pleasure and his magnetic personality just makes you want to shut up and listen. The shutting up part has gotten a bit hard for me to do lately.
 Awesome night.

CLONYC 44 Super Hero Night with Quivet, Myriad, Carter, 12C, Scarlett, Becklyn and the Smiths!

It was Super Hero Night in NYC last night. No, we did not order sandwiches (subs, wedges, hoagies or grinders) and bark at the moon. We did something so much more meaningful and fun! Our little tasting group got to eat drink and laugh with some pretty awesome people you may have heard of, Mike & Leah Smith. BTW, Mike brought wine.
It was Cabernet night in NYC! 2012 Cabernets to be more accurate. This vintage is the real deal, not like other purportedly ‘real deals’ in the last 6 years. All of Mike’s wines are made to an exacting standards. He is sometimes scientist and sometimes botanist and full time perfectionist. Hearing him discuss his babies is like hearing a doting mother discuss her seven year old who just aced the big test. The passion oozes from this man.
Anyway, before I sound like Super Fanboy, let me digress some and chat wine with you. These wines listed below are all serious contenders for your Cabernet dollar. As mentioned elsewhere, there is something for everyone here, so let me get on with it.

2012 Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kenefick Ranch - This has been an all time favorite of mine year to year and this one does not disappoint. I would like to think I could spot it by aromatics alone if placed blind among the whole Quivet lineup. Nose of sweet red cassis with a touch of cardamom. Such an elegant and refined wine that I hear rumors women tend to flock to. I guess that is where I want to flock too (I have noticed that about myself since 9th grade). Wow.

2012 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon - A new project for Mike in a price-point many scream for. Soft and silky mouthfeel with an almost un-noticeable hint of menthol that brings much interest. Tannins are of the round variety. I love the notes of Kirsch Royal that run down this. A reddish black cab that when sits become (cringe cringe) slutty, but in a good way. ($55) I will be looking for some myself. (see note 1 about the flocking). Think a more boisterous Myriad Napa. Go to find out I already signed up for the mailing list some time ago. I must be clairvoyant.  

2012 12c Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard - Certainly a serious wine that is closed compared to the other two in the flight but coaxing brings out a bold and dense stryle Cab that everyone loves (at least everyone I know). Ripe black currants and black berries, this is large boned and made for distance. (I said eighteen months and was booed from the table). I kid, this will be stunning in about 3-5 years. It’s price is in-line at $75 and I actually think it’s a QPR.

The Kenefick garnered 7 WOTF votes.

2012 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard - If you are a fan of Myriad G3 you will be giddy about this iteration. I love the interest of the cocoa powder nose on this. Bold black fruited with a touch of Framboise. The mid-palate on this one is stupendous. It has many layers to its depth. Tannins are intricate and finish true and long. Another Wow wine for sure.

2012 Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Pellet Vineyard - If you have had the inaugural bottling form 2011 you should have known that greatness was in its path. I certainly did. I just didn’t know it would arrive in its second vintage. This is focused and precise. An elegant wine with so much going on you really need to spend some time with it. 12 minutes in a glass does not do it justice. Again, it’s all about the mid-palate and this one has some to share. Am going to tell you this right now: If you are trying to limit your Cabernet purchases, this is not the place to do it. Buy long and thank the Mikes later. WOW

2012 McGah Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Scarlett - Another I have watched for some years. This is a super-consistent enjoyable Cabernet that just brings a smile to your face with every sip. At least as good as Mike’s 2011 version of this which itself was one of the best wines he made in that vintage. (don’t check that on Google, or at least give it an hour for a bot to pick it up from here). A redder fruits profile with some great dark cherries and a tiny note of sassafras. Soft and gentle and long. Just Do It. (credit given to Nike)

The Pellet got 6 votes for WOTF and the GIII received 5.

2012 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard - Mikes wines are also all about the aromatics and this one remains consistent to it’s stable mates and all other Three Twins before her. Some nice black/red fruits on this with a note of graphite and black plums. Another winner in a circle of winners. This is proving to be a difficult tasting with so much win. First World problem I will not be seeking a fix for.

2012 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard - This is the wine that amazed everyone at the table. It has some amazing purity and heft while being deftly balanced and poignant. Black wall of cassis driven fruit profile with some worn leather& a hint of vanilla. An amazing conveyor belt of ‘the things we seek’ in our Cab. It’s price is a bit out there but the proof of what is in the bottle is locked under cork. If you are fortunate enough to have access to this, you will be rewarded in spades. You’re welcome.

2012 12c Cabernet Sauvignon G3 Reserve Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard - This was my least favorite of the flight. It had a great black fruit profile with hints of Kirsch and black cherry. Well balanced and worthy of a deep sleep. Not to deep. Just enough. 5 years? Yes, 5 years.

The Grand Daddy kicked ass with 9 of 11 first place votes. Kicked ass!

2012 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard - Opened with what I sensed was a dash of heat in the nose but it disappeared super quickly. Then, a precise Dr Crane fragrance on this; on the palate this was pure and black/red fruited with a creamy mid-palate that I have come to expect from DC. This wine is all about balance and focus. Deep and dark with hints of crème de cassis, exotic tea and more. I can understand why it garners the attention it so deservedly gets. Awesome.

2012 Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard - To be honest I have never been bitten by the Las Piedras bug and let’s face it, It’s not like I don’t have my share of bugs to enjoy.
A sweetness on the nose with some good bounce on the palate and at wine number 11, it better have bounce. Another superbly made wine and a great addition to the full line-up. There truly is something for everyone here today.

The Dr Crane had 6 first place votes and the Las Piedras 5. Pretty close indeed.

The next two wine are bruisers with such a tremendous life ahead, it’s almost not fair to include them in this tasting. Both were wonderfully structured and packed to the gills with purity, expansiveness and structure. I think them the closest to one another of any in the whole nights line-up and coming in at 12 & 13 certainly make more precise notes a bit more difficult. This is our second time with the Elysian and the one year has really made this more focused and exact. I would easily say these are the wines not to drink while you are waiting for almost all of the ones above save for the 12C GIII in the first flight. The Carter put me in mind of a Colgin Cabernet. What a great wine indeed.

2012 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard - 
2012 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 'Elysian'

The food and service was spot on. My steak perfectly prepared and the hot mustard sauce as tangy as ever. What a great night. One I am sure we at CLONYC will discuss for many years to come. Thank you to Mike & Leah for the generosity of drinking such great wines.

CLONYC 43 - Berto and friends.

Last evening the group said 'hi' to fellow wine-board member Humberto Dorta. When Humberto reached out to me and asked to set something up, I jumped at the opportunity. I have always been a fan of his notes on Wine Berserkers and previously, the Robert Parkers forum. He is one of those note-writers I seem to connect with. It was la great chance to meet and open some awesome wines, and there was our theme: Awesome Cabs.
The group did not disappoint. Humberto comes with a full bag too!

Thanks to everyone for bringing great wines and being part of the fun!

2006 Marcassin Chardonnay Three Sisters Vineyard – I will defer to those more trusted than myself to fill in the many blanks I am sure to leave on this one. I can tell you it is beautiful. Nose shows some sweet melon and peaches. Mouthfeel is fantastic and balanced spot on. There was nothing poking out whatsoever. Golden hued and precise with some great ‘light-weighted’ toasty notes, this was fully resolved and in a perfect pleasing spot. It just glided across my palate and I loved it.

1993 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor Grown Pritchard Hill- beautiful nose of sweet black/red fruits. Love the aromatics. I feared this would be too ‘evolved’ for my delicate palate. I was wrong. While it does show a decent amount of secondaries, this is nowhere devoid of fruit, as a matter of fact, it displays it all so prominently. Balance is spot on and length as you would expect. Watching this evolve in the glass for 10 minutes was a treat. This showed grace and presence. My WOTF. 93

2001 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve- Beringer PR is all about consistency. Some pretty fruits of cassis and red cherries, I love the fullness this brings which to me beckoned the question: Is there merlot in here? I still don’t know, but I sure might bet something there is. Fully integrated tannins, this has a interesting cool streak running through it. It may be a bit outclassed in the flight, but its great nonetheless. 92

2003 Abreu Cabernet Sauvignon Madrona Ranch- I always appreciate to taste 2003 Cabernets. Now that they have a decade plus, many have really come into something special. This has some pure red fruits with an almost clipped mid-palate that I would normally attribute to vintage, but there is no mistaking this is a very good wine. Fully resolved and holding on with some sandalwood and Kirsch Royal. 90

The Bryant garnered 7 first place votes making it WOTF. The Abreu got 3. The last singular vote for the Beringer. I had the Beringer my number 2.


2004 McCauley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard- Count on Steve to bring a dark horse, but a tasty one for sure. Nose screams To-Kalon in a huge way. Palate shows some great structure with a black fruited, creamy midpalate that I really love. Notes of leather and soy, balance is nice and tannins still youthful. 93

2005 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard – the nose on this was crazy fragrant, it just shot from the glass. Palate showed some deftness and lots of class. Nicely structured, this had a pure stream of black fruit medley. Love the dark currants and black raspberries. A hint of warm vanilla and some sassafras brought interest. Full and profound, I loved it. Food certainly helped this along nicely. 95

2006 Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Katrina Eileen- This is not your father’s Cabernet, nor is it your mother’s. This is Cabernet squared. It’s bold and copious red/black fruits attack your senses and if you are ready, or heaven forbid, a fan of only ‘classic cabs’, you may just collapse in place. Purple core of darkness, this was soft vanilla shake and cocoa. Tannins are huge but behaved and acid fully surrounded by softness. Food is not this wines friend. I enjoyed it out of the gate but felt it wore itself down and became a bit ‘candied’ as the other two wines worked upward to awesomeness. Still and interesting wine and Buccella remains a treat for me whenever I can get some. 91

The Araujo got 7 first place votes on the flight, the Buccella 2 and McCauley 2 as well. Interesting statistic point here is the McCauley getting 7 second place votes. My WOTF was the Araujo.

2005 Fairchild Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Sigaro- A late entry by Humberto. A very pretty cab indeed. A bit bold and well structured (pretty typical of 2005s) I love the verve on this. Some spring flowers popped right out at me. Black and pure with a tiny note of cola and cardamom. Long finish completed this well. I think I have only had the pleasure of one other bottle of Fairchild and it was the IIIG. I seem to recall needing to investigate this label more at that time, and I renew that goal. 93

2007 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon- Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow Scarecrow. It’s Scarecrow. So? I still don’t get it and doubly so I still maintain I don’t get 2007s in general. A pretty nose of red and black cherries and currant, this seemed to lack some mid-palate and fell short in the acid department. For giggles I went reading the cellartracker notes on this one. I may be putting all my wine up for sale and going back to collecting stamps; I never did get that C3a Inverted Jenny I had my eye on. 87

2008 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select- Everything the Scarecrow is not, the Hillside Select is. I love this wine. I would like to believe (probably wrongly so) that I can spot this wine on nose alone. Fragrant with dark berry fruits and a sweet creamy note, just spectacular. Balanced and structured with layers of depth this just pleases all around. I maintain that if I ‘hit’ lotto, I will make this my house wine. Notes of violets, worn leather and tea with tannins intertwining it all nicely like a bow on a birthday gift. Long and true and pure and deft, the creamy middle and the notes of cola just add to it all. Wowsa, I have landed my WOTF and WOTN. 96

6 votes for the Fairchild WOTF, 4 for the Shafer. The lone 1 vote pulling up the rear for the Scarecrow.

I have been firing all my cylinders until this point. One of my 8 are down. Steve’s Congruence was the saving wine in this flight.

2010 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon- after a 24 hour double decant as recommended by Graeme, this just did not come up to the level of the company on the table. It was a good cab for sure, but we all find good cabs for a fraction of the cost of this. 89

2010 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection – I expected more from this and I am sure this suffers tonight from its much too early opening. A bit candied with a note of heat down the middle, I got red fruits and some awkwardness. A 24 hour slow-ox would have done wonders. Tonight I was 90 on this and I am being kind.

2010 Congruence Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Reserve- Pure and black, this showed some of its depth through the wall of structure and tannins. I have had this a few times and find it consistent with all other notes I have written. What it suffers from tonight is many of the others previously commented on wines aromatics and stage presence. Still youthful. Drink the regular Congruence in 2010 and revisit this in 3-4 years. That’s my plan. 92.5

5 votes for the Congruence WOTF. 4 for the Caymus and 1 for the MacDonald. Regardless, Humberto is always welcomed back. We had one who did note vote at all.

I will mention for a point of reference we did have a corked 2010 Phelps Insignia in the 3rd flight.

The ‘unscientific’ WOTN vote went like this: Shafer:5, Fairchild:4, Bryant:2, Araujo:1

A great time and many a great wines. Thanks t