Dinner at Rick’s
Yet another outstanding evening a Chez Halterman’s… while the wines were outstanding, Mr. Bob Davis’s steak frits and almond cake took the evening.
- 2002 Kistler Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Showing a big, waxy, hazelnut, oak and caramel scented nose, this has subtle baked apple pie aromas that are unfortunately, primarily hiding in the background and never really come out to play. It’s medium to full bodied on the palate and while it possesses rich fruit and a lush, rich texture, it lacks precision and verve. Still, there’s lots to like here and it finishes well and continued to improve with air.(91 pts.) - 2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
This is an enjoyable, ripe wine that shows a big, straightforward nose of candied cherry cola and spice. Well balanced and medium to full bodied, this has impressive fruit and a lush, smooth texture. While it lacks complexity, it’s easy drinking and delicious.(91 pts.) - 1997 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
This is one of those wines that grows on you and it’s not until the second or third sip that you realize how impressive it is. The nose is textbook Sangiovese with cherry, earth, dusty spice and leather aromas all showing up and it has nice complexity that’s framed by beautiful fruit. Medium bodied and just beautifully built, this isn’t a block buster but shows perfect balance, solid structure and lots of silky tannins on the monster finish that goes on and on. Stunning stuff.(95 pts.) - 2003 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Possessing a big, ripe nose of Grenache fruit, raspberry liqueur, graphite, licorice and spice notes, this is a stunning, massively fruited wine that holds everything together with killer balance, structure and an almost elegant, seamless demeanor. It’s full bodied and while there’s considerable structure and tannins, they’re covered by so much fruit that they’re almost hard to find. Despite the size of this wine, it’s just beautifully balanced, seamless and possesses a blockbuster finish.(96+ pts.) - 2005 Azienda Agricola Montevetrano Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT - Italy, Campania, Colli di Salerno IGT
Big, dark and earthy with lots of cab character, this shows nice cassis and blackberry fruit notes that are supported by cedar, lead pencil, tobacco and subtle herbaceous aromas on the nose. The palate is absolutely fantastic and is full bodied and stunningly textured with real depth, weight and killer length! It’s structure, precise and powerful and one of those wines where you don’t want to swallow. I would have scored this higher if not for the herbaceous aromas on the nose but this is a rock star wine on the palate. 92+?(92 pts.) - 2001 Tommaso Bussola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Tb - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Possessing a fantastic nose that is amazingly rich and spice laden, this hides its alcohol well and shows port like aromas of dried fruit, plum, blueberry and spice. The palate is medium to full bodied with impressive sweetness, glycerol and balance and while the midpalate lacked a little fat upon first opening, this continued to flesh out with air, gaining weight and sweetness. This finishes dry and is awesome stuff.(94+ pts.) - 2003 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
This showed a healthy dose of barnyard, horse and funk at first but with air, killer black berry, raspberry, meat and leather aromas round things out to a more acceptable level. The palate is medium bodied with a precise, slightly lean texture, nice balance, rich fruit and a long finish.(91 pts.) - 1999 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Estate - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
The displays nice pinot character to go along with some dark fruit, spice and forest floor aromas… almost burgundian on the nose but not terribly complex. Better in the mouth than the palate, it’s medium to full bodied and with a surprisingly level of fruit; this has a soft texture, expands in the mouth and finishes with nice length.(89 pts.)