Last week we had an opportunity to try some of California’s most elite. When you start the evening with 2011 Tusk and 2005 SQN Atlantis Fe203-2a Grenache, you know it is going to be a great night. With the deepest generosity, we tried the 2011 Tusk and wow did it blow my mind! Completely unreal with hyper-concentrated deep fruit, dense blows of espresso, vanilla beans, caramel and dark berry liqueur, there were layers of crushed slate and granite intermingled perfectly with the fruit. Notice how I did not describe a single hint of green that is such an infamous marker for the ’11 vintage because there simply was none to be found in this massively wonderful, yes, wonderful 2011 Napa Cabernet. Leather and spices were beautifully rounded while the texture was mouth-coating, the tannins seamless, fine and ripe on the tongue while perfectly gripping towards the finish. From the nose to the last breath of the finish; this is one of the best 2011’s I have experienced from Napa Cabernet yet.
The 2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Grenache was ridiculously amazing as it should be. The red fruit was wild, fresh, ripe and plenty. Every flavor was intensely concentrated and seductive; they completely melted on the tongue with while red berries, tobacco, red tea, star anise, luscious red, purple floral and deep gravel tones with rich turned soil and cedar. It was incredibly silky in texture while still holding its SQN power and fruit.
Celia Welch’s 2009 Corra Cabernet was a stunner. It showed more edge on the palate with brooding fruit and more rustic spice when compared to Tusk, but really, how ‘rustic’ can a 2009 Napa Cabernet get? There was more leather, mocha, charred cedar and tar within the crushed wild blackberry fruit. Quite expansive in flavor and texture is Celia’s style and the wine stood strong next to the powerhouse estates from California.
We finished the night with the 2012 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny and the 2012 Futo OV|SL. As always, these bottles blow almost everything out of the water when it comes to the same caliber of Napa Cabernet. Surely I have blogged about these multiple times, but I am not complaining about my privileged addiction.
Fantastic Highlights of Last Week
2005 Cristal
2008 Vazart Coquart Grand Bouquet
2010 Ardhuy Corton Charlemagne
2013 Aubert Eastside Chardonnay
2013 Aubert Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay
2012 Patrick Piuze Val de Mer Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos
2009 William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos
2012 Cobb Coastlands Pinot Noir
2000 Pichon Lalande
1996 Pichon Lalande
2000 Pichon Baron
2000 Monbousquet
2009 Gaja Conteisa Barolo
1999 Oikonomoy
2009 Corra
2012 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny
2005 SQN Atlantis
2011 Tusk
2012 Futo OV|SL