A Dud and Stud weekend

Let's get the dud out of the way first.

2003 Ch. Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
This is not the estate bottling and I believe it previously was called the Calistoga Cuvee. What a major disappointment. I detected no obvious flaws other than the wine did not appeal to my palate. The tiny bit of muted fruit just laid there with little support from the tannins and acidity sections of the choir. Clipped finish. Perhaps there was some low level TCA think going on that none of us could detect, but as is, this is a definite pass at ~$35.

And now the stud.

2005 Edmunds St John Shell and Bone White, Paso Robles
Viognier and Roussanne blend. Another winner from what is quickly becoming my favorite domestic producers as voted by the contents of my cellar. Honey and stone fruit framed by fragrant spring and summer flowers which added a nice touch to an otherwise cold and dreary Midwestern winter day. Good heft and viscosity. A joy to drink. ~$17

BP

Bill, you are lucky to have access to so many ESJ wines. Not a single one can be found on our shelves in Grand Rapids.

[Jenise]

Re the dud: I wonder how many other semi-knowledgeable wine persons have stumbled over the Montelena at $35ish and thought they'd stumbled over a windfall of the original estate bottling? I did. Got it home and opened it and complained about it too before I figured it out. Almost fell for it again a few weeks ago, though this time I knew what to look for and did before my heart got to beating too fast. Sure is a letdown.