Justin Bonner
03-06-2011, 12:27 PM
So my buddy Mark Tolerico came to Annapolis last night so I decided to put together a New World wine tasting. At the least, I was hoping this would help direct our buying habits moving forward by either supporting the hype or squashing it surrounding some of these big boys. I was surprised by a few. The wines are as follows with scores (Mark's/Mine) and notes.
07 Kapcsandy Grand Vin (96/96)- nice aromatics with a sense of sweetness on the nose. This bottle was decanted as per the instruction of Lou Kapcsandy where a bit was poured out of the bottle and the rest was left to take air over a 4-5hr period. While the wine was well made and of outstanding quality, it didn't "wow" me. The palate is still somewhat restrained but showed elegantly. Hopefully this will improve with time those I have my reservations.
07 Dana Estates Helms (95/97)- very unique wine. The nose was amazing upon opening with great lift. The fruit was dark and brambly and everything was in beautiful balance. Almost reminded me of Howell Mountain fruit. Elegant wine that was not overdone. Perfectly ripe fruit, a slight touch of sweetness. This should age very nicely over the next 5-10yrs.
06 Bionic Frog (92/91)- beautiful nose of gamed meats and dark fruit. If I were to rate this on the nose alone, it would be garner a higher score. On the palate, VERY ripe fruit with notes of prune, plum and raisin. A bit hot on the mid and back palate. Not completely in balance. I don't see it coming around though I could be wrong.
07 Maybach Materium (98+/99)-now this is one AMAZING wine!! This has the right amounts of everything. Beautiful nose of fresh berries. Laser like focus on the palate with everything immediately in balance. No signs of alcohol. Just sweet dark fruit. Amazing purity. Simply spectacular!
08 Maybach Materium (96+/97)- this was very similar to the 07 and since we had this first, we were really impressed with how well it showed after just being delivered. This was just slightly more clumsy than the 07 as it just slightly missed on the focus and balance of the 07. Don't get me wrong, a knock down drag out hella good wine. One I'll be looking to purchase more of.
07 Usseglio Mon Aieul (95/98)- another stellar showing for this wine. I decided early on to include it as one would have a hard time calling this out as a CdP. Very New World in all facets. Beautiful nose and palate of rich, ripe, dark berries with lightly toasted oak, gamed meat, beef blood and chocolate covered cherry. Great bottle.
03 Leoville Poyferre (95/94)-slightly out of place in this lineup but figured if you're going to throw in a BDX, best make it a Left Banker from 03. This wine is starting to make the turn into a more classic BDX if not quite there yet. "Stinky nose" said Mark. I got damp soil, cedar and spice. Some of the sweetness on the palate has softened leaving in it's place more traditional notes of leather and kirsch. Beautiful showing.
04 Merus- corked
01 Dal Forno Valpolicella (92/94)-another good showing from a consistently solid and unique wine. Plums, raspberries, blackberries. This wine is all about fruit. A bit one dimensional but what is has, it has lots of it. Well balanced.
08 Bevan David's (95/97)- a revelation of sorts for me. My first Bevan and I must say, I'm a believer. Loads of perfectly ripe fruit. Walks the line but stays on the right side of the oak treatment. Vanilla accents with milk chocolate and blueberry jam. I'll be buying this wine if I can find any.
07 Kapcsandy Grand Vin (96/96)- nice aromatics with a sense of sweetness on the nose. This bottle was decanted as per the instruction of Lou Kapcsandy where a bit was poured out of the bottle and the rest was left to take air over a 4-5hr period. While the wine was well made and of outstanding quality, it didn't "wow" me. The palate is still somewhat restrained but showed elegantly. Hopefully this will improve with time those I have my reservations.
07 Dana Estates Helms (95/97)- very unique wine. The nose was amazing upon opening with great lift. The fruit was dark and brambly and everything was in beautiful balance. Almost reminded me of Howell Mountain fruit. Elegant wine that was not overdone. Perfectly ripe fruit, a slight touch of sweetness. This should age very nicely over the next 5-10yrs.
06 Bionic Frog (92/91)- beautiful nose of gamed meats and dark fruit. If I were to rate this on the nose alone, it would be garner a higher score. On the palate, VERY ripe fruit with notes of prune, plum and raisin. A bit hot on the mid and back palate. Not completely in balance. I don't see it coming around though I could be wrong.
07 Maybach Materium (98+/99)-now this is one AMAZING wine!! This has the right amounts of everything. Beautiful nose of fresh berries. Laser like focus on the palate with everything immediately in balance. No signs of alcohol. Just sweet dark fruit. Amazing purity. Simply spectacular!
08 Maybach Materium (96+/97)- this was very similar to the 07 and since we had this first, we were really impressed with how well it showed after just being delivered. This was just slightly more clumsy than the 07 as it just slightly missed on the focus and balance of the 07. Don't get me wrong, a knock down drag out hella good wine. One I'll be looking to purchase more of.
07 Usseglio Mon Aieul (95/98)- another stellar showing for this wine. I decided early on to include it as one would have a hard time calling this out as a CdP. Very New World in all facets. Beautiful nose and palate of rich, ripe, dark berries with lightly toasted oak, gamed meat, beef blood and chocolate covered cherry. Great bottle.
03 Leoville Poyferre (95/94)-slightly out of place in this lineup but figured if you're going to throw in a BDX, best make it a Left Banker from 03. This wine is starting to make the turn into a more classic BDX if not quite there yet. "Stinky nose" said Mark. I got damp soil, cedar and spice. Some of the sweetness on the palate has softened leaving in it's place more traditional notes of leather and kirsch. Beautiful showing.
04 Merus- corked
01 Dal Forno Valpolicella (92/94)-another good showing from a consistently solid and unique wine. Plums, raspberries, blackberries. This wine is all about fruit. A bit one dimensional but what is has, it has lots of it. Well balanced.
08 Bevan David's (95/97)- a revelation of sorts for me. My first Bevan and I must say, I'm a believer. Loads of perfectly ripe fruit. Walks the line but stays on the right side of the oak treatment. Vanilla accents with milk chocolate and blueberry jam. I'll be buying this wine if I can find any.