East Coast Road Trip

Chris found a great deal on flights so we headed back to NJ for a week. The weather was good and we ate and drank our way around the tri-state area.

Tambos did an amazing job of entertaining the crew at his place. We started with a walk around the world trade center. It's a very sobering experience and I was moderately suprised by the number of tourist from all over the world visiting the site. Chris had a private tasting set up by the owner of Las Rambas, a very knowledgeable gal named Natalie, with food pairings of cheese and meats. I don't have much experience with Rioja so this was a great way to expand our horizons. Then we talked around the village, cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, and then jumped into a cab and off to a couple of very cool wine bars. Amazing day.

View from Tambos's apartment


Appetizers to get things started, Greek is always good!


Yummy!


The lineup


The wine

• 2001 Bodegas Muriel Rioja Reserva Vendemia Especial

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  (10/22/2010)

  Solid Rioja with light fruit and medium finish. tannins still present but begining to round off a bit.

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• 2006 Bodegas Protos Ribera del Duero Roble

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (10/22/2010)

  It smells like Mushroom, and Oak.
  It tastes like Cherry, and Plum.
  The body is Light/Medium.
  The wine is textured Narrow.
  The wine finishes Short.

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• 2007 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Monte Real Crianza

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  (10/22/2010)

  cedar and touch of musk nose with reasonable cherry palate with prevalent oak and tannins. nice mouthfeel, full bodied.

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• 2006 Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial Sardon de Duero

  Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León

  (10/22/2010)

  C: magenta
  N: touch of heat
  P: fruit foward with a probably the merlot making a statement
  F: medium but dry finish with tannins and oak

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• 2003 Bienvenida Toro Sito del Palo

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  (10/22/2010)

  N: whiff of maple syrup
  P: BIG in your face wine
  F: Very dry, gripping, with tons of oak.

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We've all been to a friends house for dinner and you say "Hey, this is best blah, blah, blah, I've ever had." What you really mean is it's very good. But the pizzas at the Potenza house are like nothing I've had before, they really are amzaing in not only the freshness but the combinations of flavors. Danny found a '97 merlot in a closet and Mike brought a Brunello that was a gift from a doctor who happens to be a CellarTracker too. Sam brought the Denner, a fan favorite.

Never start a big mean on an empty stomach.


Kids devouring the pizza




An incredible pie, those are eggs on the "Breakfast Pizza" with pesto sauce.

• 1997 Sergio Traverso Merlot Reserva 88 Points

  Chile, Curico Valley, Lontué Valley

  (10/22/2010)

  This bottle was found in the back of a cabinet, lord only knows where it came from. Cork soaked half way through so there was concern voiced by all. fear not, a little brick/tawny color. Faded stewed cherry/plum and earth nose. Fruit still very present with leather tastes. Smooth mouth feel and medium light bodied. Very nice finish.

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• 1995 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  (10/23/2010)

  Tawny brick color. Stewed plum and cherry with hints of straw and barnyard.
  
  Tannins are smooth and the body is light. Acidity shows through via a tart mildly sour initial palate. Medium short well integrated finish.

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• 2007 Denner Syrah 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  (10/23/2010)

  Lots of black olive on the nose. amazing fruit and long finish. Beautiful wine.

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• 2005 Denner Syrah

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  (10/26/2010)

  Very nice long finish. lacking the complexity of 07 but nice just the same.

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Great times had by all.