Stoneridge Vineyard, Washington State, USA
80 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Syrah
14.0 % Alcohol
Tasted 2020-04-10, 2020-04-11 & 2020-04-12
Medium ruby red. Currant with some elderberry. Plus lots of spices (clove, a little laurel, a hint of anise). Fresh and animating. A little perfumed.
Very present on the palate without being over-vinified. Complex. At first the youthful freshness dominates, but it quickly gives way to a flowing softness that is almost balsamic. The wine unfolds layer by layer. Fascinating. Definitely a wine for the intellectual wine connoisseur (:-)) who, with a lot of patience, gives the wine the necessary freedom and, above all, time.
Already really nice to drink. Another 10+ years no problem.
Pair this elegant gentleman with a classical Hanger Steak. Orgiastic.
Same on the second and third day, overall, in my opinion, the wine was a little more harmonious. So I would wait another two years before opening.
Sunday, April 12. 2020
2013 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon (91/100)
Central Coast, California, USA
14.8 % Alcohol
Tasted 2020-04-12
Due to the current corona crisis, my wife and I spend a lot more time at home than usual. This means in particular that we also cook a lot more than in "normal" times. To my delight, Teresa decided today to prepare her sensational chilli again after a long time. You have to say that this variant is much closer to the American style and has very little to do with the Chilli Con Carne served in Germany. The chilli is not prepared with minced meat but with chopped Tri Tip. She also uses dark chocolate and a hint of curry. A very sophisticated aroma is guaranteed - and of course requires a suitable wine.
With the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Smith & Hook, I once again opted for a wine from my own wine business. At first I was sure that it would go perfectly with it. However, I was also curious to see how it developed over the years. The last time I tasted the wine was in early 2017.
Clear, medium ruby red. Slightly restrained, but very pleasant aromas of blackberries and black cherry. A touch of leather, ground herbs and wet forest floor. Somewhat closed at the moment.
In contrast, very present on the palate. Exceptionally fresh and fruity with a calm, flowing and surprisingly long finish. Rather quiet, but probably a great food companion.
Indeed, the wine with the chilli shows its full strength. The still present acid combines wonderfully with the hotness of the chilli and ensures a highly complex aroma ensemble. It seems that this shy beauty has been waiting for this moment. The volume in the mouth becomes fuller, the wine stronger. An outstanding wine-food pairing.
Three years earlier, I certified a lifetime until 2024. Today I give the wine another three years. I think it will open up a little more in about two years or so and will present a slightly different flavor. It will still be a perfect companion for slightly spicy food. My rating takes this factor into account.
14.8 % Alcohol
Tasted 2020-04-12
Due to the current corona crisis, my wife and I spend a lot more time at home than usual. This means in particular that we also cook a lot more than in "normal" times. To my delight, Teresa decided today to prepare her sensational chilli again after a long time. You have to say that this variant is much closer to the American style and has very little to do with the Chilli Con Carne served in Germany. The chilli is not prepared with minced meat but with chopped Tri Tip. She also uses dark chocolate and a hint of curry. A very sophisticated aroma is guaranteed - and of course requires a suitable wine.
With the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Smith & Hook, I once again opted for a wine from my own wine business. At first I was sure that it would go perfectly with it. However, I was also curious to see how it developed over the years. The last time I tasted the wine was in early 2017.
Clear, medium ruby red. Slightly restrained, but very pleasant aromas of blackberries and black cherry. A touch of leather, ground herbs and wet forest floor. Somewhat closed at the moment.
In contrast, very present on the palate. Exceptionally fresh and fruity with a calm, flowing and surprisingly long finish. Rather quiet, but probably a great food companion.
Indeed, the wine with the chilli shows its full strength. The still present acid combines wonderfully with the hotness of the chilli and ensures a highly complex aroma ensemble. It seems that this shy beauty has been waiting for this moment. The volume in the mouth becomes fuller, the wine stronger. An outstanding wine-food pairing.
Three years earlier, I certified a lifetime until 2024. Today I give the wine another three years. I think it will open up a little more in about two years or so and will present a slightly different flavor. It will still be a perfect companion for slightly spicy food. My rating takes this factor into account.
Friday, April 3. 2020
2016 Amici Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (94/100)
Napa Valley, California
14.9 % Alcohol
Tasted 2020-04-01, 2020-04-02 & 2020-04-03
Deep, dark cherry red with some brighter rims. Seems to be heavyweight stuff. Intensive and wonderful aromas of forest fruits paired with some black cherry notes. In addition a hint of licorice but also some tar and wet leather. At the very back red rose petals. Complex.
On the palate at the beginning very fruity paired with an animating freshness induced by its youthfulness. The freshness is dominating the first five seconds. After this it is replaced by a little acidic velvety which remains long. Very long.
The Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Amici are not really inexpensive. In total the winery offers eight to nine different Cabs per vintage! This Reserve is the "second cheapest" in the ranking of all these Cabs - and its quality is already tremendous! I would love to taste all others, too . Leave this wine alone for a minimum of three years. Then it will be on peak for another ten to fifteen years.
On the second day the wine was unchanged. But on the third day the acidity was totally gone. Now a floating velvety was clearly dominating. Absolutely delicious.
This is definitely a wine for meat. The third day we paired the Cab with Black Angus Beef Goulash - and it was awesome. But it will also work faboöous with a high-end BBQ. Enjoy it.
14.9 % Alcohol
Tasted 2020-04-01, 2020-04-02 & 2020-04-03
Deep, dark cherry red with some brighter rims. Seems to be heavyweight stuff. Intensive and wonderful aromas of forest fruits paired with some black cherry notes. In addition a hint of licorice but also some tar and wet leather. At the very back red rose petals. Complex.
On the palate at the beginning very fruity paired with an animating freshness induced by its youthfulness. The freshness is dominating the first five seconds. After this it is replaced by a little acidic velvety which remains long. Very long.
The Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Amici are not really inexpensive. In total the winery offers eight to nine different Cabs per vintage! This Reserve is the "second cheapest" in the ranking of all these Cabs - and its quality is already tremendous! I would love to taste all others, too . Leave this wine alone for a minimum of three years. Then it will be on peak for another ten to fifteen years.
On the second day the wine was unchanged. But on the third day the acidity was totally gone. Now a floating velvety was clearly dominating. Absolutely delicious.
This is definitely a wine for meat. The third day we paired the Cab with Black Angus Beef Goulash - and it was awesome. But it will also work faboöous with a high-end BBQ. Enjoy it.
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