January 25, 2014 – Wines: Bordeaux versus Napa Valley from 2005

 Today I had the opportunity to compare two wines from the same vintage made from substantially similar grapes but grown in different wine-growing regions.  Both wines come from the same vintage, and each vintage produced remarkable wines in each growing region.  The first was a right bank Bordeaux from Saint Emilion while the second was a Cabernet from Rutherford in Napa Valley.  Both wines were truly delicious, but their styles differ substantially.

2005 Chateau Cotes de Baleau Saint Emilion Grand Cru

It turns out that this was the second half-bottle of this wine that I have opened, the first being two years ago.  This wine is composed primarily of Merlot, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in (typical of Saint Emilion).  The nose on this wine was remarkable with a mix of fruit and spice characteristics.  The palette was delicious and balanced, nearly elegant, and restrained in the classic Bordeaux style.  I noted flavors of plum, pencil lead, tobacco, mineral, and black currants.  Checking my notes from two years ago, it would seem that the salty characteristic of this wine has waned and come into balance. 

2005 Chateau Cotes de Baleau Saint Emilion Grand Cru

2005 Bell Cellars Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon

Bell Cellars prides itself on crafting wines in the Bordeaux style.  Unlike the Cotes de Baleau I opened first, this wine is made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes using only the Clone 6 rootstock of the grape.  I remember being impressed by this wine when I tasted it at the winery and thinking it should be cellared for a while.  Today I finally opened my first half-bottle and was quite pleased with this wine.  If you drink this wine without waiting, you may be disappointed – I strongly recommend decanting for 90 minutes.  The nose was great and the palette delightfully balanced.  The distinction between these two wines lies in the wine’s weight on the palette and the presentation of the fruit.  This more substantial wine features beautiful red fruits from the vintage, including cranberry, cherry, red currant, and pomegranate, all balanced nicely by minerals and a hint of pencil lead.

2005 Bell Cellars Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon