|
|
| Conn Creek: Red Wines At Their Best |
Wednesday August 7, 2002
|
|
Speaker: Jonathan Levine, Wine Educator, Journalist and Co-Director, Tasters Guild NY
Wines are listed in the order of presentation. The 13 attendees were asked to vote for their favorite wine in each flight. (Two votes in Flight III) Since the wines were purchased at auction and are currently unavailable, no prices are listed. However, the full retail mark-up of current vintages are: Merlot $25.00, Cabernet $28.00 and Anthology $48.00. Notes are a combination of the speaker and Kim Ginsberg's. Ms. Ginsberg is a NYC based wine consultant and formerly a professor of wine education at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
One of the most respected and consistent small wineries that began during the exciting, explosion of wineries, some 30 years ago, spearheaded by people from a myriad of backgrounds who came to California with a deep commitment to making the very best wine they could- not money. In the case of Conn Creek, that vision was embraced by a former submarine officer, William Collins and his wife, Kathy, who started growing grapes in 1967 and finally founded the winery and produced their first vintage in 1973. One of the all-time great vintages in California! In 1981, they were joined by the Dewavrin's of Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion, and concentrated on producing cabernet and zinfandel. Like many wineries, Conn Creek "went corporate" in the late 1980's when Stimson Lane purchased the St. Helena property. The winery currently produces Merlot, Cabernet and their Bordeaux blend called "Anthology".
|
|
| Flight I: Merlot and Cabernet Franc |
Votes |
1999 Merlot
All wines in the tasting shared some common characteristics. All had a rich deep red color and high acids. The consensus was that the wines cried out for a steak or a burger. Anything but wimpy it has a beautiful cherry color, clear and bright. Juicy, delicious merlot. A bit of alcohol in the nose. Lush, bold, flavors of plums and vanilla with a long and silky finish. |
0 |
|
1998 Merlot
In general, the 1998s were appreciated for a depth of flavor and concentration. Darker with black cherry fruit. Layers of dark chocolate, blueberries and cassis. Bigger, richer, and smoother because of another year of age. Lean and angular. |
8 |
|
1999 Cabernet Franc
Closed in aromas, but nice weight and structure. Well integrated acids. Notes of white pepper, spice and smoke. Ms. Ginsberg felt that this varietal could withstand the oak better than the merlot and enjoyed the juicy, lively acidity in the wine lifting up all the bold black cherry jammy fruit.
|
6 |
| Flight II: Cabernet Sauvignon |
Votes |
1998
A well balanced wine with good weight and highly extracted. Ripe cherry aromas with notes of anise and plums. Distinctive inviting spice in the nose, as compared to just sweet oak of the previous wines. Ms. Ginsberg noted that the wine is a bigger wine, fuller grapes can integrate the oak and alcohol better than lighter varietals. Green olives and blackberry jaminess. |
3 |
|
1997
A lovely aroma of red fruits with berry and cherry flavors. A juicy wine with a solid structure and a long finish. |
9 |
|
1996
A distinctive aroma of green olives with notes of earth and blackberry jam. Long finish but lacks finesse. Very lean and intense.
|
2 |
| Flight III: Anthology |
Votes |
| In ancient Greek Anthology meant gathering or collecting flowers. Today it is used mainly to mean a literary collection. The winery uses it for this proprietary blend as they feel the wine is a collection of beautiful works: Napa's best Bordeaux red wine grapes. |
|
1998
Deep purply color, soft, easy drinking wine loaded with sweetness, cinnamon, butterscotch and vanilla. Mr. Levine also noted plums and mocha. |
6 |
|
1997
A spicy wine with a dustiness, earth and cedar notes. Deep, thick, viscous, laced with tobacco, and cigar box flavors. One of my two favorites of the flight. |
5 |
|
1996
A bit lighter bodied with nice chocolate tones. Warm with a supple texture and medium finish. |
1 |
|
1995
More fruit and berry flavors, chocolate, vanilla and butterscotch. |
6 |
|
1994
Also lighter bodied, like the 1996, nice, sweet fruit and smooth drinking, quick finish. |
7 |
|
1993
Very minty nose, herbal. Rather dusty, dry wine.
|
1 |
| Top |
