California Cult’s – Head-to-Head :-)

Paul and Carol setup an incredible lineup of cult wines for Friday evening that was a great privilege to be a part of. The first wine of the night was the 2002 “Falcor Le Bijou” ( “The Jewel” in French). This is an elegant Bordeaux-style blend that is drinking really well as of this tasting.

PS all of these wines were opened for about two hours before drinking, because someone was late

Wine Details

Winery: Falcor

Appellation: Napa Valley

Vineyard Source: Merlot – Shifflett Vineyard, Yountville. Cabernet Franc – Stagecoach Vineyard, Atlas Peak. Cabernet Sauvignon – H Block, Howell Mtn. & Shifflett. Petit Verdot – Wood Vineyard, Rutherford

Composition: 44% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot

Notes: 24 months in American and French oak, 55% new French oak, 45% “experienced” French oak. 913 cases made. The varietals were aged 10 months separately, then aged seven months as a blend.

Alc: 14.3%

On the nose blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, cassis, eucalyptus, cedar, chocolate, roasted jalapeno, and green tea with a nice earthiness. The palate is smooth, supple, and round, with a full mouth feel. On the finish there is a hint of oak, tobacco, and leather. Nice lingering finish and great balance.

Rating: 94 JH

The next wine up was the 2006 “Cuv’ee Rutherford” available to Rubicon Estate members only. this is a rare bottling that is made in only extreme limited quantities, and only in years that merit this unique blend.

Wine Details

Winery: Rubicon Estate

I don’t have a lot of other details on the makeup of this blend at this time.

Dark garnet color. On the nose black cherry, dark fruit, rusty, and dusty with a great mineral component. There is vanilla, chocolate and charred oak as well on the nose. On the palate the generous fruit and tannins are not integrated at this time. The front and mid palate are a little thin and the finish falls off fast. This wine needs time to lay down and come together. Overall I think this wine is very age worthy and will improve over the next 3-5 years.

Rating: 91-93 JH

The next wine up was the 2006 “Leviathan” by winemaker Andy Erickson of Screaming Eagle, Ovid, Dancing Hare, Favia, Hartwell, and Dalla Valle. The Viticulturist is Anie Favia of Abreu, and Screaming Eagle. For the money this is one of the finest wines made in California today, hands down.

Wine Details:

Appelation: Napa Valley

Winemaker: Andy Erickson

Vintage: 2006

Varietals: 41% Cabernet, 32% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 7% Cab Franc

Dark garnet color. On the nose Blackberry, black cherry, nutmeg, cinnamon, pencil lead, light brown sugar, dark chocolate, dark toasty oak, with a hint of eucalyptus, pepper, and vanilla. On the generous palate the fruit is full, rich, and ripe. This wine is graceful and elegant. The tannins are well integrated and the finish is extremely pleasant and long. This is drinking well right now!! This wine is an amazing  steal for the money at around $50.00 bones. Buy all you can!!

Rating 95+

The last wine for the night was the 2005 Jonata El Desafio ( or Defiance). A classic French Medoc blend from Santa Ynez Valley in California. This estate is under the same ownership as Napa Valley’s Screaming Eagle winery. While well known Bordeaux consultant, Michel Rolland, and Screaming Eagle’s winemaker, Andy Erickson, play important roles at Jonata, the people most responsible for the quality of the wines are owners Charles Banks, Stan Kroenke, and winemaker Matt Dees. This is the second vintage from Jonata.

Wine Details

Vintage: 2005

Varietals: 93% Cabernet, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

Appelation: Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara

Alc: 14.9%

Deep dark color like ink. On the nose Blackberry, black cherry, black currant, cassis, black pepper, violets, tobacco, earth, with spanish cedar box. The fruit is bright and rich with a full mouthfeel. at 14.9% alc and even probably higher, the alcohol is a little hot on the palate, and over powers the fruit IMO. The wine should be layed down for the next 3-5 years before drinking, to show it’s full potential. This wine will drink well for the next 10-12 years.

Rating: 93-95 JH