California tasting

California Wine Trading tasting at Tokyo American Club.

Carneros Creek Estate Grown Pinot Noir - this was a bit young, but it was OK.  The Estate Grown is better than their generic Pinot.

1996 St. Supéry Meritage - this was OK.  Nothing special.

I was amazed that they offered the '95 Caymus SS for tasting, and they were already on their 3rd bottle!  Of course I jumped at the chance to taste the wine that got a 97 from Wine Spectator.

1995 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection - hmmm... Not bad at all!  While it was still a little  young, it certainly had a lot of potential!  It was a full-bodied wine.  Tannins were firm and chewy, but nice on the palate.  Long finish.  Complex.  Good amount of fruit in the structure.  Wow.  This would be awesome in another 5 years.

Niebaum Coppola Merlot Diamond Label - not bad at all.  Good effort.

1997 Cuvaison Pinot Noir - this was really wonderful.  It even resembled Syrah a little bit to me.  I guess it's because of the tannins.  Tokyu sells it for JPY 4,000.  Definitely a big buyer of this wine.

Met Suzie Selby who is the winemaker for both Rabbit Ridge and Selby.

Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel OVZ Reserve (vintage forgotten) - definitely a very nice wine, better than Hedin or Olson.

Selby Syrah (vintage forgotten) - this was OK.

Merryvale Chardonnay Starmont (vintage forgotten) - good wine.

Merryvale Profile (vintage forgotten) - good.

Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Jack London (vintage forgotten) - pretty good.