Michael Murry

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)

Old World vs. New World
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, July 16, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2008 Rivetto Langhe Nebbiolo Lirano – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC Clove cigarettes on the nose, with some black licorice and sour cherry mixed in. A nice palate of tobacco, cherry, and licorice, with a pleasant minty finish. (90 Points)

2006 Valle Perdido Malbec – Argentina, Patagonia A huge nose of bittersweet chocolate and coffee bean, with undertones of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. Rich and juicy on the palate, with dark black fruit, mocha, and a nice milk chocolate finish. (90 Points)

2009 Domaine Hippolyte Reverdy Sancerre – France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre Lots of floral a grapefruit notes on the nose, with hints of citrus underneath, and some spice at the end. Grapefruit and citrus, with spice and floral notes in the middle. (89 Points)

2005 Château Le Sartre – France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan Smoked meat and black candy on the nose, with dark fruit underneath, and some dried flowers at the end. Lots of minerality on the palate, along with black fruit, smoked meat, and a little licorice on the finish. (88 Points)

2009 Domaine Denis Carré Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune La Perriére – France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Sweet red fruit on the nose, with some perfume/floral notes and a touch of earth at the end. More earthy on the palate, but it still has the same sweet red fruit and perfume/floral notes. (87 Points)

FLIGHT 2

2006 Ferraton Père & Fils Côte-Rôtie L’Eglantine – France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie Figs and fruitcake on the nose, with some cigar leaves and boysenberry right behind. It ends with some spice and plum. lots of plum on the palate, with some tobacco and raspberry and spice in the middle, and a very good boysenberry finish. (91 Points)

2008 Arietta Quartet – USA, California, Napa Valley Loads of very sweet blueberry and raspberry fruit on the nose, along with small amounts of earth notes, and a little spice. Soft on the palate with loads of fruit. Here the earth and spice flavors are very subdued. (90 Points)

South America vs. North America
Farpointe Cellar
Tasted Saturday, July 09, 2011

FLIGHT 1

2006 Terrazas de Los Andes Cheval des Andes – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba Loads of black fruit on the nose, along with crushed rock, roasted meat, and coffee bean. There’s also a perfume smell towards the end. Earthy and meaty on the palate, with nice cherry and raspberry on the mid-palate, and minerals and coffee at the end. (91 Points)

2009 Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon Felino – Argentina, Mendoza Lots of mocha and earth on the nose, followed by bright berries and cigar leaves. Much fruitier on the palate – mainly boysenberry and blackberry, along with pencil lead and coffee. It finishes with lots of earth. (90 Points)

2006 Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford Lots of spice on the nose, mainly cinnamon and cloves with a touch of white pepper. The fruit in the middle is very jammy, and the finish has just a touch of dirt. Less fruity on the palate, with lots more earth and spice. (90 Points)

2005 John Anthony Vineyards Syrah – USA, California, Napa Valley Ripe berries and chocolate on the nose, with globs of creamy vanilla and tar behind. There’s also some spice and plum at the end. Rich and juicy on the palate, with lots of spice and berry. There’s some green tannins on the mid-palate, but the finish recovers a little with some chocolate flavors. (89 Points)

2009 Pulenta Estate Pinot Gris – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo Peach and floral notes on the nose, with an interesting burnt match and citrus oil aroma underneath. Great acidity on the palate, with more stone and match flavors, followed by citrus and just a touch of peach. (88 Points)