May 24, 2006 - Tasting Notes - Joanne

Bonhams & Butterfields Pre-Auction Tasting
San Francisco – May 18, 2006

A pre-auction tasting for the auction two days later.

Overall, this wasn't the best Bonhams tasting, but it was very well-attended.
The Bordeaux table, which starred last time, was the worst this time around.
The stars included the 1986 Heitz Martha's Vineyard, 1982 Lynch Bages,
1997 Harlan Estate Borromeo, 1993 Hartwell and 1998 Araujo.
(The right-most column is Bottles Desired. - Jack)

1998 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon
Eisele Vineyard		 Nose is closed. Intense center. Tons of acids on finish.
4-5?
2000 Araujo Altagracia Red Berries and medicinal notes on nose – almost a creamy nose. Tannic, slightly acidic center with a slightly bitter finish.
3
1970 Château Giscours   maderized nose. Almost sherry-like center. Gone. Long finish. Too bad.
1982 Château Haut-Bages-Libéral   Cologne-like nose. Bright slightly fruit center with a long finish. Has time. Joanne liked!
4-8
1976 Château Lafite Rothschild   Curranty nose. Almost a hint of TCA in center – an old tea/mustiness. Kinda past its prime but fun to drink. Would consider buying depending on the price.
3
1994 Château Margaux   Nose of sausage and smoke. Center very bright, slightly acidic and closed and tight. Very young. Even at the end of the tasting the wine still had not opened. Nose suggests more than it’s giving right now.
3-6?
1991 Château Montelena   Slightly stinky nose. Lots of fruit. Long finish. This wine has time yet.
3-4+
2001 Clos Apalta   Raisiny woody notes on nose. Strange fruity almost extracted center but tons of acids.
3
1988 Comte Armand Pommard Clos des Epeneaux Dried raisins – almost a powdery nose. Bright slightly center. Not much of a finish. Drink now.
3+
2004 George Pinot Noir Nuptial Vineyard Cherry-cola nose. Very bright creamy center. Weird sweet finish.
1?
1995 A. Gros Chambolle Musigny Le Combe D’Orveau Cherry nose. Bright cherry. Good acids. Acidic finish. Not heavy on fruit.
2+
1997

Borromeo
(Harlan Estate)

 Cabernet Sauvignon Raisiny concentrated nose. Very very tannic slightly woody center. Good concentration, long long finish. According to the catalogue “Borromeo” was produced as a commemorative bottling for the Santa Lucia Preserve Community. It is labeled “Borromeo” not Harlan Estate.
4-8
1993 Hartwell Cabernet Sauvignon
Sunshine Vineyard		 Creamy nose. A different flavor – like blueberry cream in center. Bright and slightly watery finish. But fresh and lively with a sort of elegance.
4-6
1986 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon
Martha’s Vineyard		 Ash and smokey fruit. Bright acids. Lean bright finish but long. Will last.
6
1987 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon
Martha’s Vineyard		 Pretty closed. Bright bright center. Long finish. Still lots of life.
3-4
1993 L. Jadot Gevrey Chambertin Earthy nose. Tannic center. Pretty closed. Thin fruit. Long finish. Happy to drink. Later it had opened up a bit.
3-5
1976 Kallstadter Steinacker Riesling Trockenberenauslese  Honey’d apricots and figs. Good acids fading a bit on the finish. Ripe orange melon notes in center. Light.
2
2001 Kistler Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Bitter almonds and oak on nose. Very butter round center with silky slightly viscous texture. Long finish.
2?
2001 Marcassin Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge Bright. Slightly cherry cream nose. Very bright, sweet creamy cherry center. Slightly Oaky. Acids on finish. Showing really well.
4
1993 T. Moillard Echezeaux Warm, bloody nose – slightly stinky. Very closed. Minerally, irony finish.
3+
1985 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Smokey nose. Lean center showing age on fruit. A cough medicine/ minty/eucalyptus note in the center. Drink now.
2-3?
1987 Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon Herbal green nose. Bright herbal center. Jack didn’t like the style.
2
1997 Trimbach Riesling
Cuvee Frederic Emile		 Nose of fresh green grapes and petrol. Traces of sweetness in center. Fresh cut hay. 
2-5



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