Inglenook Estate Cellars

• October 2009

  Greg, thanks for the invite! If Atlanta was a bit closer to NY, I'd jump on ... I've read a bit about the Inglenook Charbonos and would love the opportunity to taste thru the vertical (or near-vertical) that you've accumulated. Will anxiously watch for the tasting notes from the... Read moreGreg, thanks for the invite! If Atlanta was a bit closer to NY, I'd jump on ... I've read a bit about the Inglenook Charbonos and would love the opportunity to taste thru the vertical (or near-vertical) that you've accumulated. Will anxiously watch for the tasting notes from the event. And thanks for the additions to my list. I'll seek these out and also post my notes once I get my tasting of current vintages conducted    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Charbono - Help Me Complete... by chadrich

  
  

• October 2009

  Have had every Inglenook vintage from the mid-'60s to the end of the '70s, and remember them with fondness. Somehow I was able to get them delivered to me over in Tokyo in the early '80s. Here's an interesting article--I particularly like the 'feral child' analogy:... Read moreHave had every Inglenook vintage from the mid-'60s to the end of the '70s, and remember them with fondness. Somehow I was able to get them delivered to me over in Tokyo in the early '80s. Here's an interesting article--I particularly like the 'feral child' analogy: http://www.winebusiness.com/wbm/?go=getArticle&dataId=24770 It's a few years old but has a list of most of the vineyards as of earlier this decade... Also a listing of producers here: http://dobianchi.com/2008/05/09/invincible-charbono-ny-wine-media-guild-tasting/ http://www.dvineonline.com/2007_sept/0907_wineedu.php With some more info/impressions here: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/inglenook-and-charbono-revisited/ http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/04/dining/wine-talk-serendipity-in-the-cellar.html Hey Greg, want to reprise the Charbono Society?    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Charbono - Help Me Complete... by dmcker

  
  

• October 2009

  Well if you are close to NYC and have any interest I am pulling together a ... 1973 and 1974 Guglielmo 1975 Inglenook, 1974,1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1991 Or Something like that! Anyway if you are interested in trying to coordinate our tastings I would be happy to oblige. Now... Read moreWell if you are close to NYC and have any interest I am pulling together a ... 1973 and 1974 Guglielmo 1975 Inglenook, 1974,1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1991 Or Something like that! Anyway if you are interested in trying to coordinate our tastings I would be happy to oblige. Now more to your question, other producers who have, at least recently produced Charbono include: Summers Fife Chameleon and Hess.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Charbono - Help Me Complete... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• October 2009

  A *very* nice gift from your dad! If nothing else you'll get to learn more ... my oldest now being '79s. Inglenook being a disappointment is also not too surprising, by that point in time, though I've had earlier bottles that were quite surprisingly good. You mention an 'average'... Read moreA *very* nice gift from your dad! If nothing else you'll get to learn more ... my oldest now being '79s. Inglenook being a disappointment is also not too surprising, by that point in time, though I've had earlier bottles that were quite surprisingly good. You mention an 'average' of 60 degrees, which seems to connote a bit of a temperature swing for the storage area. That might well contribute to the fact that many of the bottles are past their prime. Was this a cellar, or...? Am curious about the Sterling merlots and the Souverain and Buena Vista cabs. How have you found them? My guess is the merlots haven't aged that well, and the Souverain was never as good as some of the others, while the Haraszathy Buena Vista is a bit of a wild card. How have you found them? It would be good to hear tasting notes and other specifics about the good and bad bottles when you feel like sharing. Enjoy your gift, but as you say you should be drinking them up before too long. Cheers! Now it would be interesting to hear some recommendations from GregDP on food matches for these grizzled bottles... ;-    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic 1974 Vintage: Sonoma and... by dmcker

  
  

• October 2009

  Hello all, I recently got a very sweet present from my father. He informed me ... Private Reserve (2 cases) Inglenook Cab. Napa Cab Sauv 1974 Haraszthy Cellars Buena Vista Sonoma 1974 Cab Sauv Cask 101 Sonoma Vineyards Cab. Sauv. 1974 Souverain Sonoma Cab.... Read moreHello all, I recently got a very sweet present from my father. He informed me ... Private Reserve (2 cases) Inglenook Cab. Napa Cab Sauv 1974 Haraszthy Cellars Buena Vista Sonoma 1974 Cab Sauv Cask 101 Sonoma Vineyards Cab. Sauv. 1974 Souverain Sonoma Cab. Sauv. 1974 Vintage Selection They haven't been moved and have been in relatively consistent conditions for their life, around 60 degrees, plus or minus, do to seasonal temp swings. I've opened a few to test and have gotten very mixed results. A couple were seriously compromised by the cork, and a few had incredible roundness and subtlety. Velvet on the tongue and strong dark fruits and flowers on the nose. I know how unreliable any predictions of how they might drink might be, however, I can guess some of you out there in Snoothland might have some experiences with this particular vintage. I'm guessing they are probably all peaking or past their peak, and don't need any more time in the bottle. I wish he had let me on this 10 years ago. Some might have been in better shape, but only opening the bottles will tell. I've done some online research and most sources have praised this vintage form it's longevity and development. Souverain and BV have been the best bottles opened so far. The Inglenook was less that stellar. No vinegar so far though. :) I'll keep posting the tasting results as I continue the test. Anyone else have some of this vintage in their cellar?    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic 1974 Vintage: Sonoma and... by dddunn

  
  

• Oct 4

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• Oct 4

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  September 2009

  Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Estate Bottled 1982

  Snoothrank:

  Decanted for 30min. Very brownish brick color, very light body. Tobacco on the nose. Cherry and leather on the palette. Nice finish of cherry.

  Wine review by atonalprime

  
  

• August 2009

  Don't forgot all the 19th century wine pioneers in California from Italy. I ... at least Inglenook kept on with its charbono. Plenty of Italian family names to conjure with in the industry there, (from Gallo and Mondavi, to Ferrari-Carrano and, I assume, Franzia, with many, many... Read moreDon't forgot all the 19th century wine pioneers in California from Italy. I ... at least Inglenook kept on with its charbono. Plenty of Italian family names to conjure with in the industry there, (from Gallo and Mondavi, to Ferrari-Carrano and, I assume, Franzia, with many, many in-between), as well as Italianate names for the actual wines (Montebello, etc., etc....)    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Italian varietals in California by dmcker

  
  

• June 2009

  The last bottle I really enjoyed will do it for me. Of course since that was a ... me so far would be the Inglenook, BV Private Reserve or Charles Krug from the same vintage. But for a night like tonight, not actually tonight since I am under the weather, but a night like tonight... Read moreThe last bottle I really enjoyed will do it for me. Of course since that was a ... me so far would be the Inglenook, BV Private Reserve or Charles Krug from the same vintage. But for a night like tonight, not actually tonight since I am under the weather, but a night like tonight most likel a Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc would do the trick    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Best wine ever? by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• June 2009

  Last night was Snooth-a -thon II and we celebrated in style with some classy ... on the market today. 1986 Inglenook Cask Selection - This was very pungent, brothy and evolved on the nose with like flavors in the mouth. Past peak and a victim of mishandling along the way. 1986... Read moreLast night was Snooth-a -thon II and we celebrated in style with some classy ... on the market today. 1986 Inglenook Cask Selection - This was very pungent, brothy and evolved on the nose with like flavors in the mouth. Past peak and a victim of mishandling along the way. 1986 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon - A nice dose as ass leather great the nose but behind it this is very clear and pure with black currants, eucalyptus, and soil tones.  It's dense and chewy in the mouth with solid supporting acidity and tannins that remain slightly chalky. It's got great length and comes off as a particularly sinewy, muscular example of Sonoma Mountain Cabernet that may benefit from another several years in the cellar. 91pts 1986 Rutherford Hill XVS Cabernet Sauvignon - This still has a touch of vanillin on the nose along with black raspberry tones, mint, a hint of stemminess and a touch of wood spice. In the mouth this is incredibly vibrant with a very precise, chiseled feel and lovely rosemary stem tones that help frame the black berry fruits. the tannins are mostly resolved but add support to the fruit giving the wine nice volume in the mouth. A great time to drink this! 91pts After the great 1986's we took a bit of a detour with two wines on their own. 1989 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace - From what is widely regarded as a crappy vintage comes this surprisingly appealing wine that speaks more of Diamond creek than the crappy vintage. Lightly gamy on the nose with some nice iron tones and deeply spicy earth tones that translate to a lean, focused palate presence with lots of leathery tones but nice dark, dried cherry fruit and tea notes as well.  Neither a power house nor a sweetly fruited wine but rather a wine built on Bordelais sensibilities. 89pts 1995 Teldeschi Zinfandel - This provided a real break in the action with it's sweetly fruited nose that retained a bit of nougat and spice from the wood but had great, spicy brambly blackberry fruit. Big, round and plush in the mouth with lots of slightly roasted plummy fruit up front and a great spicy, peppery follow through. Great with my duck breast in port reduction! 90pts The 1995 Teldeschi moved us from the past into the almost present as we now were faced with some big, badass wines that had a lot of evolving to do! 1996 Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon - Much like the 86 this had a wonderful nose with cassis and herb in harmony and gentle backing tones of wood spice and eucalyptus. Big and chewy in the mouth with superbly refreshing acidity that prevented this from becoming ponderous. This seems a touch hot and short at this moment though the wine is packed with fruit and tannin that are very well managed so this should have a long life ahead but tonight it is a touch diffuse. 90pts 1995 Cornerstone Beatty Cabernet Sauvignon - This has a huge chocolate and raspberry nose with tons of backing spice/gingerbread notes and integrated french oak tones.  Rich and polished in the mouth yet at the same time this is restrained and transparent like fine strawberry jelly. Impeccably  well balanced for such a fruit driven wine. Really fabulous modern Cali Cab with mouthfilling sweet patisserie notes and a long, spicy finish with lingering hints of ginger and vanillin. 94pts 1999 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon -  Smoky and deep on the nose with alot of oak showing but lots of muscular, extracted fruit too. This is super TIGHT in the mouth with big structure showing excellent balance but this is all about potential at this point so I'll give it a conservative 90pts with the warning not to touch this for another 5 years at bare minimum! My finale wines of the night were two great vintages of Chateau Montelena which shared such a resemblance that they became quite the topic of conversation! 1990 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- This is just classic Montelena with it's notes of seared black cassis mingled with spiced oak tones and a hint of green anise seed. In the mouth it's smooth and seamless with full, ripe round tannins and gentle hints of tomato leaf and herb framing the deep black fruit tones. Lovely wine and with a bright future. 92pts 1999 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon  - This is very young and still heavily marked by oak on the nose with a fudgy quality that detracts from the rich, jammy fruit. In the mouth this has great balance with good mineral cut on the finish but the wood intrudes here as well offering a bit of bitter tannin on the finale that needs several years to resolve itself. Nothing wrong here just too young. Give this another 5 years or so and it should reveal much better definition to the fruit. 91pts. And that was our night, well most of it anyway. Some of us ventured out into the evening for a few additional drinks where the conversation turned to hiccups, oral indiscretions and hookers but that's a story for another night! I just want to thank everyone who came and contributed to making this another great evening. I had a blast and can't wait to do it again. Well actually give me a few days to recover but I'll be ready soon enough. In fact I have to run now to a business dinner where we'll have to drink 1997 Fontallorro, 1997 Flaccianello, 1996 Oddero Vigna Rionda Barolo, 1996 Pira Marneca Barolo... That one hardworing Gregory Dal Piaz Community Manager Snooth Photos by Brooklynwino - Thanks Steph    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Snooth celebrates with some... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• April 2009

  Nice job Greg, I have an '86 Inglenook to open, It was amazing when I tasted it last summer. Any idea of a start time? I suggest around 6ish, just because I love to start drinking when it is still daylight...hahhahahhahha

  Forum post in the topic Sunday May 31st - Older... by MReff

  
  

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