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Empty Nesters for the first time - Open some bottles
Tom & Janet's
Tasted August 23, 2015 by Loren Sonkin with 425 views
Introduction
Our kids went off to college this week, marking the first weekend my wife and I are empty-nesters. Our neighbors knowing that it was a difficult period, offered to have us a few other neighbors over for dinner. Very kind. Everyone brought some wines and it was a great evenings. Janet made a variety of appetizers along with salad, fresh sweet corn, eggplant parmesan, and dessert. Delicious. As for the wines, everything was basically pnp and enjoyed, non-blind and very casually.
Flight 1 (7 notes)
White
2011 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Vermentino Casanova della Spinetta Toscana IGT
87 points
Light gold/green in color. The nose is mineral driven. No fruit. On the palate, it matches the nose. Its refreshing. No fruit left. No complexity. That said, nothing off either. Decent acidity. Worked with food. Still, these need to be drunk much sooner IMO.
White
2012 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard
93 points
This is still young and there is room for a point or more improvement. Light golden in color. The nose has lemons and vanilla. Creamy texture. Nice balance. On the palate, there is more lemon/vanilla cream. There is a nice tight complexity here. Give it a few years for the oak to mellow and integrate and the wine to develop and this will be special. For some though, it is perfect now. It did get some oohs and aahs.
Red
2009 Gaja Barbaresco
93 points
When I saw this being opened I thought it would be tight and shut down. Not. It is surprisingly to me, drinking very well and open. While young, not as young as I might have thought either. Ruby in color. The nose is great with cherries, pomegranates, anise and floral notes. Full bodied. The palate has layers of cherries and sour cherries, with spice and dried flower notes. Nice balance. great with eggplant Parmesan. Delicious and enjoyable.
Red
2001 Castello del Terriccio Lupicaia
95 points
Great showing for this bottle. At age 14 it seems to be entering peak, but in no hurry of going downhill. This is a Bordeaux blend IIRC of mostly Cab, some Merlot and Petit Verdot. The nose is very nice with cassis, anise, cherries and slight dusty cigar box notes. complex and layered complexity on the palate. It unwinds in the glass beautifully. Nice acidity to work with food. Long finish. Just a really great wine at this stage. Don't miss it.
Red
2011 Slant Walk 4 barrels
90 points
Nice showing. This is a more restrained Malbec. Smoother. Some complexity. Easy to drink. Purple in color. The nose has tobacco and black cherries. On the palate, this is juicy with a creamier texture. Nice finish.
Red
2002 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc
91 points
I thought I grabbed the Cab Sauvignon, but took this instead and did not realize it until I noticed the label on the table. IMO, the Cab Sauv is certainly the better wine, but this showed nicely. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries and cassis. Also some brown tobacco. On the palate, this is smooth with some complexity. No noticeable oak at this point. Good acidity. Nice finish. I don't think I would hold on to these too much longer though.
Red
2012 Jaffurs Syrah
91 points
Another great Jaffurs Syrah. This is one of the great QPR's out there. It is still young, but like many 12's, very accessible and delicious. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, slight roasted meats, black olives and black pepper. Juicy black raspberries on the palate. Some complexity as it unwinds in the glass. Nice finish. The best days are still ahead for this but drinking great now.
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Comment
Closing
Thanks to Tom & Janet and everyone for the support and the wine.