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 . — 6 years ago
This wine is very forgettable. There was some fruit on the nose, but more of a muted presence. Perhaps a little too old? Bottle variation? Whatever it is, this one was in last place in a lineup of 2012 Plumpjack, 2005 Cayuse En Cerise, 2013 Sleight of hand Psychedelic, 2009 Alban Reva, 2001 Dutschke Semmler, and a 2015 Montagu Hyde. Died immediately when paired with braised pork. Did have some velvety black fruit character throughout but it had nothing exciting to contribute. Didn't even wake up with salty kettle chips. I would like to try a newer offering perhaps? — 7 years ago

Nose: white flowers. Hint tropical
Palate: some toasted oak. Tart apple. Green apple.
2/3 Carneros 1/3 st Helena — 8 months 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. — 7 years ago
I love this Merlot! — 2 months 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. — 4 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! — 7 years ago
Tom Garland
1 hour decant(decent fine/cloudy sediment). A wonderful dark magenta color. On the nose: mellow notes of dark black/blue fruit, pencil shavings, smoked meat, pine, tobacco leaf. Taste: silky wine with blackberry, currants, graphite, earth, and a spiced mineral-mocha medium plus slightly astringent finish. YUM! — 12 days ago