Domain du Pegau Chateaunuef du Pape 2005

During the "Big Dog" shootout, a friend of mine introduced this and blew us all away! We aren't alone apparently:

94 points - Wine Spectator
92-94 points - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
95 points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

I'm already a fan of Chateaunuef du Pape, but this one gets the gold star.

Expect a big structure with strong tannins that subside with time and decanting. Very dark fruit, fig, and dusty leather notes. Red cherry cobbler and rare steak flavors with licorice and cigar box present. This one evolves with every taste.. enjoy it very very slowly. The complexity of this wine is amazing, you will not find anything quite like this outside of Chateauneuf. Really.

If you haven't tried a Chateaunuef, this would be a wonderful place to start! As you might expect, it's not cheap - $79 or so for this vintage. 2005 is one of the better vintages, but the 2004 is even better (and more expensive).

T-Scale 94. This is the best Chateauneuf I've tried to date.

Incredible Cabernet weekend - pure hedonism! Six Cabs for your pleasure.

This was the kind of weekend that a novice wine enthusiast (such as me) dreams about. It was my time to sample the famous Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Stag's Leap Cellars, Alpha Omega Cab.. plus a few others deserving high marks.

First and foremost: Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2004

My first taste of a first-growth was blessed with a vintage that was not too high in tannin, therefore, pleasurable to the palette. Not ready yet, one can see how this will be in say... 2015 or so. The wonderful oaky fruits are beginning to show through the stuff tannin structure. If you speculate, I can see why you might choose Mouton. This will be a monster in years to come. As for now, the $400 price tag might be hard to swallow... It was offered to me at $300, however. No, I didn't bite. T-Scale 91!


Stags Leap Wine Cellars - Artimis 2006

Super wonderful wine with steaks! Starts hot but fades with a little time in the glass. Great sage, rosemary, and mineralogical ground cover throughout the glass makes this a bit less fruity and more worthy of a meal Cab. The fruit doesn't overpower your plate. Probably not my first choice as a stand-alone Cab, however. These are about $40 or so, so it's a bit more affordable than say, Winiarski's S.L.V. T-Scale 90


Next up is the 2007 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon. This is one of my club wines, so unfortunately, you won't find it on the shelves anywhere (but if you do, let me know please!)

I think I could probably drink this Cab exclusively. For me, this is the one. This might actually upset the leader, Justin Isosceles. It won't however, because of its price - $75. I guess if it was cheaper, we'd all be drinking it.. sigh. Anyway, this is one of, if not the best, Cabernet offerings as far as stand-alone quality goes. I would not pair this with a meal, but perhaps a dark chocolate instead. This thing is so fruit-forward it presents itself a bit port-ish, but not overbearing. Ready for this? T-Scale 95! This is the Cab to beat folks.



Ah.. the 2007 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto, easily the best deal of the weekend at $26. This is a true "Super Tuscan" in which Cabernet dominates. Like a true Italian Cab, one finds old leather, dust, oak, and late blooming fruits with evolve with time in the glass. Do decant (actually decant all Cab before serving) as this will bring the fruits out of hiding. Good stuff and available. T-Scale 91




The Cheval des-Andes Argentina 2002 Cab was probably the most interesting South American Cab I've tried yet. You won't mistake these wines for American or French. I feel they're more Rioja or Tuscan with heavy oak, green pepper, leather and earth, but nonetheless a great wine. Yikes $75!!! Nice, but not that nice. T-Scale 88.



Ah last was Cliff Lede's 2007 Cab. There really is a bit of difference in the Stag's Leap district wines which differentiates them from the rest of Napa. I won't say I like them more, because I don't. They are, however, softer, spicier, and probably a better pair to food. This is no exception. Very nice evolution in the glass, changes to a softer mellow cassis and red fruit with time. Not cheap, $50, but not bad. T-Scale 89.

Chris Ringland 2007 Shiraz

Looking for a big hairy beast of a Shiraz? Start here. It's everything you want in that bigger-than-life Australian Shiraz without that extra large price. This is one of those wines Robert Parker rates a 92, but it isn't in that $100 range like so many others.

I wasn't always a fan of these large, pancake-syrup style Shiraz wines, but have recently started appreciating them. I wouldn't try to pair this wine with food because it is a meal in itself. Your palate will be unable to taste anything except this as it will be covered with thick purple hair!

It's got everything, lots of tannin, fruit, spice, tea, tar, and most of all.. alcohol. I can't believe this thing is only $19 or so. It's a big time heavy hitter in league with Southern Belle and others, but for a bit less mula.

T-Scale 92. I'm going to have to buy a few of these. It's unusual, hot, and tasty as heck!

American Sauvignon shootout - Alpha Omega v. Merry Edwards

Time to get the big dogs out of the cellar. I put the two top Sauvignon Blancs from my stash out to air on the deck for an all-out competition.

I put out like vintages (2009) of the Merry Edwards Russian River and the Alpha Omega 1155 for the taste-off. Out of the bottle, Edwards is a strong, gooseberry-ish quaff with a nice grassy nose. That grass does not dominate like those from New Zealand and elsewhere. Alpha is my usual fav with its light grapefruit, peach and pear throughout. The 1155 is the upgraded offering over the regular Sauvignon Blanc, being estate-grown right at the tasting room.

Over time, the Alpha faded a bit, becoming lighter and less fruity. Edwards stayed strong, mellowing slightly allowing the peaches, pears, and slight apricot to show. The finish of both is like cream on top of a bowl of canned peaches.. just light and tasty.

In the end, we both agreed that Merry Edwards won the day. This could be the best Sauvignon Blanc produced anywhere, Sauternes excluded of course. It is certainly the American-made wine to beat. As a bonus, you can now buy it locally! The Alpha remains a club-only deal, but since I'm in the club, I get my fill.

Do the Merry Edwards. This IS the Sauvignon Blanc to beat.

T-Scale: Merry Edwards - 93; Alpha Omega 1155 91. I might actually like the Alpha regular issues a bit better. Both of these wines are at the top of the American Sauvignon Blanc experience.

Weekend of whites - Grgich Hills and Vieux Telegraphe

What a weekend for whites! First came the Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2007 on Friday and then the Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc 2004 on Saturday.

It's been some time since I've enjoyed Mike Grgich's famous grape juice so this was quite a treat. Even see Bottle Shock? Grgich was the winemaker at Chateau Montelena in 1973 when the famous Chardonnay took the world championship at the Paris tasting. So if you want to taste a world champ, this is the one.

Seeking a better made Chardonnay is an act of futility. The nose is light and lemony. The taste is perfection, almost too perfect. One doesn't detect any offensive oak or bitter citrus. The creamy pear and peach flavors roll off the tongue like silk. Few Chardonnays have this amazing quality! Unfortunately, it's fairly high dollar. If it wasn't, we'd be drinking it every night, correct?

So I've been eyeing that Telegraphe blanc in my father in law's wine cooler for about a year now. Saturday came the evening of truth. I've been fortunate enough to sample their red, now I get the little sister white. It's really good!

I'm not sure about the exact composition, but the 2008 is 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne, and 15% Bourboulenc. I can taste and smell the Roussanne influence with the slightly flowery nose. The taste is somewhat mineral with soft creamy lemons and honey in the middle. The finish is medium-bodied and lasting. Overall, much above average for Rhone blended whites.

T-Scale: Grgich Hills - 92 ($34 - 42); Telegraphe 90 ($23 - $40). Both are outstanding medium-bodied whites for fall. Let me know if you find either of these on the lower end of the price scale. As you can see, the price for both of these varies widely!

Californian Syrah threesome - Adelaida, San Marco Creek, and Dutton Goldfield

The last three bottles I've consumed have all been Californian Syrah. There was a time I wasn't crazy about Syrah, but lately I've really had a taste for it.

One of local proprietors had several bottles discounted for some reason. I had to partake of the following: Adelaida's Viking 2006 $14!!!), San Marcos Creek Estate 2005 ($20), and Dutton Goldfield Cherry Ranch ($20).

The Adelaida is simple a steal at this price. It is quite dry, somewhat earthy, and really fruit forward with dark cherries and leather.

The San Marcos is even fruitier. Not quite as dry, it's more of a stand alone wine made in a more Australian style. It's not as heavy and hot as most Australian, but it's big for California.

The Dutton Goldfield is one of the best food-pairing Syrahs I've had. This complemented my chicken Parmesan nicely. The tomato-basil sauce melted into the mellow dusty flavor of the syrah like a light breeze over a warm autumn day. S

I prefer these Californian Syrahs to most of the Australians I've poured. When I want a large, syrup styled Shiraz I turn to those that Parker rates highly. But, when I have a food pairing or want to enjoy some spice and dust, California serves me well.

If you're not familiar with Syrah, any of these is a good place to start.

T-Scale ratings: Adelaida 89, San Marcos 89, Dutton Goldfield 90

Try some Syrah! It's good for the fall and the cooler weather.

My house Pinot Noir shootout - Longboard v. De-fin-i-tive

My house Pinot Noir is subject to change occasionally when I find a new upstart willing to take on the current champ. In the past, the gold belt was worn by the likes of MacMurray Ranch and LaCrema, but for a while now it's been Longboard's Russian River 2007.

I had a small vertical tasting which compared three different Definitive Pinots including the Napa Valley, Russian River, and the Sonoma Coast. The Russian River is the best by just a nose over the Napa, but either could compete for the title of The T-Scale House Pinot.

So for this bout I've chosen the Russian River Definitive. I chilled each slightly and then opened them. Over two hours I allowed them to develop from first pour to last. On first taste, I found the Definitive "hot" - showing too much alcohol. The Longboard came out strong, but quite nice.

Both of these are very ripe, fruity, and somewhat earthy. The acidity is fairly low unlike Burgundy, but I didn't choose these to compete with the French, Oregon, or Washington Pinots. These are the big, full bodied American style bad boys that Miles in Sideways would be proud to put upon his rack.

So on second pour, the Definitive mellowed nicely. Now it shows its ripe strawberries and red cherries. The Longboard continues to delight, now mellowing as well.

The last pour had the Definitive showing its best. The Longboard continued to mellow, perhaps now too much. But at the finish, Longboard pulled out a narrow victory.

Now about price. The Longboard varies in price from my various merchants, but on average, I can get it for $25 or so. Definitive tends to be a little less at an average of $22-$23. Would I pay the extra $3? You bet!

Longboard is a big Pinot with plenty of big time fruit throughout. This will stand up to red meat or tomato-based sauces that aren't too spicy. Consider it a Pinot for cooler weather as is the Definitive. No need to give up your Pinot during the wintertime when you consume the big Russian River styles.

T-Scale - Longboard retains its title!