Dad of vinny
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Joined: 6/3/2008
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So, took the family and some friends up to Orcas Island and manufactured a long weekend. Rented a beach house and my responsibility was to provide the wine. Brought several whites for the ladies and didn't taste much of those except a bottle of White Star.
The reds were:
1998 Terreaus Tempranillo- heavy oaky presence, but still wonderful. Tremendous staying power with big fruit and a hint of cinnamon on the finish. One of the bigger wines we had over the weekend. Found it in the Garagiste warehouse.
2004- Chateau la Couronne St Emilion Grand Cru- Before you all fly to Seattle and flay me alive for opening a 2004 Grand Cru this early, I was a bit dubious of this wine. I found it at Wine Outlet for $17 and am still mystified if someone just put "grand cru" on the label. It was a pleasant Merlot/Cab Franc blend and a good QPR.
We enjoyed these with burgers stuffed with Maytag Bleu Cheese, pasta shells with pesto and a nice green salad.
The next day, we headed into the little town of Eastsound and wandered into Rose's Wine and Cheese shop and cafe. Inside I found 2 Bottles of 1996 and 3 bottles of 1998 Chateau Du Hureau Saumur Champigny Cuvee Lisagathe.
This is my very favorite wine- ever. It is the wine that made me serious about it. It is completely sentimental. I used my rudimentary French to negotiate a great price on some back in 2000 and drank it on the first date with the woman who is now my wife and mother of my daughter. It tastes to me like 91 Dominus or 55 LaTour. To everyone else it gets around 87-90 points.
We popped one of the 98s and it is drinking beautifully. Sour cherries, tons of forest floor and earthiness and everything that makes Loire CF's gorgeous to me and insipid to others.
After that, we had a 2004 Sea Smoke Southing which was the wine of the weekend hands down. Drinking gorgeous with Spice and Cola, and better throughout the bottle with each sip. I always go back to SS as one of the ones worth the hype.
Closing out the night was a 2002 Paul Jasmin Cote Rotie- Another Garagiste warehouse find. This was beautiful, but still too young.
These were drunk with spice rubbed pork ribs, arugula and avocado salad and then later with a spiced beef roast and polenta with green salad.
Last day featured a 2002 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir which was by far the weakest of the weekend. As much as I try, I cannot figure out what the excitement is on Domaine Drouhin. I hear the term "burgundian" and while less fruit froward than other Oregon PN's, it just tastes like a duller version of Oregon than a Burgundy which has made its way to the new world. For the price, one can get better wine. Pleasant enough, but nothing great.
Finally a 2002 Heitz Cellars Cab. Just gorgeous. It was tempting to bring a bottle of Martha's Vineyard as the weekends Grand Cru, but I decided against it and brought the regular estate wine. Showed and tasted wonderfully just like a Napa Cab should- tons of Cassis, Pepper and Spice
These were served with Black Currant seasoned Duck Breasts, wild rice and a mix of Morel and ****take mushrooms.
Great wine weekend overall
Top Level
04 Soutthing
Next Level
98 Chateau du Hureau
02 Heitz Cab
98 Terreaus
Third
02 Cote Rotie
04 Bordeaux
Fourth
02 Domaine Drouhin
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Long Weekend TN's - 
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