Geranium

• February 2010

  Seared Day Boat Scallops Fennel Puree and Blood Orange Beurre Blanc ... With air, subtle floral, geranium petal, and almost saffron-like notes emerge from the glass. On the palate this is rich, ripe, and vibrant, with a salty, mineral note on the backend giving this an... Read more Seared Day Boat Scallops Fennel Puree and Blood Orange Beurre Blanc ... With air, subtle floral, geranium petal, and almost saffron-like notes emerge from the glass. On the palate this is rich, ripe, and vibrant, with a salty, mineral note on the backend giving this an almost margarita like quality. In a good way! To Purchase the 2007 Fume Blanc from the Winery please follow this link    (hide)

  From the article Robert Mondavi Scallop Recipe

  
  

• February 2010

  The Mondavi Story Continues Robert Mondavi heads out on his own ... With air, subtle floral, geranium petal, and almost saffron-like notes emerge from the glass. On the palate this is rich and ripe with softer acids than the 2001 but still very vibrant. It’s... Read more The Mondavi Story Continues Robert Mondavi heads out on his own ... With air, subtle floral, geranium petal, and almost saffron-like notes emerge from the glass. On the palate this is rich and ripe with softer acids than the 2001 but still very vibrant. It’s got a youthful, taut, linear feel to it with excellent intensity of flavor. On the backend a salty, mineral note emerges and gives this an almost margarita-like quality with the blend of citrus fruit and that geranium, vegetal tone. This really needs time to show at its best. 92pts   2007 Mondavi I Block Fume Blanc This is subtly smoky with some geranium stem notes and slightly woodsy tones under a layer of ripe, limey fruit. In the mouth this is rich and perfumed with a very smooth texture that makes it immediately attractive The fruits tend to the tropical with notes of pineapple, citrus and melon, though there are intriguing notes of white peach and green tomato adding depth and complexity. This finishes with a minor mineral flourish and lovely inner mouth perfumes of fresh herbs. 90pts   1995 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon From 3 liter bottle Youthful and tight on the nose with a lovely core of ripe fruit that lays red currant notes over a bed of loamy soil tones and adds classic wood spice notes around the edges. This is classic California Cabernet, quite ripe but retaining the herbal element that gives it such a complex bouquet. On entry this is rich but a bit angular still. The wine has excellent depth and concentration, needing only some time to allow the rich currant fruit to fully emerge. Already there is a lot of fine detail on the palate with a subtle, savory complexity of herbs, roast meat, and boysenberries that emerges on the long finish.  This is delicious. 94pts   2000 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon From 6 liter This starts out a bit shallow on the nose with significant notes of herbs and tea dominating the aromatics. The fruit is there, rather compact, dark and not particularly distinctive. On the palate this offers an attractive blend of toast, gravel dust, light smoke and tomato leaf tones that add complexity to the fruit. It’s a touch lean, but is almost silky with an elegant, refined feel and a nice, crisp finish. 88pts See additional tasting notes on the next page [PAGEBREAK] Wines with dinner. 2008 Mondavi Fume Blanc This offers up plenty of green fruits and grapefruit on the nose with a hint of mineral smoke but is a bit simple. On the palate it’s snappy and fresh with nice acid, but--like the nose--is a bit on the simple side. It’s got nice balance and a decent finish; while serviceable, isn’t very exciting. 86pts   2007 Mondavi Pinot Noir Reserve This really offers up some nice, complex aromatics that start off rather pine foresty with really sweet wood tones that recall coffee cream and marshmallows but gains some depth with a meaty note and accents of sweet pipe tobacco and some dried tomato. On entry, this is sweet, but it quickly turns hard and angular with tough little tannins fighting the small red fruits for your attention. The tannins win on the moderately short finish, which is also a tad hot.This just may need time but is a little disappointing.  86pts   1981 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon From 6 liter This is quite obviously old with notes of carrots and parsnips on the nose that slowly fade into the background, adding a dusty vegetal character to the emergent black currant fruit. On the palate this is fully resolved with a silky feel and complex, layered flavors of sweet fruit, cedar, cigarbox tones and hints of freshly cut grass and roasted coffee beans on the long finish. There is no doubt that this is past prime, even in this large format, but the wine still is captivating, with excellent balance. 90pts   2006 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Young notes on the nose recall coffee cream with a buttery edge over jammy red fruits with hints of herb, leather and a touch of medicinal, cola syrup. On the palate this is balanced with prominent acidity and emerging floral inner mouth perfume. It’s a bit tight on the mid-palate with good extract and a chewy feel, yet this is not particularly rich feeling. There’s a bit of vanilla that peaks out on the moderate finish which is balanced by notes of chocolate, tobacco and cassis fruit. This may very well improve with age as almost every Mondavi Reserve has, but I have some doubts about where this is headed. 88pts   2000 Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis This smells decadent with rich notes of candied almonds, dried apricots, dried citrus fruits, candied grapefruit peel and an herbal top note all jumping from the glass. In the mouth it’s medium rich with a nice sugar/acid balance that keeps it lively. The fruit is supported by the generous acidity and complemented by an almond brittle edge. Real length with apricot fruit and nuanced caramel emerging on the finale. 92pts Two of Mondavi's Best Wines 2000 Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis Priced from $40.00 This smells decadent, with rich notes of candied almonds, dried apricots, dried citrus fruits, candied grapefruit peel and an herbal top note all jumping from the glass. In the mouth the sumptuous fruit is supported by generous acidity and complemented by an almond brittle edge. 1995 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Priced from $59.99 This is classic California Cabernet; quite ripe but retaining the herbal element that gives it such a complex bouquet. Already there is a lot of fine detail on the palate with a subtle, savory complexity of herbs, roast meat, and boysenberries that emerges on the long finish. This is delicious.    (hide)

  From the article The Mondavi Story Continues with Robert

  
  
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  February 2010

  Robert Mondavi Winery Fume Blanc To-Kalon I Block 2007

  Snoothrank:

  This is subtle smoky with some geranium stem notes and slightly woodsy tones under a layer of ripe, limy fruit. In the mouth this is rich and perfumed with a very smooth texture that makes it immediately attractive The fruits tend to the tropical with notes of pineapple, citrus and... Read moreThis is subtle smoky with some geranium stem notes and slightly woodsy tones under a layer of ripe, limy fruit. In the mouth this is rich and perfumed with a very smooth texture that makes it immediately attractive The fruits tend to the tropical with notes of pineapple, citrus and melon, though there are intriguing notes of white peach and green tomato adding depth and complexity. This finishes with a minor mineral flourish and lovely inner mouth perfumes of fresh herbs. 90pts    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  February 2010

  Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc Reserve To-Kalon Vineyard 2007

  Snoothrank:

  In contrast to the 2001 this edition of the To Kalon Sauv Blanc has more ripe ... With air subtle floral, geranium petal, and almost saffron like notes emerge from the glass. On the palate this is rich and ripe with softer acids than the 2001 but still very vibrant. It’s got a... Read moreIn contrast to the 2001 this edition of the To Kalon Sauv Blanc has more ripe ... With air subtle floral, geranium petal, and almost saffron like notes emerge from the glass. On the palate this is rich and ripe with softer acids than the 2001 but still very vibrant. It’s got a youthful, taut linear feel to it with excellent intensity of flavor. On the backend a salty, mineral note emerges and gives this an almost margarita like quality with the blend of citrus fruit and that geranium, vegetal tone. This really needs time to show at its best. 92pt    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  November 2009

  Domaine Romanee Conti la Tache 1978

  Snoothrank:

  Rose to a faint rust coloration, light and see through in glass. Raspberry and Geranium on the nose. IN tense cigar box and rose hips on the palate with an extremely long finish. Slight zingy acidty, but well balanced still after all these years!

  Wine review by englanito

  
  

• October 2009

  The Brilliance of Burlotto I recently had the chance to spend dinner with 4 ... roots and a hint of leafy geranium. The mouthfeel is both transparent and mouthcoating with a hint of bitterness on the mid-palate. The tannins are pretty big but ripe enough that they already begin to... Read moreThe Brilliance of Burlotto I recently had the chance to spend dinner with 4 ... roots and a hint of leafy geranium. The mouthfeel is both transparent and mouthcoating with a hint of bitterness on the mid-palate. The tannins are pretty big but ripe enough that they already begin to melt away on the finish, which is tarry and spiced with floral tones that compliment the dark plummy red fruits. This is better on the nose at this point. 86pts 2007 Burlotto Nebbiolo Fresh and herbal on the nose with a sandy underlay and suggestions of briary wood and wildflowers adding detail. Huge acidity in the mouth is followed by a wave of fruit and perfectly ripe tannins. The midpalate is laced with minerality that adds cut and definition to the wild cherry and watermelon fruit that gains some pomegranate depth on the back end. This finishes strongly with excellent length and an almost salty, mineral finale. 90pts 2005 Burlotto Barolo Aclivi Balsamic on the nose with complex aromas of church candle, bay leaf, chalk and wild berry fruits. Nervous with fine-grained tannins in the mouth that frame slightly spice sweet red fruit notes. The feel is wonderfully fresh in the mouth and strikingly transparent though one could wish for a bit more richness to the fruit.  89pts 2005 Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero Leathery and slightly bretty on the nose with a deep gamy element that contrasts against the sweet dark fruits of the nose Notes of olive brine, mortadella and carnations emerge from the glass with air. Soft and suave in the mouth with a rich core of spiced fruit supported by great acids that keep this taut and tense. Great camphor tinged cherry fruit in the mouth conceals a bed of ripe tannins. A very well balanced 2005. 93pts 2005 Burlotto Barolo Cannubi Deep and dark on the nose with fruit, heather, dried grass and hints of grilled meats, cinnamon and green anise seed adding great detail. In the mouth this is very classic Barolo with clear acids and assertive if polished tannins supporting the slightly leathery, bright amarena cherry tinged fruit. Fine balance and great length but this is really a bit tight at this point 91pts 2006 Burlotto Barolo Aclivi A lovely nose of floral tones with savory hints of oregano, olive oil and sundried tomato. In the mouth his is sapid and round with soft tannins and sweet fruit on the palate with hints of fresh green herbs adding detail. The wine is still very tight but well balanced with strawberry fruits and fine, well proportioned structure.  88-90pts 2006 Burlotto Barolo Cannubi Wonderfully aromatic already with precise raspberry fruit framed by hints of campfire, saffron, baked clay and a slight underbrush tone. In the mouth thios is crystal clear with a lean yet very precise feel to the candied red raspberry flavors. The structure is very finely balanced and the tannins are perfectly ripe leading to a fine, long taut finish. An excellent wine in the making 91-94pts      (hide)

  From the article A dinner with the wines of Burlotto

  
  
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  September 2009

  Langhe Freisa Burlotto 2007

  Snoothrank:

  Lightly smoky on the nose with an exotic boysenberry coulis note that is ... roots and a hint of leafy geranium. The mouthfeel is both transparent and mouthcoating with a hint of bitterness on the mid-palate. The tannins are pretty big but ripe enough that they already begin to melt... Read moreLightly smoky on the nose with an exotic boysenberry coulis note that is ... roots and a hint of leafy geranium. The mouthfeel is both transparent and mouthcoating with a hint of bitterness on the mid-palate. The tannins are pretty big but ripe enough that they already begin to melt away on the finish, which is tarry and spiced with floral tones that compliment the dark plummy red fruits. This is better on the nose at this point. 86pt    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  August 2009

  Zidarich Carso Vitovska 2005

  Snoothrank:

  A lovely nose with notes of pine resin, bologna, white pepper. geranium and a crisp mineral tone. This is fresh and complex. Bright and lively on the palate with an intriguing combination of orange and honeydew tones over a base of cinnamon toast crunch. Attractive if a touch simple.... Read moreA lovely nose with notes of pine resin, bologna, white pepper. geranium and a crisp mineral tone. This is fresh and complex. Bright and lively on the palate with an intriguing combination of orange and honeydew tones over a base of cinnamon toast crunch. Attractive if a touch simple. 88pts    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  June 2009

  Amazon Ranch Viognier Damiano Vineyard Sierra Foothills 2008

  Snoothrank:

  Attractive, clear straw color with some tartrates. Citrus lemon and tropical ... nose with floral aromas of geraniums and lemon verbina. Layers of preserved lemon on the palate with ripe lime, pineapple, mineral, candied green apple and nectarine. Great wine should go well with... Read moreAttractive, clear straw color with some tartrates. Citrus lemon and tropical ... nose with floral aromas of geraniums and lemon verbina. Layers of preserved lemon on the palate with ripe lime, pineapple, mineral, candied green apple and nectarine. Great wine should go well with raw oysters with miynonette, clams, mussels, cheeses, chicken of all types and cracked cra    (hide)

  Wine review by Allan Christensen

  
  
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  May 2009

  Alger Vineyards Petite Sirah 2005

  Snoothrank:

  Plummy and spicy on the nose with a laid back yet fruit driven quality. A bit ... Develops a distinct floral/geranium tone. A very interesting throwback style of wine, very well done 90pt

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

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