Stefania Fall Pick-up 11/6/10

From Rhys I drove to to Stefania Wines, at the Chaine d'Or Vineyard in Woodside, to join more friends, enjoy a few wines.

'09 Chardonnay Chaine d'Or Vineyard (SCM)
Nose - loquat, pear, good mineral, some cardamon and tarragon.
Unctuous pear and loquat, touch of canned apricot, subtle spice. 90 pts

'08 Haut Tubee (CA)
Nose - warm, spicy, cedary, deep black currant, and a softer boysenberry, with touches of nutmeg and redwood.
Intense black currant with boysenberry and cedar, tart, peppery mouthfeel, soft/dusty tannin. Needs 6+ months. Drink '11-'17. 90 pts

'08 Pinot Noir (SCM)
Nose - lovely savory bay, with deep red fruit, woodsy, nutmeg, just so lovely and complex.
Lovely sappy blackberry, with bay, smoky zest, lovely, savory, complex, good acid. Drink '11-31 94 pts
This is from a 30-ish year old vineyard that I helped the Stefania crew prune that spring. Pruning was the final step of restoration, but frankly, I've had a dozen or so older versions from this vineyard from a few different producers. From this and the Big Basin versions ('08 and '09), I think they got the vineyard is better shape than ever.

'08 Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch (Mendocino)
Nose - nice smoky blackberry, dried savory, nutmeg-y spice, smooth.
Nice dark blackberry and a touch of black currant, smoky, nutmeg-y wood spice, a touch of zest, and the slightest hints of orange and mushroom. Drink '12-'20 92 pts

'06 Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch (Mendocino)
Nose - smooth, lovely, softened boysenberry and cinnamon, supporting peach, bright spice. Really nice!
Lovely blackberry and peach, complemented by cinnamon and other spices. Drink '10-'16+ 93 pts

'08 Cabernet Sauvignon Uvas Creek (SCV)
Nose - Smooth black currant with a touch of resin.
Nice blackberry and black currant, round and fresh, but well framed by dusty/gritty tannins andsupporting spices. Touches of orange and black plum. Drink '10-18. 91 pts

'09 Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains - barrel sample
Nose - smoked ham, trace of sulphur, blackberry.
Smoky roasty blackberry, ham, black plum, gritty tannin, good acid.