Thanksgiving Tasting: Iconic Wines from the USA
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting a Thanksgiving tasting in our Cellar at 105 Old Brompton Road. The line-up was an enviable mix of firm favourites, historic properties and Cult Producers from the West coast of the US. The outcome was a truly memorable evening with a stylistically diverse flight of wines that sparked discussion, amicable debate and rumination amongst attendees.
With eleven wines to taste in total we eagerly set about the “serious” work at hand. We had divided the tasting into three mini flights as follows:
Flight One
Roederer Estate, Quartet Brut, Anderson Valley, NV - £45.99
Founded over 40 years ago by Jean-Claude Rouzaud of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate brings French Champagne expertise to California.
More full and rounded than its French cousin with pear, citrus fruit and brioche and blessed with vibrant acidity thanks to the cooler climate of the Anderson valley. A benchmark for new world NV sparkling (in my opinion).
Lingua Franca, Estate Chardonnay, Eola-Amity, Hills 2021 – Sold out
This is what you get when you combine a Master Sommelier, Burgundy royalty and some of the top vineyard sites in Oregan. One of the wines of the evening.
Richly textured and bursting with citrus peel, green apple, honeysuckle and a flinty minerality. The acid is on point and runs along the backbone of the wine, class. If you don’t know Lingua Franca you definitely should.
Shafer, Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, Los Carneros, 2023 - £62.99
One of the great Napa families, Shafer have been a main stay of top Napa producers since 1978.
I think it’s fair to say that the Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, 2023 was opened a little young. Make no mistake this wine has all the building bocks and characteristics to be a great Chardonnay in a few years. Ripe pear, juicy apple and a hint of blossom. However, it tasted somewhat disjointed and awkward. I look forward to revisiting this wine in five years.
Kistler, Les Noisetiers, Sonoma Coast, 2022 – Sold out
The name Kistler is synonymous with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California. One of the greats of New World wine production.
This wine is exactly what you want when you think of Californian Chardonnay. Toasted hazelnuts, lemon curd, ripe citrus and a hint of vanilla. Harmonious and satisfying on the palate with delightful acidity and concentration. Full on and so well made.
Flight Two:
Kistler, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2021 - £130.00
Unadulterated pure pinot fruit character bursts from the glass. This is definitely Pinot with a Cali accent. Redcurrant, strawberry, red cherry and earthy undertones. Silky smooth on the palate but with a satisfying weight and bright acidity.
Ridge, Geyserville, Alexander Valley, 2021 - £62.99
Another legend of the early Cali wine pioneers, Ridge have been crafting wines since 1962. With a focus on higher altitude vineyards and old vine heritage sites. They have always given time and effort to field blends using varieties such as Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Alicante Bouschet.
Quite a subtle and delicate nose with lifted aromatics and earthy characteristics. The palate is dominated by dark fruit and fine-grained tannins. One for the future.
On a side note, we had a bottle of the 2019 in our Wine Emotion dispenser in the cellar and it made for a really interesting comparison with the 2021. A small window into how Geyserville evolves.
Inglenook, Rubicon, Napa Valley 2019 - £225.00
Inglenook is a true heritage estate within the Napa Valley ecosystem. Founded in 1879 this estate has been continuously growing grapes ever since (even during prohibition).
This Cab heavy Bordeaux blend from the famed Rutherford bench in the heart of the Napa Valley did not disappoint. Ripe dark fruit, cedar wood, cassis, pencil lead and that signature Rutherford cocoa dust ooze with finesse from the glass. The palate is silky and medium to full bodied with ripe tannins, dancing acidity and a long finish. Very well-made wine indeed.
Flight Three:
Groth, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2022 - £125.00
Founded in 1981by, former Atari CFO, Dennis Groth and his wife Judy. Groth have the accolade of being the first Californian wine to receive a 100-point score from Robert Parker for their 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cassis and vanilla dominate the nose, while the palate offers up ripe black cherry and plum and dried herbs with grippy tannins and a broad mouthfeel. Great components to develop and mature further. I’d like to revisit this wine in seven years and see how it’s getting on.
Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2017 - £262.00
A family-owned estate founded in 1972. Spottswoode have always been committed to organic farming and wider environmental stewardship. The estate is known for making crafts site driven Cabernets with great ageing potential.
For me this was the wine of the night. Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and crushed violet mingle with subtle notes of cedar, spice and graphite. Gripping tannins give way to expansive velvety texture and a dense core of red and dark fruits, lavender, rose spray, and spearmint. Refined, balanced, and built to age gracefully but drinking so well already. It’ll be a joy to revisit every few years and check how this wine is going. If you can avoid popping the cork now!!!!
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Fay, Napa Valley, 2015 - £185.00
Founded in 1970, the winery had a meteoric rise and gained international acclaim when its 1973 Cabernet triumphed at the 1976 “Judgment of Paris.” It has remained a mainstay in the pantheon of Napa greats ever since.
A wine that belies its age, still so youthful in appearance and in character. Blackberry, blackcurrant and subtle hints of cinnamon lift from the glass. The palate is dense and full bodied with firm yet ripe tannins demonstrating the power of the Stag’s Leap District AVA.
Sine Qua Non, Distenta I Grenache, Central Coast 2019 - £380.00
Founded by Manfred and Elaine Krankl in 1994 in Ventura in the Central Coast AVA of California. SQN is one of the original “Cult” wineries. Known for its visionary, small-lot Rhône-style wines, unique bottles, label artwork and ever-changing names.
Another popular wine on the night. The undoubtable power of this wine worked well in the role of finisher in the flight. Lavender, white pepper, raspberry, violets and black olives Perfectly balanced and rich the wine still maintains a playful weightless feel on the palate. No mean feat. With a long plush finish.
As an unashamed lover of West Coast wines it was an absolute joy to be involved in this tasting. Thank you to all those who attended and made it such a great night. I think it is fair to say that the tasting was a reminder that one of life’s greatest pleasures is sitting, sharing and talking about wonderful wines together.
Please do keep a look out for upcoming tastings, covering a wide range of regions and styles. We are also able to host private and corporate tastings, and we would love for you to joins us at 105 Old Brompton Road soon.
Cheers,
Will
