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| Chalone Wine Estates: California's Premier Wine Group |
December 5 |
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Speaker: Steve Miller, Wine Educator and Journalist
The Chalone Wine Group, a publically traded company, comprises some of the best wineries, and most innovative wine makers, in California. The group which was started in 1968 includes Edna Valley, Chalone, Acacia, Carmenet, Echelon, Jade Mountain and Canoe Ridge and a limited partnership with Chateau Duhart-Milon.
Wines are listed in the order of presentation. The 24 attendees were asked to vote for their favorite wine in each flight and then, from among the flight leaders, for their favorite wine of the evening. Prices listed are full retail mark-up. Notes are a combination of the speaker and Jonathan Levine's.
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| Flight I: Reception Wine and Chardonnay |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
1999 Monte Xanic Vina Kristel Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
The wine shows floral and citrus notes and is quite juicy. The acidity wakens the palate which is what you want in an aperitif or with food. Drink young.
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0 |
$12.00 |
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2000 Echelon Vineyards Chardonnay, Central Coast
The Group's entry in the "Fighting Varietal" market. These wines are vinified to be drunk young. This chardonnay is very tropical and austere. Appears oaky and hot, but really isn't.
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6 |
$13.00 |
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2000 Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay, Edna Valley
More tropical fruits, especially pineapple, lemons and mangos. An openly fruity style that is delicious for near term drinking.
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2 |
$18.00 |
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1999 Chalone Vineyard Chardonnay, Chalone
A very serious wine with a spicy aroma and a buttery texture. Very Burgundian (Meursault?) in style, not a typical California fruit bomb. If California had a Crusystem, this would be a Grand Cru. Elegant and a long finish.
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16
(9 Best wine of the event) |
$30.00 |
| Flight II: Pinot Noir |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
1999 Acacia Winery Pinot Noir, Carneros
A beguiling spicy aroma with notes of thyme and caraway seeds. A lighter style wine that reflects the cool growing region. Graceful.
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3 |
$25.00 |
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2000 Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Edna Valley
Muted aroma, but well structured. A bigger wine than the Acacia, but less graceful.
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7 |
$21.00 |
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1999 Chalone Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chalone
Lighter color and a more juicy strawberry nose. Less spice, but ripe fruit and a good acid balance. Powerful with complexity and subtle nuances.
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14
(4 Best wine of the event) |
$33.00 |
| Flight III: Rhone Style Reds |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
1999 Echelon Vineyards Syrah, California
Another drink now wine. Soft and pleasant every day drinking wine. Lacks the peppery and blueberry qualities so often associated with this varietal. Minty.
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5 |
$13.00 |
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1999 Jade Mountain La Provencale, California
Big, gutsy and tannic. Needs 3-5 years to soften up. A blend of Mouvedre (72%), Grenache and Syrah. A taste of chard meat and blackberries. Quite complex.
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12
(2 Best wine of the event) |
$20.00 |
| Flight IV: Bordeaux Varietals |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
1998 Sagelands Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia
Valley, Washington
Minty to the nose with a medicinal quality.
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2 |
$16.00 |
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1998 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley,
Washington
Not a wine for the faint of heart. What a pleasure to sip a Merlot with structure, concentration, depth and complexity. What Merlot should be.
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17
(10 Best wine of the event) |
$24.00 |
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1998 Chateau Duhart-Milon, Pauillac, Bordeaux
Appears defused, but most likely in a "dumb" phase. Much too young to drink, this wine needs a minimum of ten years. The underlying fruit is there and so is the structure. Should evolve very nicely.
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6 |
$47.00 |
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