I've been furiously trying to make space (it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it...) for new acquisitions in the cellar. I uncorked two different domestic Sangiovese, one from Alexander Valley and one from Walla Walla. The 2005 Venom Rattlesnake Hill Sangiovese from Seghesio had dusty red cherry and a touch of earth on the nose and good concentration on the palate with balancing acidity and a medium finish.
While the 2006 Leonetti Walla Walla Sangiovese had muted red cherry balanced with earth on the nose and a pleasing palate flow and medium long finish.
I also uncorked a pair of Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. Though 2000 wasn't a great year for CA Cabs, the 2000 Whitehall Lane Reserve still had concentrated dark red fruit on the nose and a full rich palate and long finish. It just didn't distinguish itself from other Cabs but it was good none the less.
The 2002 Whitehall Lane Reserve Cab was from a "Classic" WS vintage (93 points overall vintage) but it was a strange wine to say the least. It had a muted nose with subdued red fruit but the palate was alive with sweet, ripe red fruit - almost like a combo of Zinfandel, Syrah and Barbera. But definitely not Cab-like at all. Hen desu nee...
Finally, I uncorked a bottle of 2005 Prince of Hearts from Blankiet. It's their 2nd label that's primarily Merlot based. It had a nose of ripe red cherries, vanilla and sweet oak and had an initial burst of fruit concentration on the palate which quickly dropped off in midpalate that led to a medium short finish.
There's more to come as I still haven't created enough space for the new acquisitions...
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