http://blakeley.com/blogofile Performance, scalability, databases, and whatever comes up. Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:44:55 GMT Blogofile hourly 1 http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/408 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:14 UTC http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/408 Storybook 1982-87

• 1987 Estate Reserve (13.5%): group rank 1; cedar-box nose, still has good tannic structure and a long finish.
• 1984 Estate Reserve (13.5%): group rank 3; rich and brambly.
• 1985 Napa (13.5%): group rank 7; seemed off to me, with a musty mocha character.
• 1983 Estate Reserve (13.5%): group rank 5; good minerality and some typical Zinfandel raisins.
• 1985 Estate Reserve (13.5%): group rank 6; some bottle-stink, which diminished with time.
• 1982 Estate Reserve (13.5%): group rank 2; some bottle-stink at first.
• 1987 Napa (13.5%): group rank 4; seemed to be drying out early, but still rewarding.

]]> http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/352 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:24:47 UTC http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/352 Grenache

1999 Bethany, Barossa-McLaren Vale (14.5%). Showed vanillin, pepper, and robust tannins. Group score 13.

2000 Bethany, Barossa-McLaren Vale (14.0%). Some orange in the color, indicating oxidation. Shows strawberries and peppery tannins, but they don't linger in the glass. Group score 27.

1999 T-Vine, Napa Valley (15.4%). Cloudy, with eucalyptus in the nose, leading me to pick this as an Australian. Group score 20.

2000 T-Vine, Napa Valley (14.4%). Fleshy texture, cedar-box, and somewhat hot. Group score 18.

1999 Cedarville, El Dorado (14.5%). Showed vanillin and some light fruit, marred by vegetal notes. Group score 23.

2000 Cedarville, El Dorado (15.5%). Showed some pleasing strawberry and soft tannins, but fell apart into rubbery aromas as the wine opened up. Group score 25.

]]> http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/349 Thu, 22 May 2008 23:23:54 UTC http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/349 1978 Cabernet Sauvignon

Phelps Backus (13.6%): group score 50.

Phelps Eisele (13.5%): group score 54. Showed some eucalyptol or menthol, typical for the vineyard.

Beaulieu Rutherford (12.5%): group score 95.

Beaulieu Private Reserve (13.5%): group score 76.

Sterling Merlot (13%): group score 83. Grapey, mineral, and over the hill.

Tulocay (13.3%): group score 75. Gone, and going off.

Villa Mt Eden Reserve (13%): group score 45. Drying out, but still nice.

Chateau Prieure Lichine, Margaux (12.5%): group score 56. Distinctive for its green bell-pepper nose, I'll claim credit for picking this one out as the French interloper in the group. It was also my favorite of the tasting.

]]> http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/348 Mon, 19 May 2008 23:22:22 UTC http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/348 Brandlin Ranch Zinfandel

1991 Rosenblum (14.1%): group score 22. This had fairly heavy sediment, and a rich earthiness alongside cedar, brambles, and a hint of barnyard.

1993 Rosenblum (13.8%): group score 19. Seemed to be drying out, but still fragrant, with cedar and vanillin prominent.

1994 Rosenblum (14.8%): group score 14. Highest alcohol = best score? There was some sediment, with prominent alcohol in the bouquet.

1994 Franus (14.4%): group score 20. This showed jammy fruit, followed by brambles and vanillin.

1995 Rosenblum (14.3%): group score 35. I thought this one was corked.

1996 Rosenblum (14.3%): group score 16. Typical California Zinfandel, with boiled sweets and raisins.

]]> http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/346 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:35:19 UTC http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/346 Dehlinger Pinot Noirs

1995 Dehlinger "Estate", Russian River Valley (14.5%) - group score: 63

1995 Dehlinger "Octagon Vineyard", Russian River Valley (14.5%) - group score: 63

1997 Dehlinger "Goldridge Vineyard", Russian River Valley (14.3%) - group score: 74

1997 Dehlinger "Reserve", Russian River Valley (14.3%) - group score: 52

1999 Dehlinger "Goldridge Vineyard", Russian River Valley (14.3%) - group score: 64

1999 Dehlinger "Octagon Vineyard", Russian River Valley (14.5%) - group score: 81

2001 Dehlinger "Goldridge Vineyard", Russian River Valley (14.3%) - group score: 59

2001 Dehlinger "High Plains", Russian River Valley (14.3%) - group score: 48

]]> http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/345 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:08:01 UTC http://blakeley.com/blogofile/archives/345 1978 and 1980 Ridge Zinfandels

1978 Langtry Road (60% Zin, 30% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane; 14.6%) - Showing a floral-herbal bouquet, with jammy fruit and some lingering acidity. Group rank: 44.

1978 York Creek (100% Zin; 13.9%) - Typical Zinfandel nose, "boiled sweets" or candied cherries. Still lively and drinkable, this was my third-favorite of the flight. Group rank: 50.

1978 Shennandoah "Eschen Vineyard" (95% Zin, 5% Petite Sirah; 15.9%) - Sadly, this wine was corked. Group rank: 86.

1978 Paso Robles (95% Zin, 5% Petite Sirah; 14.6%) - Some oxidation, phenolic notes, and some mustiness in the nose. Group rank: 50.

• 1980 Ridge "Shennandoah - Esola Vineyard" (95% Zin, 5% Petite Sirah; 13.9%) - Dry, cedar-like nose, with a soft mouth-feel and a lingering finish. Still good, but should be drunk up quickly. Group rank: 50.
• 1980 Ridge "Langtry Road" (57% Zin, 33% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane; 13.4%) - My favorite of the tasting, with a cedar-vanillin nose, balanced mouth-feel, and typical Zinfandel fruit. Group rank: 36.
• 1980 Ridge "Geyserville -Trentadue Ranch" (100% Zin; 14.6%) - My second-favorite, with raisiny Zinfandel fruit and a surprising amount of acidity. As the wine opened up, these elements came into balance nicely. Group rank: 40.
• 1980 Ridge "York Creek - Spring Mountain" (90% Zin, 10% Petite Sirah; 13.9%) - Brambles and vegetation, with a pleasant finish, but not to my taste. Group rank: 49.

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