Pacific Rim wines

Perfect, relaxed location to have Pacific Rim wines--a mixture of excellent seafood and grilled meats. But the theme was specific--not just ANY Pacific Rim wine . . . The extreme's . . . From the northern extreme - Washington and Oregon - to the southern extreme - Australia and New Zealand.

Had this with fresh muffin pan baked bread. The yeastiness of the bread really accented the wine.

• 1996 Galah Sparkling Shiraz 89 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

  Interesting very dark red color with aromas of ripe red raspberries and some menthol. But, then this was followed by refined tannins, and a fairly smooth finish--a bit strange--expected it to be sweeter. Hints of cedar and oak on the finish rounded off the initial tasting. The grapes were dry grown, from low yielding vines, with the average vine age of 70 years, with half of the vines planted in 1893. Aged in oak for 5 years, then refermented in bottle. After 2 hours of sitting, the wine was not as pleasant—drink soon. 87-91

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Started with a brie fondue (which sort of shocked me in a good way--I did not know what the cheese was, and did not expect brie), Ahi Tuna Nachos (very rare with a nice glaze and a hint of wasabi), Home Smoked Salmon (“Seattle style,” with an awesome caper dill aioli) and my favorite, Wood Grilled Oysters with garlic butter and toasted parmesan cheese--I think I managed to eat almost a plate by myself.

• 2004 Omaka Springs Sauvignon Blanc 87 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Interesting nose of lychee fruit mixed with bell pepper and asparagus—smell and flavor a residue of stems? Hints of lemon present, but wine was very green on the palate. 10% Semillon added. 87-88

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• 2004 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 87 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Pleasing wine, with nice citrus notes, but still much less of the grapefruit flavors I am used to in a NZ SB. I still think it is worth the extra money to purchase the Te Koko, which is outstanding.

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• 2004 Te Whare Ra Sauvignon Blanc 88 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Nice acidity—this wine really reminded me of the 2004 Cloudy Bay SB, which was tasted side by side. From one of the oldest wineries in Marlborough, which lends me to believe that this and Cloudy Bay may be more representative of what SB in New Zealand originally was like. Before many of the new wineries popped up, where their SBs are more dominated by grapefruit citrus notes. 87-89

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• 2004 Te Whare Ra Gewürztraminer 92 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

  Really did not know what to expect from this--pale yellow in color, and really smelled like a Alsatian Gewürztraminer. Flavors exploded on the palate, with hints of semi-ripe pineapple and spice, followed by a dry, creamy finish. After a few hours in the glass, very floral aromas were still present. Find this wine. 90-93

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Had an Ahi Tuna Salad with rare seared Ahi, greens, cucumber, tomato, red onion and a house vinaigrette that was phenomenal. Still worked on the white wine, but ended my salad with a very special Pinot.

• 2003 Ribbon Ridge Winery Pinot Noir Ridgecrest Vineyards 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

  Everyone around the table had a revelation: “Oh, this is Harry’s wine.” I had no idea what that meant until I tried it—nose of red raspberries and red currants with a hint of vanilla. Incredible deep red color, which was supported by the myriad of flavors encompassing more red fruit with black raspberries mixed in. Smooth, and the alcohol (15.9%) was not overwhelming at all. I'm now a fan of Harry Peterson-Nedry. 90-94

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Had the Steak & Cake--an 8oz. filet, crab cake (jumbo lump, about 99% crab and only 1% other stuff--awesome), bérnaise, demiglace. Served with large wood grilled asparagus with a hint of vinaigrette. Managed to sneak a number of extra crispy fries in as well--great fries!

• 2002 Alpha Domus The Aviator 90 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  After the initial sniff, I really thought this wine reminded me of a 1997 Insignia, soon after release. Nice red fruit aromas supported by hints of oak and vanilla, followed by somewhat muted flavors of red raspberries and black currant. Still fairly tannic and young. However, interesting enough, hints of green vegetable aromas presented themselves after about 1.5 hours in glass, but the background of vanilla and oak still remained, yet the fruit was even more muted. This confused me a bit. The Aviator is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 18% Malbec. 88-92

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• 2000 Glen Fiona Syrah Bacchus Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Somewhat muted fruit flavors of red raspberries and cherries on the nose, with a bit of a floral characteristic. This was followed by flavors of red and black cherries with a hint of green bean and smooth tannins on the finish. After about 1.5 hours in glass, the wine opened up more, and the aromas of deep red cherry became ever more distinct--this raised my overall impression of the wine. 86-90

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• 1995 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E & E Black Pepper 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  This wine started with great aromas of deep red fruit and oak with a hint of vanilla—very contemporary and enjoyable. Still seemed fairly young with strong tannins, red raspberry flavors and a lingering finish. This wine could use a bit more time in bottle. 90-93

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• 2001 Clarendon Hills Syrah Hickinbotham 94 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon

  Powerful wine, with amazing aromas of black raspberries and Black Tartarian cherries from Brentwood, CA. This wine hit me right in the face, but in a refined way—like a beautiful woman who slaps you because she misunderstood what you had just whispered in her ear (disclaimer: not speaking from past experience). Initial tasting was after being decanted for almost 2 hours. Finished with more deep fruit and a hint of vanilla. Tasted alongside the 02 Brookman Vineyards—after an hour in glass, the Hickinbotham was a bit more muted, in a regal sort of way. 91-95

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• 2002 Clarendon Hills Syrah Brookman 95 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon

  After almost 2 hours in a decanter, this wine initially screamed red cherries on the nose, similar, yet somewhat more refined, in comparison to the 01 Hickinbotham that was tasted alongside. After an additional hour in glass, more of a black cherry flavor was present, but the wine maintained its incredible lingering finish. Made me decide against dessert, which was a good thing. 92-96

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No Dessert. Just more wine.