Giant Wine Sale & Tasting 1/21/2012

Starting out the new year tasting, I had to work and missed almost an hour and a half of tasting and had to hurry through only a limited number of reds. We got the chance to compare the 2010 Patricia Green Reserve, alongside the Elk Cove 2009 entry level Pinot Noir. The other reserve taste was the 2008 Simi Landslide Cabernet, which is always a crowd favorite. Wish I could have got there sooner.

• 2009 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  I think one of the best ways to describe this wine is "tangy" On the roof of the mouth there is a vibrant, zesty, acid surrounded, fruit flavor that continues through the finish. The fruit is not over ripe, and they did not over extract. There is a deep floral component along with some nice dark cherry, and oak on the nose. More than typical dark color for a Pinot. The black cherry from the nose is extremely expressive on the palate. There is some peppery spiciness to back up the fruit, along with a small amount of those secondary, non fruit, supporting flavors, like wet leather and mushrooms. Just medium bodied. The acid profile is really sneaky, towards the back of the palate, after it has been covered with fruit. Silky tannis. Noticeable oak that is still working it's way in. Polished, earthy finish that might improve with decanting, or a little more bottle age.

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• 2007 Hazaña Rioja Tradición 87 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  So here we have a Rioja for about $8. Not only is it drinkable, it is actually quite interesting. I would not call it typical. I did not get that graphite, lead pencil flavor that I expected. I did get what could almost be considered a bright, high toned, new world fruit profile. This wine has a personality all it's own. Without being much more than medium bodied, there is some real structure and mouth feel. The color is dense dark red, almost purple. The nose is dark cherry with some interesting rocky earth,and even some wet slate. On the palate the fruit lends toward the red fruit side, cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and currant. You can tell they used some American oak. The fruit breaks down a touch toward the back of the palate, negating what might have been a higher score from the color and nose. Crisp balanced acidity.The oak rounds things out nicely, leaving some vanilla with raspberry and wet leather on the finish.

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• 2010 Notro Bodega INV Sangiovese-Bonarda 87 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Maipú

  In comparison with the 2008 version of this wine, this one is much more vibrant and complete. My suspicion now, in hindsight, leads me to believe the 2008 was a little shop worn, or might have been subject to some questionable storage conditions. This wine has potential. We can easily taste the fresh cherry fruit contribution from the Sangiovese, backed up with some darker richer, blue fruits, and earth tones contributed by the Bonarda. We can just imagine how these grapes absorbed the high altitude sunshine in Mendoza, Argentina. Not complex, but very tasty. Just the right amount of acid. Easy on the palate. Dark fruit finish.

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• 2010 Scagliola Barbera d'Asti Frem 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti

  This is a delightful little wine. Without being heavy on the palate, it brings us some easy drinking fresh fruit flavors and aromas. Nice magenta color. The nose reminds me of fresh crushed cranberry. This just seems to be an early ripened, lightly extracted rendition of red wine. The cranberry and strawberry fruit dances across the palate. The acid is stylish and refreshing. The finish has that vibrant acid with some red fruit. Nice job.

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• 2009 Kermit Lynch Selections Cuvée Sélectionnée 86 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Vaucluse

  I am really torn about what to think about this red wine. By the 86 score, it is obvious it did not blow my skirt up. Kermit Lynch is the utmost respectable wine importer, with universal respect and deserved accolades, but we are committed only to judge what is in the glass in our hand. My first impression was "very European" This is not all bad, but is the introduction to being highly earthy and not very fruity. My second impression was this wine is quite mild, and medium bodied. To my senses, the non fruit flavors and aromas are more prevalent than the fruit. There seems to be a wet rock, shale overwhelming character. Therefor the fruit is not very vibrant, and unable to lead us into these secondary flavors. I can see how some would really like this, and there is a case for this very young wine to be in it's "dumb" stage. The aromas are pretty closed which also supports the young story. Little if any oak influence. Mild tannins. More rocks and stones on the finish. Should try another bottle.

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• 2008 Januik Red Wine 90 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Another really well put together blend of superbly grown and vinified Washington State grapes. The 60% Merlot, supported with 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, and 3% Cabernet Franc is rounded and smooth while maintaining a sharp focus on the red and dark fruits. The extra hours of sunshine in Washington fully ripen the intense dark cherry, red raspberry, and blackberry fruit. There is a nice amount of earthy minerality. The mouth feel is dense and very complete. They did a nice job with the oak that brings out a small amount of that chocolate flavor, with the typical amount of vanilla, and even some lanolin. Silky smooth, well ripened tannins. Ready now, but probably benefit from some bottle age. Wish we could have decanted. The finish is very balanced, heavy duty red and dark fruit with some graphite and leather.

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• 2009 Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Just like their Boom Boom Syrah, this Cabernet could easily be confused with a middle to high tier Australian Cabernet or Shiraz. It has those same super ripe, high toned, hard to describe, and basically alien to my California trained palate, flavors and aromas. I don't think it has the Aussie level of alcohol. This wine is not for everyone, but still is pretty respectable for bringing us something tasty and unique. The roof of the mouth is just coated with rich, heavy duty, caramelized, black cherry fruit. There are some of those over ripe, hard to describe, rich, syrupy, mouth filling non fruit flavors. Has exquisite silky tannins. Balanced? not sure. I think they intend to expose the flavors they like, and don't expect us to drink it if we don't agree. Maybe life needs more of this style of in your face fruity freshness.

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• 2008 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Landslide Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

  This winery, using this vineyard, always seem to bring us something special. There is a distinct, intense concentration of ripe Alexander Valley fruit, and non fruit, flavors and aromas that are always a pure treat to the senses. Rich dark Cabernet color. The nose starts with the requisite hit of big French oak, but also has so much more going. There is that smell of chocolate coated cherries, with raspberry jam, mocha, all the dark fruits, including plum, and some earthy non fruit aromas. As soon as the first sip touches the lips, you get an awesome combination of big, and elegant at the same time. The only way to describe the fruit is; "almost syrupy" in a good way. The dark cherry is amply supported by blue and black fruit, all well integrated and harmonious. Has that hint of chocolate that makes you want to immediately take another sip. The prominent tannins are perfectly ripe. The oak could use some bottle age. Awesome finish that leaves everything from the lips to the timmy covered with chocolate tasting black fruits with just the right amount of those non fruit tastes, like wet leather and road tar.

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