Michael Murry

Rare Breeds; Less Common Grapes from Lesser-known Regions
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, October 08, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2008 Domaine Tempier Bandol – France, Provence, Bandol Plum and blackberry on the nose, with spice and smoke, and some beef juice at the end. Soft and juicy on the palate, with blackberry and plum, some spice, and very meaty finish. (92 Points)

2007 Tardieu-Laurent Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau Vieilles Vignes – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau Blueberry and cherry on the nose, with pureed figs and spice, and a good licorice finish. Soft and velvety on the palate, with black fruit and spice, earth and licorice, and a great cherry finish. (91 Points)

2004 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette – France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage Very nutty and creamy on the palate, with some stone and floral notes. The palate is creamy and nutty as well, but also adds in some peach on the mid-palate. It finishes with crushed rock and flowers. (91 Points)

2007 Höpler Blaufränkisch – Austria, Burgenland Lots of red fruit on the nose, with some spice and earth at the end. The palate was much the same as the nose and very soft. (87 Points)

2010 Bodega Colome Torrontés – Argentina, Salta, Calchaquies Honey and peach on the nose, with hints of rock, floral notes, and roasted nuts. Minerals and nuts on the palate, with some peach and floral notes.

FLIGHT 2

2001 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Campolongo di Torbe – Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Leather and plum on the nose, with sour cherry and coffee, and a good prune finish. Soft and juicy on the palate, with cherry and leather, coffee and plum, and a good prune finish. (92 Points)

2007 R Wines Chateau Chateau Leaf Turner – Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley Smoke and blueberry on the nose, with cherry and stone, and some spice at the end. Soft and smooth on the palate, with blueberry and spice, and a very rich finish. (90 Points)

2008 La Scolca Gavi – Italy, Piedmont, Gavi Burnt match and roasted nuts on the nose, with some stone and citrus underneath, and floral notes at the end. Lots of citrus fruit on the nose, with rocks and flowers on the mid-palate, and good smoky finish. (88 Points)

Bold Reds & Soft Whites
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, October 01, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2008 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Blueberry and vanilla on the nose, with cherry and spice in the middle, and earth and minerals at the end. Plum and forest floor on the palate, with spice and stone on the mid-palate, and a nice blueberry finish. (92 Points)

2007 Cadaretta Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley Plum and spice on the nose, with red currant and floral notes underneath, and some earth at the end. The palate is rich, with red fruit and spice, some earth and flowers, and a plum finish. (91 Points)

2006 Kanta Riesling Kanta Egon Muller – Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills Crushed rock and spice on the nose, with some lemon zest and honey underneath. Great acidity on the palate, with a heavy dose of minerals supported by lemon and honey. It has a nice clove finish. (90 Points)

2007 Grans-Fassian Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese – Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer Tropical fruit and citrus on the nose, with a good mineral backbone. Lots of honey and pineapple on the palate, with mango and tangerine on the mid-palate. It finishes with good minerality. (88 Points)

2008 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley Smoke and earth on the nose, along with currant jam and spice. It finished with licorice and blackberry. Very tannic on the palate, with lots of black fruit and earth. The nose was good, but the palate was disappointing. (85 Points)

FLIGHT 2

2006 Juslyn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Spring Mountain District – USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District Dirt and flowers on the nose, with pencil lead, blueberry, and blackberry right behind. Much fruitier on the palate, with blue and black fruit, graphite, and a sweet floral finish. (93 Points)

2007 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese – Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer Lots of flowers and fresh herbs on the nose, with some apple and spice on the backend. Sweet and floral on the palate, with apple and citrus on the mid-palate, and a nice herbal finish. (92 Points)

Bargins vs. Big Boys
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, September 17, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2008 Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena Tobacco and cherry on the nose, along with blackberry and spice, and some mocha at the end. Rich and dark on the palate, with black cherry and blackberry, coffee and spice, and a good tobacco finish. (91 Points)

2010 B.R. Cohn Chardonnay – USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros Lemon, toasted oak, and apple on the nose. It also had some minerals and floral notes at the end. Crisp on the palate, with apple and lemon, and a slight hint of oak in the middle. It finished with stone and flowers. (89 Points)

2006 Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve – France, Alsace, Alsace AOC Honey, lemon, and pear on the nose. There’s a slight floral and mineral note at the end. Beeswax and honey on the palate. It also had flowers, stone, and some citrus and pear on the finish. (89 Points)

2009 Jermann Vinnaioli Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT – Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT Peach and lemon on the nose, with cantaloupe and stone underneath. Rich and viscous on the palate, with loads of minerals and citrus. It finishes with melon and a little tropical fruit. (88 Points)

2008 Definitive Pinot Noir – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast Cherry and sandalwood on the nose, plus some earth at the end. Sour cherry and cedar on the palate, with some earth, and a good vanilla finish. (88 Points)

2009 Far Niente Chardonnay – USA, California, Napa Valley Buttered popcorn and apple on the nose, along with apricot and pear, and little minerality at the end. Lots of oak on the palate, which covers up the nice apple, pear and apricot flavors. Fair acidity and a good finish, but not my style. (85 Points)

FLIGHT 2

2006 Juslyn Vineyards Perry’s Blend – USA, California, Napa Valley Coffee and tobacco on the nose, plus black fruit and spice in the middle, and some candied fruit at the end. Rich and thick on the palate, with black and blue fruit, spice, cigar leaves, and a good mocha finish. (91 Points)

2009 DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley* A lot of fruit on the nose, especially cherry, cranberry and rhubarb. The mid-palate adds in some earth, and it finishes with lots of pepper. Cherry and earth on the palate, with cranberry and rhubarb on the mid-palate, and a slightly spicy finish. (91 Points)

Wines of Paul Hobbs
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, September 03, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2008 Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon Bramare – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo Tobacco and milk chocolate on the nose, with cherry and toasted oak underneath. Rich and thick on the palate, with some cherry and chocolate, and some smoke on the finish. (91 Points)

2008 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon CrossBarn – USA, California, Napa Valley Mocha and blackberry on the nose, with some spice and black currant right behind. Spicy on the palate, with loads of black fruit and bittersweet chocolate. (90 Points)

2010 Laird Family Estate Pinot Grigio Cold Creek Ranch – USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros Pineapple and orange on the nose, with tangerine and honey following close behind. It has a tiny bit of floral notes and some minerality, but it’s mainly all fruit. Nice and acidity and lots of tropical fruit on the palate. It finishes with some spicy honey. (88 Points)

2007 Laird Family Estate Chardonnay Cold Creek Ranch – USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros Caramel and vanilla bean on the nose, along with toast and citrus and floral notes. Toasty on the nose, with tropical fruit, spice, and a nice floral finish. (89 Points)

2007 Pulenta Estate Chardonnay VIII – Argentina, Mendoza Tropical and spicy on the nose, with a small amount of vanilla at the end. Much the same on the palate, but with good acidity and a little minerality.

FLIGHT 2

2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros Blueberry and cherry on the nose, with some earth and spice, and some floral notes on the finish. Soft and smooth on the palate, it has lots of cherry and blueberry, some earth and floral notes, and a nice spicy finish. (90 Points)

2006 Pulenta Estate Gran Corte VII Alto Agrelo – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo Cherry and raspberry on the nose, plus some spice and mocha notes. There’s a little earthiness in the middle, and a good stony finish. Soft and juicy on the palate, with earth and spice on the mid-palate, and black fruit and mocha finish. (90 Points)

You be the Critic!
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, August 27, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2005 Villa Creek High Road James Berry Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Spice and dirt on the nose, with some black currant and blackberry in the middle, and some floral notes at the end. Black fruit on the palate, with some spice and dirt on the mid-palate, and a floral finish. (90 Points)

2010 Mohua Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough Grapefruit and pineapple concentrate on the nose, with hints of lemon lychee and grass. The palate was almost the same. Lots of grapefruit and pineapple, some lychee in the mid-palate, and a lot of lemon zest on the finish.

2009 Domaine de Bernier Vin de Pays du Val de Loire – France, Loire Valley, Vin de Pays du Val de Loire Lots of fruit on the nose. Peaches, apricot, pineapple, and citrus. There’s a little stone, plus some floral notes at the end. Crisp and clean on the palate, with pineapple and citrus, some stone on the mid-palate, and a nice citrus finish.

2008 Treana White Central Coast – USA, California, Central Coast Peach and lemon on the nose, with some herbs and fresh ground tea leaves. Rich and thick on the palate, with tea leaves and lemon, and little peach, and a nice herbal finish. (89 Points)

2009 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough Pineapple and pine nuts on the nose, with small amounts of tropical fruit and burnt twigs. Crisp on the palate, with lemon and tropical fruit, toasted nuts, and a nice tropical finish. (87 Points)

FLIGHT 2

2007 Corrina Rayment Shiraz Expatriate Oliver’s Taranga – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale Toast and coffee bean on the nose, earth and graphite, black fruit, and a some floral notes at the end. Soft on the palate, with nice black fruit, earth and pencil lead, and a good toasty finish.

2006 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT Licorice and toast on the nose, with black fruit and spice underneath. Rich and spicy on the nose, with toasted wood and black fruit. The finish is very spicy. (92 Points)

Great BBQ Wines
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, August 20, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2009 Costa De Oro Pinot Noir – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County Strawberry and cherry on the nose, along with spice, and artificial orange flavoring. Earthy and spicy on the palate, with rich berry and citrus notes. (89 Points)

2006 Cristom Syrah Estate – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola – Amity Hills Blackberry and pepper on the nose, with some tar and spice, and a little plum at the end. Rich and juicy on the palate, with loads of pepper, some earth, and a plumy finish. (89 Points)

2008 Soter Vineyards Pinot Noir North Valley – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley Cherry and spice on the nose, plus a little smoke and a little rose oil at the end. The palate had roses and cherry, some spice on the mid-palate, and a good raspberry finish. (88 Points)

2007 Summers Winery Zinfandel Four – Acre Zin – USA, California, Napa Valley A wonderful nose of pepper, bramble, concentrated cherry juice, and earth. Not as good on the palate, but still nice. Cherry and earth, pepper and bramble, and a little spice on the finish. (88 Points)

2007 Santa Ema Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley Tobacco and black currant on the nose, with licorice and plum, and a little spice at the end. Slightly tannic on the palate, but with lots of fruit yo cover it up. Black currant, plum, and cherry upfront, with tobacco and earth in the middle, and some licorice on the finish. (86 Points)

FLIGHT 2

2008 Vineyard 29 Zinfandel Aida Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena Spicy, with lots of berry on the nose. Underneath is earth and flowers, and a little pepper. Berries and pepper on the palate, with earth and flowers on the finish. (90 Points)

2007 B Cellars Blend 24 – USA, California, Napa Valley Lots of berry and cherry on the nose, with some leather at the end. The palate was much the same – lots of fruit and a little leather. (89 Points)

Common vs. Uncommon Varietals
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, August 13, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2009 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Erre punto R. – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Pear and crushed rock on the nose, along with spicy floral notes and a little citrus. Rich and juicy on the palate, with lots of stone and great acidity. The pear and spice appear on the mid-palate, and it has a nice floral finish. (91 Points)

2009 Terredora di Paolo Fiano di Avellino Terre di Dora – Italy, Campania, Fiano di Avellino Apricot and minerals on the nose, with purple flowers and peaches right behind. Rich and spicy on the palate, with stone and ripe apricot, a little peach, and some flowers on the finish. (90 Points)

2009 Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay – USA, California, Napa Valley Pear and almonds on the nose, with some orange peel and honey underneath, followed by tropical fruit and floral notes. The palate is very smoke, with the same orange and pear fruit, and a nice honey-covered almonds finish. (89 Points)

2009 Azienda Agricola Cos Frappato Sicilia IGT – Italy, Sicily, Sicilia IGT Cherry and cedar on the nose, along with dusty floral notes and spice. Slightly sweet on the palate, with sour cherry and mint, some floral notes on the mid-palate, and some cedar on the finish. (88 Points)

2008 Bodegas Nieto Senetiner Bonarda Reserva – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo Vanilla and spice on the nose, with dark black fruit supporting everything. It ends with some floral notes. Rich and juicy on the palate, with black currant and blackberry upfront, with some vanilla and spice underneath. (88 Point)

FLIGHT 2

2007 Dinastía Vivanco Rioja Colección Vivanco Parcelas de Mazuelo – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja Lots of earth and dirt on the nose, with hints of cigar and barnyard. The red fruit comes on in the middle, and it finishes with some stone. The palate has more red fruit, but the earth/barnyard flavors are still there. (90 Points)

2006 Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon Bramare Marchiori Vineyard – Argentina, Mendoza Grilled meat and sweet red fruit on the nose, with some floral notes and damp earth right behind. Lots of fruit on the palate, with a nice earth back note. (90 Points)

Staff Favorites
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, August 06, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2005 Betts & Scholl Hermitage Blanc – France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage Peach and pineapple on the nose, with whipping cream covered apples underneath. At the end was some stone and floral notes. Rich and toasty on the palate, with peach and tropical fruit, and lots of minerality on the finish. (92 Points)

2007 Copain Les Copains James Berry Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Very floral on the nose, with lots of ripe red fruit and milk chocolate. The palate has more fruit than the nose, with the floral notes in the background. It finishes with dark chocolate. (91 Points)

2008 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Côte du Py Vieilles Vignes – France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon Cherry and dusty earth on the nose, with underlying notes of raspberry and red currant. At the end is some crushed rock. Meaty and stony on the palate, it is supported by sour red fruit and some nice earthiness. (90 Points)

2008 Bodegas Borsao Campo de Borja Berola – Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja The nose is all rich, creamy black fruit. The was a tiny bit of mocha behind the fruit, but not much else. The palate is much better. It still has the same rich, creamy, black fruit and the mocha, but it also has some earth and oil notes. (90 Points)

2008 Azienda Agricola Moroder Rosso Conero – Italy, Marche, Rosso Conero Smoky on the nose, with sour cherry and rocks, plus some floral notes. Dark and chalky on the palate, the fruit is not as tart, and there’s a nice powdered chocolate flavor on the finish. (88 Points)

FLIGHT 2

2007 Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled – USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains Creamy and rich on the nose, with red fruit and smoke, and some minerals at the end. The palate has an earthiness that is not on the nose. Cigar mixed with red fruit and espresso. The smoke flavors come on in the mid-palate and it finishes with some stone. (90 Points)

2006 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso – Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Lots of red fruit and floral aromas on the nose. There was also a little minerality. Chalky and stony on the palate, with the red fruit underneath. It finishes with some floral notes. (87 Points)

Bordeaux Varietals
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, July 30, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2008 Casale del Giglio Petit Verdot Lazio IGT – Italy, Latium, Lazio IGT Smoke and stone on the nose, followed by rich, dark, black fruit and a spice. It ends with a touch of earth. Rich and smoky on the palate, with minerals and spice in the mid-palate, and a nice earthy finish. (91 Points)

2007 Farrier Presshouse – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley Blackberry and cigar leaves on the nose, plus some damp earth and plums at the end. Rich and earthy on the palate, with plum, black currant, and some vanilla at the end. (90 Points)

2007 Château Pavie Macquin – France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru Very rich on the nose, with blueberry, blackberry, and black currant. After that that is some minerals, charcoal, and a little spice. There’s a little more earthiness on the palate, but the fruit is still extremely rich. (88 Points)

2007 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain – USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain A very fruit driven nose of blackberry and black currant, with a little stone at the end. Rich dark fruit on the palate, along with some minerals and spice. (88 Points)

2008 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, North Coast, Red Hills Lake County The nose had plum, berry, and spice, but not much else. A little more complex on the palate, but the very rich with fruit. It had plum and raspberry, and finished with some spice. (87 Points)

FLIGHT 2

2008 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley Sweet berries and cherry liqueur on the nose, with a little roasted herbs at the end. The palate is much like the nose, but with the addition of some coffee flavors. (90 Points)

2007 Château Lagrange St. Julien – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien Ben-Gay and cream-covered berries on the nose, with coffee and spice at the end. Much more traditional on the palate, with berries and chocolate, some spice, and a nice mocha finish. (89 Points)

Champagne Varietals
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, July 23, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2008 Rippon Pinot Noir – New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka Floral on the nose, with vanilla beans and cake spice underneath. The fruit comes in towards the end, mainly cherry and raspberry. Much more fruit on the palate, but it tempered by some stone flavors. The spice notes are little less sweet than he nose, and the finish is all dried flowers. (90 Points)

2008 Lioco Pinot Noir Michaud – USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone A big fruity nose, mainly strawberry and cherry, with just a hint of floral notes at the end. The palate is much more stony and floral than it was fruity. The fruit is there, but more so in the mid-palate. It finished with some spice. (89 Points)

NV Taltarni Brut Taché – Australia An interesting nose of cherry bubblegum mixed with flowers and peach. Cherry and peach on the palate, with a little bread on the mid-palate and some floral notes on the finish. (88 Points)

2009 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Willamette Valley – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley The nose is heavy on the perfume, with some cherry and forest floor behind that. It ended with some spice. Spicy on the palate, with restrained notes of cherry and raspberry. It’s a little green on the mid-palate, but the earthy finish is good. (87 Points)

NV Francois Montand Champagne Blanc de Blancs – France, Champagne A little nail polish on the nose, with just the slightest hint of citrus. It’s a bit tight. A little more expressive on the palate, but still pretty tight. It has the nail polish and citrus, plus a little yeast at the end. (84 Points)

FLIGHT 2

NV Godmé Père et Fils Champagne Brut Réserve – France, Champagne Lots of yeast and stone on the nose, with citrus and earth underneath. It ends with a bit of spice. Bright with good acidity on the palate. The yeast and fruit are wonderfully balanced, and it finished with a little spice. (91 Points)

2009 Bergström Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton Smoky oak and dark cherry on the nose, followed by some spice and barnyard. Smoky and earthy on the palate, with lots of oak and cherry in the middle. It finishes with a touch of spice. (91 Points)