WCC 2004 California Cab @ Provence 3/4/2010

WCC 2004 CALIFORNIA CAB BLIND TASTING
at Provence Restaurant, Albany, NY (3/4/2010)

The WCC got together to taste 2004 Cali Cabs blind. I only knew the wine I brought (the EMH Black Cat) but not which wine it was. I was also told that these were all either 100% Cab or Bordeaux blend. Unless otherwise noted, all wines were decanted for 24 hours.

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Flight 1

With Duck Confit Ravioli [sic, should be Raviolo!] with Celeric Puree, Hedgehog Mushroom and Madeira Sauce.

2004 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Big ripe red and black fruit nose. Yummy, tannic, ripe, medium body. Appealing cherry finish. (92 pts.)
2004 Cloud View Pritchard Hill USA, California, Napa Valley
Very dark black fruit nose with a hint of nutmeg. Long, riveting finish of black fruits and minerals. A stunning wine! My #2 WOTN.
Day 2: The spice is now more exotic, the black fruits more pure. Still very impressive! (96 pts.)
2004 Buoncristiani OPC Proprietary Red USA, California, Napa Valley
Similar to #2 (Cloud View), but thicker with a Rhone-like waxiness. Big, rich, thick, lush. Long, exotic, spicy finish. A Bob Foley wine? Tied for group WOTN.
Looking back, I was not that surprised that this has syrah in it, even though I was told no non-Bordeaux grapes. (93 pts.)
2004 DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Muted nose. Silky up front. Tannic on the finish. Seems a bit thin compared to the others here. (88 pts.)
2004 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley USA, California, Napa Valley
Appealing cherry nose. Tart. Seems more Sonoma than Napa. Yummy, but not impressive. (91 pts.)

Flight 2

With Petit Braised Black Angus Boneless Short Rib with Braised Short Rib Turnover, Confit of Garlic and Fresh Rosemary.

2004 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate USA, California, Napa Valley
Big beefy red fruit nose with lots of minerals. A delicious wine with excellent balance. Drinking quite well tonight. Would be good with steak. 93-95 points. (94 pts.)
2004 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve USA, California, Napa Valley
Another nose of big red fruits but with an added ketchup note! Medium thick with a weird flavor in the middle. Drying tannins on the finish. The most disappointing wine so far tonight. (86 pts.)
2004 Bell Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6, Unfiltered USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
An appealing nose of beef and red fruits that smells a bit like tomato paste. Thick and silky in the mouth. A very tasty wine! (93 pts.)
2004 EMH Cabernet Sauvignon Black Cat USA, California, Napa Valley
[Decanted for 12 hours before tasting.] Complex floral nose. Quite ethereal in the mouth. Medium body, complex, harmonious. Not a monster at all. Perhaps the most delicious and drinkable wine so far. (93 pts.)
2004 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Spice bread and plum nose. Silky, tasty, balanced. Nice. (92 pts.)

Flight 3

With Braised Sweetbreads Basquaise with Roma Tomato, Roasted Garlic, Sage, and Tuscan White Bean Ragout.

2004 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve USA, California, Napa Valley
Ripe red fruit nose. Long and delicious with terrific tannic structure (unlike any other wine so far tonight) and great length. Riveting length. My #3 WOTN (very close to #2). (96 pts.)
2004 Dominus Estate USA, California, Napa Valley
Backward nose. Thick, silky, sweet black fruit. Very young and backward. Hard to judge 93-95 points.
Day 2: Still a huge wine with lots of black fruit and tannin. I would hold off drinking this for 5-8 years. Could be another great Dominus! 94-97 points. (94 pts.)
2004 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
Huge thick black nose. Thick and silky with a fabulous richness. What a knockout! I would love to drink this whole bottle with a steak! My #1 WOTN. Tied for group #3 WOTN. (97 pts.)
2004 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red USA, California, Napa Valley
Another big rich waxy red fruit nose. Thick and silky in the mouth. Very long. Tied for group #1 WOTN. (95 pts.)
2004 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Jericho Canyon Vineyard USA, California, Napa Valley
Quite tart. Seems out of place here. Mellowing with time, but unimpressive in this line up. (88 pts.)

Consistently very good wines. A variety of profiles, but almost all with big rich fruit and high alcohol. Nice mix of classic names and less well-known wines. No cult cabs.

Posted from CellarTracker

Dessert

Chocolate Chaud with White Chocolate Molten Center and Raspberry Coulis

WOTN Voting (3pts each person for #1, 2pts for #2, 1pt for #3)