Mondavi was one of the pioneers of California and a legend in the winemaking world. He was also the man who introduced the wine and term - Fume Blanc, as opposed to Sauvignon Blanc. I have had a single vineyard offering of this before, but this is the 2005 regular bottling of the Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc.
Compared to many top rated New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, this was priced higher.
I opened this prior to dinner at my house.
2005 Mondavi Fume Blanc
Lemon, some walnut and lit match on the nose. The aroma was interesting as it changed a bit and went more citrus. The taste was a little steely and austere at first. Not a youthful spritzy sauvignon blanc as it tasted more blended. The mouthfeel was heavier than I would have expected from a young fume blanc. Almost chardonnay like when it first hit the palate. Kind of an oily, lemon taste that really dominates the palate and the finish.
Very lemony on the finish. I have to call this 2005 a pass.
84 Points
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Pax Syrah - 2006 Pax Castelli-Knight Ranch, Russian River Valley
I recently received some select 2006 single vineyard Syrahs from Pax Winery. Pax is one of my favorite syrah producers in California. They produce wonderfully rich and complex syrah red wines without the high alcohol, heat or over the top sugars. The 2006 Castelli Knight Ranch Russian River Valley wine is no exception.
I am on Pax's mailing list and you get to taste many different offerings and vineyards when you order form them. Pax also has terrific customer service as I have experienced first hand.
The 2006 Castelli Ranch Syrah is a very young wine and like most Pax wines, it needs a few years in the cellar. Still, I brought home some nice prime butcher Rib Eyes for dinner and wanted something bold. Sure, bloody steaks normally crave cabernet, but I wanted to give a young studly syrah from one of my favorite producers a shot. It held up very very well. We opened the Pax Syrah for 3 hours before dinner. I did not decant as I rarely decant any wine. THAT may be a ripe topic to post and debate about on another post.
I wrote some brief review notes over dinner while enjoying this wine. It lived up to the steak match, but it is years away from peak.
2006 Pax Castelli Knight Ranch Syrah Russian River Valley
Rich blackberry, currant and smokey pepper aroma. Some meaty undertones on the nose too. A big wine for sure. The 14.8% alcohol is perfect here. Rich cab like mouthfeel that felt big and bold. Tastes of black cherry cola, blackcherry with great dark mountain fruit. Long finish, but very young. This needs 2-3 years minimum in the bottle. I will hold the rest.
Almost too young to score, but what the hell:
93-94 Points
Really really nice.
SEARCH WINE REFRIDGERATORS ON EBAY - Live Results
I am on Pax's mailing list and you get to taste many different offerings and vineyards when you order form them. Pax also has terrific customer service as I have experienced first hand.
The 2006 Castelli Ranch Syrah is a very young wine and like most Pax wines, it needs a few years in the cellar. Still, I brought home some nice prime butcher Rib Eyes for dinner and wanted something bold. Sure, bloody steaks normally crave cabernet, but I wanted to give a young studly syrah from one of my favorite producers a shot. It held up very very well. We opened the Pax Syrah for 3 hours before dinner. I did not decant as I rarely decant any wine. THAT may be a ripe topic to post and debate about on another post.
I wrote some brief review notes over dinner while enjoying this wine. It lived up to the steak match, but it is years away from peak.
2006 Pax Castelli Knight Ranch Syrah Russian River Valley
Rich blackberry, currant and smokey pepper aroma. Some meaty undertones on the nose too. A big wine for sure. The 14.8% alcohol is perfect here. Rich cab like mouthfeel that felt big and bold. Tastes of black cherry cola, blackcherry with great dark mountain fruit. Long finish, but very young. This needs 2-3 years minimum in the bottle. I will hold the rest.
Almost too young to score, but what the hell:
93-94 Points
Really really nice.
SEARCH WINE REFRIDGERATORS ON EBAY - Live Results
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