2001 Cline, Zinfandel, Big Break

Dark. Open nose with cherry, strawberry and eucalyptus aromas. Rich cherry, strawberry, eucalyptus and spice fruit flavors, good acid, moderate soft tannins, and a long fruity finish with a aftertaste of mint. Some people might be turned off by the mint and eucalyptus in this big Zinfandel, but I find it very attractive. It is ready to drink but will hold for at least 5 more years. This wine is made from 100-year-old head trained vines. I’m not sure what the price on this wine was, but the 2003 from this vineyard is $28 list. My rating is 90.

1998 Ridge, Syrah, Lytton Estate

Very dark. Black raspberry aromas on the nose. Big black raspberry and strawberry fruit flavors with hints of chocolate, moderate acid, substantial tannins, and a long fruity finish. This is a huge wine that needs a bit more time. 90% Syrah, 10% Viognier. My rating 88.

I tasted this wine while watching the NFL league championship games. What do other people think is a good Supper Bowl wine?

2002 Cliff Lede, Pinot Noir, Napa Valley

Medium dark. Cherry and cedar on the nose. Black cherry, spicey, moderate acid, soft tannins, and a long fruity finish. A nice Pinot Noir. I think this wine was around $25 to $30. My rating 85.

From my visit last summer to Cliff Lede, I expect them to discontinue this wine sometime in the next few years.

2002 Ridge, Grenache, Lytton Estate

Dark. Strawberry and raspberry aromas on the nose. Big, concentrated strawberry and raspberry fruit flavors, moderate acid, some soft tannin, and a long fruity finish. The intense forward fruit was very good, but on the finish the fruit tasted slightly overripe. Still, this is a nice Grenache with loads of concentrated fruit flavors. 78% Grenache, 13% Petite Sirah, and 9% Zinfandel. 14.7% Alcohol. My rating 83.

1982 Chateau Branaire-Ducru, Saint Julien

Medium dark, brownish around the rim. Open nose of red cherry and cedar with hints of smoke. Red cherry and chassis, moderate acid, soft tannins, and long fruity finish. A very good mature Bordeaux with nice fruit flavors, but lacking in the complexity of a top Bordeaux. The wine is ready to drink and doesn’t show signs of decline yet. My rating 89.

As you can see in the picture, I paid $15.80 for this wine. This was after the 1982 Bordeaux had arrived in the US and the prices had already gone up. I wish I could find wine of this quality for that price today.

2001 Ridge, Zinfandel, Dusi Ranch

Very dark. Open nose of strawberry and cherry. Big forward overripe strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors, moderate acid, soft tannins, and long fruity, hot finish. This is a very fruity, but overripe Zinfandel. The Alchol is 15.2%, Not rated.

1988 Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Bello

Medium dark, brownish around the rim. Open nose of red cherry, cedar and eucalyptus. Red cherry with eucalyptus and mint flavors, high acid, soft tannins, long fruity finish. An elegant and mature cabernet that lacked the big fruit and structure that you find in the top Monte Bello vintages. I think this wine is probably at its peak and will not improve from here. Although not labeled a Cabernet Sauvignon, it is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. My rating 88.

1986 Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Bello

Medium dark garnet, brownish around the rim. Open nose of red cherry, chassis and cedar. Red cherry and currant fruit flavors with hints of tobacco and forest floor, high acid, soft tannins, and a long fruity finish. This is an elegant, mature California Cabernet that still has lots of fruit intensity and complexity. While is shows no signs of decline, it is not going to get any better. It is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. My rating 93.

It would have been interesting have tasted the 1986 Caymus and 1983 Pichon Lalande with this wine, but I had them all on different nights over the Christmas week. The 1983 Pichon Lalande and the 1986 Monte Bello had a lot of similar fruit flavors.

1983 Pichon Lalande

Medium dark, brick around the edges. Open nose with red cherry and cedar. Red cherry, chassis and tobacco, high acid, soft tannins, long fruity finish. This is a elegant mature Bordeaux. The complexity seemed to grow in the glass as the wine aired. This wine seems to be fully mature and holding very well. I don’t think it will improve, but it is hold well. My rating 92.

1986 Caymus, Special Selection

Medium dark. Open nose with cherry, oak with earthy aromas. Red cherry and plum fruit flavors with overtones of spices and early overtones, high acid, fine, soft tannins, and a long fruity finish. Nicely aged with good balanced and structure and lots of complexity. Not likely to improve from here, but no signs of decline. My rating 92.