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Vintage Imports Tasting
World Cafe Live, Philadelphia
Tasted September 18, 2013 by lifeattable with 642 views
Introduction
This was a trade tasting for the company Vintage Imports. Held at World Cafe Live in Philly. Nice venue, lots of producers.
Flight 1 (23 notes)
Red
White
2012 Trisaetum Dry Riesling Coast Range Estate
88 points
If you are looking for a truly dry Riesling, this is not it. Still, I liked it quite a bit - about the sweetness level of a Kabinett. Good acidity. Interestingly, I tried this before some Germans and thought it was good, but it didn't really stand up to the great Mosels.
White
2011 Nik Weis / St. Urbans-Hof Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett
95 points
Tasted this in a lineup of other St Urban's Hof and it clearly stood out as the best. In fact, it might be the best Riesling I've had. Explosive apple flavor really hits its stride in the mid-palate, and the slate and crackling acidity is a perfect finale. Amazing.
White
2012 Nik Weis / St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Estate Old Vines
91 points
A step up from the entry level Urban wine, featuring a better balance of acidity to the up front sweetness. Solid stuff.
White - Off-dry
2011 Nik Weis / St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese
93 points
Outstanding Stuff. Sweet, but good acidity to back it up.
Red
2010 St. Pauls Lagrein Alto Adige - Südtirol Gries
Tight nose, palate features rich red and dark fruits, plus big notes of chocolate and cocoa. Bitter tannins may need a touch of time to resolve; at least some air in the decanter and some hearty food. Good stuff.
Red
2010 Adelsheim Syrah Calkins Lane Vineyard
Incredibly pure and clean Syrah. Cool climate magic featuring bright purple fruits, flowers. I normally like my Syrah to have some gaminess, which this did not have, but it was so delicious I didn't really care.
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Red
2010 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley
Easy to see why these guys have developed a reputation for Merlot. Smooth, oaky, balanced. Not a style I love but hard to dislike.
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White
2012 Cantine Povero Roero Arneis Canale
92 points
Explosive freshness. Crisp fruit flavors including peach, citrus and maybe some pear. Acidity carries the day. The perfect summer wine?
Red
2008 Neal Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Well made Napa Cab. Not really to my style, but hard to dislike.
Red
2009 Orion Wines Aglianico Rocca del Dragone Campania IGT
Very new worldish. Probably a good intro to Aglianico for those who are Cali red drinkers, but not really for those of us who know and love it.
Red
2009 Sette Vigne
Interesting story for sure - seven noble grapes from seven different regions of Italy, all in equal portions: Corvina, Primitivo, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Aglianico, Sangiovese. The sum isn't really better than the parts though - just kinda tastes like a modern, new world red wine.
White
2012 Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford
Nice balance of round juiciness and crisp acidity. Lots o' grapefruit. Nice.
White
2011 Frog's Leap Chardonnay
Very nutty, with some toasty oak spice. Pretty good balance of new worldliness and acidity. I don't know that I'd ever buy this (I don't drink much Cali Chard and this isn't going to change that), but I'm not going to complain if someone pours me a glass.
Red
2011 Frog's Leap Merlot
Very nice Napa Merlot, showing some savory notes already on the nose, smooth and clean on the palate.
Red
1995 Frog's Leap Merlot
Fun-ky. Not much fruit left, but still loads of pleasure to be had. Tastes like an aged Bordeaux for sure, leaving Cali behind long ago. Probably on the decline so drink up.
Red
2010 Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
I must say I prefer the Merlot, but this is still well-made. Good balance of oak and fruit, some peppers on the nose. Could use a few years.
Red
Red
White
2012 Rivetto Langhe Nascetta Bianco Matiré
Very interesting wine... never before tasted this grape. Rich, full and ripe - probably would have guessed southern Italy. Notes of almond.