Sammy Plotkin's profile
Sammy Plotkin's latest tasting notes Subscribe
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2005
Rubicon Estate (Niebaum-Coppola) - Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Estate
Opened a few years too early, after fearing I had held it (like others) too long. Still firm tanins, benefitted from 30-45 mins of decanting. Good fruit balance, good finish. Would easily be 93-94 in a few years.
1998
Pepper Bridge - Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla
Quite mellowed with age; tanins near-gone, but great fruit left-over; very easy-drinking; paired perfectly with bacon, steaks, and hearty salads.
1998
Pepper Bridge - Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla
Delicious black cherry and plum; oak note...finish is more elegant than long; what must have been firm, serious tanins have mostly given way over 14 years. My first bottle of theirs - look forward to other vintages/offerings.
2006
D'Arenberg - Shiraz The Dead Arm
Black pepper gives way to earthy mushroom; dark berry preserve type fruit with spice and vanilla notes. I enjoy the big tanins of young wines as much as the next guy, but this demands a few more years.
2007
Tolaini - Valdisanti
Leather and dried flower on the nose; dark fruit with cassis and spice notes...well received by all four diners/drinkers. Agreed that it was well-balanced and approachable now; I thought it had plenty of backbone and one could reap benefits from laying it down a few more years.
