By: AJ McClellan
A wonderful tasting of the current release of four of Nickel & Nickel’s 14 single vineyard estates complemented by the Medina Chardonnay, Enroute Pinot Noir, and of course the famed Dolce. Nickel & Nickel have a great history in the Napa Valley, not to mention one of the coolest labels, and their 2007 vintage is one of the best I have had from this remarkable producer.
2009 Medina Vineyard Chardonnay – I great chardonnay with a nose of green apple, apricot, and peaches. The palate was round and rich with a dollop of butter surrounded by ripe fruit and a srisp minerality.
2009 Russian River Enroute Pinot Noir – A very impressive Pinot Noir. I have been a fan of this wine from its first vintage in 2007. The nose is full of ripe fruits with notes of blackberry and raspberry there is also a pleasant floral note on the back end of the wine. The palate is well balanced with great structure and a long finish.
2007 Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – At first the Tench was a little shut down and not giving much up, but after an hour in the glass if opened to show dark blue and black fruits and a woody finish.
2007 Branding Iron Cabernet Sauvignon – This was the fruitiest of the four single vineyard cabs we tried. Big cherry, raspberry, plum, and boysenberry on the palate with soft tannins and medium body.
2007 Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – This was my personal favorite of the foursome. Showing Staall the great fruit of the Branding Iron and the ridged structure of the State Ranch. Black cherries, blueberries, leather, and some smoke on the nose. The palate was powerful with a smooth finish. I think this wine will age very well and in 5 years it will be stunning.
2007 State Lane Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon – This was the biggest of the four wines with huge black fruits and massive tannins.
2006 Far Niente Dolce – A great desert wine, honey and apricot with excellent balance between sugar and acidity.
After the tasting the members pulled out a few treats for the table to enjoy.
2006 Bodega Chacra Cincuenta Y Cinco – From the owner of Sassicaia this Argentinean Pinot Noir tastes like a Grand Cru Gevrey. Soft blue and red fruits with a excellent palate of earth and minerality. In ten years this wine will compete with some of the best Burgundians for a third of the price.
2000 Insignia – A great bottle of Insignia, I was impressed with how well this wine has aged. Black fruits with great spice notes and subtle vanilla and cinnamon on the finish.
2008 Corra – Another great Cali Cab. Black Currants, blackberries, black cherries, black liquorish, tobacco, black earth with great huge fruit. The palate is seductive with soft velvety tannins and delicious dark chocolate great vanilla and clove, and allspice. Brilliant long finish of soft fruits and cooking spices.
1988 Pape Clement – This Bordeaux was drinking like a champ. Big coco powder on the nose with star anise, clove, dry foliage, and amazing ripe dark fruits. The palate was creamy and rich with blackberries, plum pie, red roses, and liquorish. The wine has an excellent balance with a long finish of chocolate butter.
1988 Remoissenet Clos Vougeot GC Magnum – The nose was wonderful pure Burgundy. Big earth with subtle spice and dry red fruits. The palate was plush and smooth showing forest floor and crushed fruits. Wonderful wine.