Monthly WTF wine group tasting. This month’s theme was chardonnay from any region or vintage. Nice eclectic bunch!
I am aware of the relationship between Odette and Plumpjack, and while I don’t know the differences in their reserve Chardonnay winemaking, this Odette is (for my taste) incredibly superior to the Plumpjack version. Modern Cali chard with a touch of restraint (I think there is some stainless used here). Aromatically it shows ripe stone fruits, melon and clove, while the palate is quite viscous with melon, lemon cream, Powdered lemon bar, and lemon oil. Lots to like here. Thanks @Jidhin R . — 5 years ago
More fruit than funk. This one was not at the very front or back of a lineup consisting of a 2012 Plumpjack, 2005 Cayuse En Cerise, 2013 Sleight of hand Psychedelic, 2009 Alban Reva, 2007 Bevan Bob's Cuvee Dry Stack Syrah, and a 2015 Montagu Hyde. Would definitely enjoy again if someone else was buying. I was very surprised to find a lot fruit still here. The cellartracker drink by window seems to have expired a couple of years ago, yet I did not really get many tertiary notes out of this wine at all. A lot of dark fruit here. Ripe blackberry, boysenberry, hint of earthy grit to the middle and finish. Still seemed to finish with a little bit of resolving tannin. The finish definitely has rounded off. Enjoyed quite a bit, yet if you have this in your cellar I would start opening! — 6 years ago
2021 vintage. So tasted alongside sister property Cade (and Plumpjack) Howell Mountain Cab. If I weren't so familiar with the Cade HM, woulda sworn this was mountain fruit. This is the leanest, dirtiest SLD effort I've ever had spanning a multiplicity of SLD producers since the 1986 vintage. It's got the underlying structure of Stags Leap District but none of the top layer of richness. It all got scraped off and you are just left with the steak-no sizzle. Comes courtesy of the old old Steltzer property (hadn't heard that winery name in decades and it was the durtiest in SLD!) and the new powers that be turbo-charged it and turned shizz up to 11. Fascinating and phenomenal. Light-medium body and has the color but packs an unexpected Barolo-styled punch. Not your average SLD bear. Watch out for Mr. Ringer...err...Ranger. 10.30.24. — 22 days ago
Thanks for the recommendation @Ron R ! This is fantastic. The nose is kirsch, tobacco, and cigar box cedar. The nose really surprised me. Great mouthfeel, supple but not simple like some Merlots. Chocolate covered cherries with some raspberry. Where have you been all my life Pride Merlot? Seeking out Plumpjack next Ron. — 3 years ago
Finally getting around to posting Day 5 in Napa, our final day. 5 years in a row visiting...hope to make it 6 next year!
First stop was Odette. They pour Cade and Plumpjack wines as they are sister wineries.
This Cade SB was a bit underwhelming, honestly. Grassy and lemon aromatics with a quite tart lime dominant note on the palate. These may be better with a year or two to sit as this seemed really young. — 6 years ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2022 vintage. Medium body. I swear at one point, this smelled like 1978 new Cadillac Eldorado interior leather seats. Oh, when those hitherto buried scents come a calling…11.20.24. — 15 hours ago