Minneapolis Wine Club
Another fun event. While I am not a huge fan of Merlot compared to Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Syrah I did enjoy the wines. The Chateau Bourgneuf is a great wine and can be stolen for around $25.
- 2002 Hurricane Ridge Cabernet Franc - USA, Washington
Lots of bricking. Nose is bell peppers, earth and leather. On the palate most of the fruit is gone. Medium finish and drink up if you have any. (87 pts.) - 2002 Columbia Crest Merlot Reserve - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Still dark in color. Nose of cherry, black pepper, plum and spice. On the palate this picks up some smoke and is nicely balanced. Tannins have soften since the last bottle 2 years ago. I decanted this one hour. (91 pts.) - 2005 Château de Sales - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Decanted 2 hours. Nose of gravel, funk, and floral. Palate shows a lot of gravel, floral, cherry and mild oak. Medium finish and the wine is well structured. This can be cellared for 5 years. I highly recommend trying this wine on day one and coming back to see the improvements on day 2 and 3. (90 pts.) - 2003 Château Bourgneuf - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Medium ruby color. Nose is really nice with raspberries, gravel and tobacco. On the palate this wine is really soft and full of flavors featuring gravel, raspberries, chalk, funk and tobacco. Medium finish and tannins have really soften. Decanted 4 hours prior to the tasting. I will be back for more on this one! (92 pts.) - 2001 Northstar Merlot Walla Walla Valley - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Lots of red pepper, spice and cherry on the nose. The palate opened up over some time in the glass and the red pepper mellowed out. Medium finish which features spice, red pepper and cherry. Blind this was almost Zin like. Drink up on this wine. (89 pts.) - 2003 Spring Valley Vineyard Uriah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Medium purple. Nose was shut down but opened up after aeration. Cherry, vanilla, and spice are the central feature of this Meritage Blend. Nothing bad or great about this wine but I have to give it a 90 for potential with 3 more years of aging. (90 pts.) - 2004 Château Pavie - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
DARK. Day 2 review. It was too tight on day one. Intense nose of chocolate, spices, gravel, crushed rock, violets, and ripe fruit. On the palate it has really opened up. Violets, crushed rock, gravel, spices, oak, vanilla, sweet tannins and cedar. Medium to long finish and concentrated flavor. I would not touch this wine for 10 years and I was really glad to save a third of a glass to properly review this on day 2. 94 to 97 points. (94 pts.)