Big Brand vs. Boutique

Big Brand vs. Boutique
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, March 27, 2010

Flight 1

2007 Melville Chardonnay Estate (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills) - 91 Points The nose had fresh squeezed orange juice, lemon peel, cream, and a little melon. The palate had a lot of floral notes upfront. It also had lemon, honey, and a very good orange finish.

2008 Stuhlmuller Vineyards Chardonnay Estate Bottled (USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley) - 89 Points The nose had beeswax and honey, peach, and some crushed rock towards the end. The palate had slight buttered popcorn taste on the front-end, but added pear and stone. It finished with a slight honey flavor.

2008 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast) - 88 Points The nose had a heavy dose of cherry, plus some earth, raspberry, and floral notes. The palate was soft, with sour cherry, forest floor, and a tobacco finish.

2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough) - 88 Points The nose had tropical fruit and citrus, a little perfume mixed with cat pee. Crisp and clean, the palate had loads of citrus and stone. It finished with a big hit of grass.

2006 Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley) - 87 Points The nose was very jammy, with blackberry and black currant fruit, spice, and a little chocolate. The palate was very rich, and very tannic. It did have blackberry and black currant, spice, and an espresso finish.

Flight 2

2006 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 90 Points The nose had tea and spice, smoke and blackberry, and a lot of vanilla at the end. The palate was rich and thick, with boysenberry and blackberry, smoke, and a big oak finish.

2007 Philippe Melka Cabernet Sauvignon CJ (USA, California, Napa Valley) - 89 Points The nose had licorice and smoke, black currant and earth. The palate was thick and rich, with black currant and raspberry liqueur, earth, and a licorice finish.