BOB

Just something to drink while everyone arrives.

• 2008 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Freshly mown lawn and lemon on the nose.
  Tangy on the palate with lemon/lime flavors. Nice acidity and fairly fresh. The citric acid was almost too tart though.

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Roasted Shitakes & Creminis with Boursin
- All wines were great with mushrooms and cheese.
Crab Cakes with Pesto Aioli
- Only the Domaine Lalande and Wild Rock were good with the crab cakes.

• 2007 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Nose was very tropical with a lot of papaya notes. Some grapefruit and a touch of cat pee.
  The wine was a bit effervescent, which it definitely shouldn't have been. It made the wine taste yeasty and muted the fruit flavors. It also emphasized the citric acid. An off bottle.

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• 2008 Domaine Lalande (Domaines Grassa) Sauvignon Blanc Côtes de Gascogne

  France, Southwest France, Gascony, Côtes de Gascogne

  Nose had a lot of aromatics (almost Gewurz like). Floral and peach. Granny smith apples. Tropical fruits and a bit of burnt wood.
  Really sharp mineral note on the palate. A touch of tropical fruit. Had a thicker, more coating mouthfeel.
  Definitely being made for the international market. Would have guessed New World, not France.

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• 2008 Wild Rock Sauvignon Blanc 'Elevation'

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Nose is nothing but vanilla extract. It overpowers anything else.
  An almost velvety mouthfeel with nicely balanced acidity. Some tropical fruit and minerals. White pepper finish.
  This has a touch of Viognier and Riesling in the blend. The label doesn't say anything, but this had to see oak.

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Grilled Salmon - Heinen Style
- Paired well with the Ostertag and Baileyana.
Raggedy Roasted Vegetables
- Paired well with the Printhie Chard
Mixed Green Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Goat Cheese Rounds
- Paired well with the Ostertag

• 2005 Domaine Ostertag Pinot Gris Barriques

  France, Alsace

  Nose was somewhat muted with a touch of honey and peach.
  Flavorwise, was getting bitter almond and peaches.
  The wine wasn't giving much, until it was paired with the grilled salmon. The salmon brought some life to the wine, specifically brought a sweet stone fruit finish.

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• 2006 Printhie Chardonnay

  Australia, New South Wales, Central Ranges, Orange

  Quite a minerally nose with notes of underripe apples and almonds.
  Great acidity and a really smooth mouthfeel. Nice tropical fruit flavors and touch of mineral.
  Did not pair well with the salmon, but great with the roasted vegetables.

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• 2006 Baileyana Pinot Noir Grand Firepeak Cuvée Firepeak Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Pretty oaky nose. Cedar and cherries. Nice warm baking spices developed as it opened.
  Tasted the oak more so than I have on past bottles. Raspberry with nice tannin/acid balance. Spicy cherries on the finish.

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Triple Creme St. Andre with Fig Jam
Manchego with Quince Paste
Asiago with Basil & Olive Oil
Chevre Ole
Brownie, Chocolate Marble Cheesecake and the Jim's infamous double-shat Cookie.

• 2005 Trimbach Gewurztraminer

  France, Alsace

  Intense and beautiful nose of pear juice, lychee and honey.
  Let down by the palate though. Very little fruit, but a lot of mouth-drying spice to the point of distraction.
  Not very enjoyable.

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• 2001 Graham Porto Late Bottled Vintage

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Dark, thick, syrupy fruits on the nose. Baked figs and blackberry syrup. Touch of alcohol.
  A bit hot on the palate, but really beautiful flavors of dark berry syrup, sweet blackberry jam and thick fig paste.

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