S&E Wine Club | Favorite Unrated Wines
Theme of the tasting was for wines that you personally love and that have no professional rating from Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast. There were a total of nine wines, including one dessert wine. Since there has to be some kind of guidance or regulation for what to bring, the Cellar Master (Sean) sent out a gift list with options of what to bring to the tasting. That included a list of the Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot), and Syrah.
Who brought what wines?
From John and Robin: - 2005 Campos de Solana Coleccion de Altura Gran Reserva and 2013 Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Rita's Crown Santa Rita Hills
From Tom and Andrea: - 2012 Wine Foundry Le Chabrot
From Dave and Jenna: - 2012 Entre Nous Malbec
From Sean and Estelle: - 2006 Rubissow Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 2007 Bird in Hand Nest Egg Shiraz and 2013 Mullineux Chenin Blanc Straw Wine
From Greg and India:- 2012 Sarocka Estate
Medium garnet red and not cloudy. Nose started off a little musty, with some floral notes like potpourri. Low tannins (4/10) and the body starts off slowly and ends up with a medium body. Slightly tangy on the palate and metallic near the moderate to light finish.
Could tell this was a Bordeaux blend but that was about it, did not seem to have too much new french oak. First time trying a Bolivian wine. Was a very fun experience! If this blend is similar to the 2010 it is a blend of Tannat, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
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Price Point:
N/A.Clear and ruby red with moderate plus intensity.Nose started off very tight, only noticeable element was dark berries. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) and moderate body. A little furry texture and a little bit of cassis. Moderate finish that might beef out with some time.
Tasted blind. Honestly at first this was a Cabernet Sauvignon, definitely needs some more time. Definitely has lots of potential.
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Price Point:
$$$ - Around $93.00.
Blind tasting, wine number 3, bag number 1. Dark and opaque ruby red. Nose started off tight with chalk and a stinky shoebox. Once it aired out for a little bit over 2 hours it started to explode with cassis and blueberries. Moderate body with moderate plus tannins (7/10). Needs times to integrate together. Started off a little sweet on the palate and a little bit of heat. Very young and was thinking Cabernet Sauvignon or Cab Blend. Definitely needs time to integrate and will be delicious then.
Special winemaking project for people who want to make their own wine and choose how involved to get.
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N/A.Bright red and clear. Love the nose, black olives, cherries and hummus. Moderate tannins (6.5/10), and moderate body. Nicely integrated between the size of the body and tannins, but would love to try this in a few years by then hopefully the little bit of heat wears off. Nice amount of dark fruits as well. Lingering and smooth finish. Our number three of the night.
Time has done favors for this wine. Love the nose. Honestly did not know what it was but came out as our third favorite of the night. Bottle number 2763 of 3250.
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Price Point:
$$ - If you can find it, it tends to be around $55.00 to $60.00 in the United States.
Decanted for 2 hours. Dark, deep and opaque ruby red. Nose had a lot of dark berries, and a ton of cassis. Slow attack then it hits hard. High tannins (8.5/10) and full bodied. Long lingering finish. Beautiful and voluptuous wine. Second time having this and I loved it. Cannot wait to buy the 2013 next year. Our WOTN!
This Bordeaux-blend is made of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. We love that Petit Verdot!
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$$$ - $135.00.Deep crimson. Tight to start with red fruits, chalk, and slight cassis. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) and moderate body. 9 years has done quite a few favors to this wine. Definitely can last a few more. Sand paper texture and lots of cassis in the palate. Long and lingering finish.
Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Rubissow Vineyard up on Mount Veeder. Aged for 20 months in French oak and only 290 cases produced.
2015 till 2021.
Price Point:
$$$ - $125.00
Mix between crimson and garnet red. Tight nose that was very sweet, like syrup and a little bacon. On the palate there was a lot of raisins, ethanol, very sweet and dried fruits. Definitely needed some more time to open up at least 4+ hours. Moderate body with moderate tannins (6.5/10).
Tasted bling but could tell it was a pinot, and from our experience at the Pinot Noir Wine Club night we knew it had to be a Bevan Pinot.
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$$$ - $75.00.Dessert wine to finish off this nights event. Orange gold in color. Perfume, apricot, pear and light flowers on the nose. Smooth, silky and thick. Delicious wine, if you haven't tried it you need to.
Made of 100% Chenin Blanc from two different areas in Swartland. The youngest vines are 35 years old. Aged for 12 months in old 225L French oak barrels.
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Price Point:
$$ - $31.89 (375mL).
There was a tie between 2012 Sarocka Estate and the 2007 Bird in Hand Nest Egg Shiraz.
Both had four first place votes and one second place vote. All amazing wines and thank you for everyone that came!