$100 Blind Tasting at Scott & Amy’s

Another stellar Twin Cities wine event. Love the blind tastings as they are humbling on guessing the regions of the wines not to mention the grape varietals. As Joe pointed out everyone wanted to bring something that was a bit bolder to stand out as often times an aged Bordeaux might get lost in the shuffle. Here are the results.

CellarTracker! $100 Plus Wines (blind)

• 2008 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Nicolas François – France, Champagne
  Thank you Jason for the beautiful starter Champagne. This is young and plenty left in the tank. Spice, lemon zest, white flowers, apricots, chalk, minerals and apple. Medium plus finish and nice acidity. Super complex and got even better closer to room temperature. (95 pts.)
• 2021 Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon Eastline – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
  New producer for me and outstanding. My second favorite wine in the blind tasting. Menthol, cassis, blueberries, spices, dried flowers, cherry, black licorice and wood. 3 hour decant and outstanding quality. Only 8 barrels produced. (95 pts.)

• 2014 Williamson Wines Interlude Melange – USA, California, North Coast
  Wow was this solid. Thought Bordeaux and impressed this is from California. Cigar, red currants, blueberries, minerals, spice, wood and earth. Close call for 2nd but ended up third for me tonight. (95 pts.)

• 1999 Saddleback Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
  This was drinking well but with the competition didn’t’ finish top 3 but really liked this and lower alcohol at 13.5%. Still has five plus years. Plum, menthol, cranberry, coffee beans and floral notes. Balanced and enjoyable. Decanted 30 minutes which is all it needed. (93 pts.)

• 2016 Williamson Wines Intrigue Melange – USA, California, North Coast
  Not nearly as good as the 14. Solid overall with pepper, leather, dates, earth and wood. A bit pricy for the quality for sure. (90 pts.)

• 2004 Ridge Monte Bello – USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
  Jason does it again. I held off on my top 20 wines of the year and glad I did. Just makes it into the top 20. Blueberries, cherry, plum, spice, wood, menthol, floral and dust. Medium plus finish and outstanding wine. Need to buy some! (96 pts.)

• 2009 Saxum James Berry Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
  Not a fan of this especially at the price. Paso Robles wines are just not my thing but this did not show well at all. Menthol, heavy pepper, sweet fruits and earth. Just not doing it for me. (87 pts.)

• 2010 Croze Cabernet Sauvignon XV Anniversary Cuvée – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
  Fourth favorite wine at this tasting. Menthol, spices, coffee beans, blue currants, mild wood and minerals. A very well made Cabernet from Napa Valley. (94 pts.)