| | This was a really fun event with a variety of big reds stretching from Italy to Bordeaux, with a stop in Spain, over to Washington, down to California, and then off to Australia. And don't forget those pesky Germans, the event kicked off with a starter Riesling from there. Outstanding Ribs were the main entree prepared by our grillmaster Gary. - 2007 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Light yellow color, floral nose with pear, peaches, good minerality. Nice body, acidity, balance. A great drinking Kabinett. (90 pts.)
- 2001 Mumm Napa Grande Année - USA, California, Napa Valley
Fresh, lively, balanced all come to mind describing this wine. Nice light straw color. Bursting with pear, apple, and some citrus, with a lovely toasty quality. the palate is so smooth, great acidity, and not a hint of bitterness. The finish is long. This baby is really showing now. Easily 93-94pts. (93 pts.)
- 2004 DFJ Vinhos Alicante Bouschet Grand'Arte - Portugal, Lisboa, Vinho Regional Lisboa
Dark red color, nose is very rustic, earth, cherries. tannins are a bit rough and astringent on the palate. (87 pts.)
- 2003 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc Rosa Mystica - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
Very Dark color. Gorgeous wine with enticing nose of anise, earth dark fruit, cedar, very aromatic. Beautifully balance, elegant, long finish. This is one of the nicest Cab Francs i've ever had. 93-94 pts. (93 pts.)
- 2003 J. Paul Rosilez The Apothecary - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Dark red. Mild earth, a bit of old world funk, cherry pie, spices, good acidity and nice balance. the Sangiovese definitely lends some character to this wine making it quite distinctive and quite enjoyable. 90+pts (90 pts.)
- 2003 Château d'Aiguilhe - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Dark Garnet color, nose is soft with some oak, cassis, and earth. Body is medium light, round tannins. Very easy drinking. Not particularly complex, but a good value. (89 pts.)
- 1996 Château Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Deep red color, no bricking. Great nose, floral, perfumed, lush red fruits, cassis, gravel. Palate is well balanced with sweet, soft tannins, and a lengthy finiish. This wine is drinking beautifully right now. A real treat. Group WOTN. 93pts. (93 pts.)
- 2001 Mas Igneus Priorat Costers de Mas Igneus - Spain, Catalunya, Priorat
Dark red/purple color. Gorgeous nose , black fruits, leather, scortched earth, coffee, meat. This wine has a great palate with depth and character that just keeps revealing layers. Long, long finish. 93+pts. (93 pts.)
- 2000 Domaine les Pallières Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
Dark red. Fairly aromatic nose with spice, earth, cherry, red fruits. Palate is medium bodiedwith fine tannins. Nice wine, holding up well. 90pts. (90 pts.)
- 2002 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Deep garnet red color. Gorgeous wine. Almost a bit opulent. The nose is great, exuding warm spices and bright dark fruits, pepper, hints of oak. The palate is balanced and the tannic structure is well rounded. This went beautifully with the smoke ribs! (92 pts.)
- 2005 Dobbes Family Estate Syrah Grande Assemblage Cuvée - USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley
This wine kind of got lost in the shuffle. Not a bad wine at all. Just not as evocative as the others in the group. Good black fruit, pepper, not real complex,medium depth and decent finish. 88-89 pts. (88 pts.)
- 2003 Casisano-Colombaio Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Deep ruby color. Nose shows earth, leather, a bit of smoke, cherry, blackberry, plum. The palate is medium bodied with soft well integrated tannins and beautifull balance. Medium finish. This is one smooth Brunello! 91-92pts. (91 pts.)
- 2005 Flinders Run Shiraz Southern Flinders Ranges - Australia, South Australia, Far North, Southern Flinders Ranges
Dark purple red color. Nose of black fruits, blackberry, Mulberry, anise, spice, pepper, oak. Palate is full with good tannins and almedium finish. I did get a bit of heat on the nose of this which mostly blew off. Very good with the ribs as well. 92pts. (92 pts.)
- 2004 Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Art Series - Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
Dark red purple. Nose is very nice with cassis, blackberry, light spice, cedar. There is no eucalyptus in this wine at all now, maybe there was before, but this is my second one and i don't see it. Palate is deep and well balanced with well rounded tannins, long finish. 92+pts. (92 pts.)
- 2007 Orin Swift The Prisoner - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red purple. Big fruity nose that oozes out of the glass, black fruits, plum especially, spicy, slightly burnt earth impression. Full bodied, big mouthfeel. Not over the top on the fruit by any means and decent acidity. Good balance. Very good wine with the cab adding some complexity. 91pts. (91 pts.)
- 2005 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
This wine opened up beautifully over an hour decant. On opening it was very tight. Aeration into the decanter improved dramtically, but the hour's time worked magic. I am stunned at the transformation of this wine into a gorgeous Super Tuscan. Dark Garnet Red. The fruit on the nose really blossomed from initially subtle to provocative red fruits with earth, just a hint of funk, no barnyard after the decant (actually, didn't notice any anyway). The palate was medium-full bodied with a depth of cherry flavors, cassis, oak and plum. Very well balanced and a lengthy finish. I really enjoyed this wine. 93pts. (93 pts.)
- 2001 Château Suduiraut - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
This was a spectacular conclusion to an evening of wonderful wine. We drank this with a dessert of fresh peaches and vanilla bean ice cream with a liquor sauce. WOW! What a pairing. The nose on this is floral and aromatic, honey and candied apricots. The sweetness is balanced perfectly by the tart acidity and vibrant fruit on the palate. This is gorgeous. The best Sauternes i have had. 95- 96pts. (95 pts.)
This really was a spectacular night closing with the beautiful Sauternes from Judith. Kudos to all! |
