Holiday Wines
“Holiday Wines”
This Christmas season was a remarkable time with friends and family and is still going as we will not formally celebrate with my parents until next Sunday to weather and other timing issues. However, so far it been a spectacular time for great wine! The wines we had in 2008 for Christmas were surprising, impressive, and superb! They ranged in age from 6 years to 17 years old.
2001 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Artemis” Cabernet Sauvignon
This was one of the last few bottles of this wine that I have left and right now it is singing! I may finish them off by the end of this year based on how good this wine was. I have to say that it was probably hitting its peak! My notes:
Another classic styled Napa Cabernet – I thoroughly enjoyed this as an alternative to the big ripe jammy Cabernet style that has been in vogue that last few years.
Color: Dark red center with ruby red edges
Nose: Classic cassis, bing cherry and sage aromas
Palate: More of the cassis and cherry, herbal sage and earthy tannins! Silky smooth finish!
Drawn from John’s collection in the cellar, this wine was in fine shape. Dark, fragrant, and supple palate flavors from 16 years of age, this was a delicious wine.
Color: Dark center, purple-red edges
Nose: Fragrances of black berry and dark chocolate, a slight trace of old cedar and fall leaves. The aromas jump form the glass.
Palate: Elegant blackberry and black currants, dark fruits, supple tannins and acidity finish it off. This wine is still concentrated, for being 16 years old. In its early youth I feel this wine would have been very similar to the 2002 Pride Mountain Cabernet (tasting notes further below).
The surprise of the weekend! On the second night of our stay John had said he opened a bottle of this a few months back and it was pretty good. If you are not familiar with Woodbridge, it
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