New Years Dinner and Good Wines 12/31/2009

Every year Noelle and her staff at Gervais & Vine work up a private, very nice, almost formal New Years dinner for about 50 people. They spend weeks working on the menu and wine pairings. The staff dress in their Sunday best. Everything is timed perfectly. We always fun.

• 2007 Wild Pig Viognier 88 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc

  Not exactly what I expected, but very much a pleasant surprise. This wine reminds me more of a cross between a Sauvignon Blanc and a Reisling, than a typical Viognier. There is that very floral nose that tells you "Viognier" but there is something else too, kind of a nutty minerality. Dark straw color. Surprising acidity on the taste. The fruit reminds me of an apricot skin, along with some peach and lemon. Not heavy at all, no bitterness, or any of the sometimes annoying aftertaste found with this varietal. Pairs well with food.

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• 2005 Swanson Merlot 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  I am normally a fan of Swanson Merlot, I like the chocolaty finish, which I think is probably a product of medium to heavy toast oak. This wine, in my judgement does not match up with 2004, mostly, because I think there is a hint of VA, on the nose, and especially in the mid palate. If that is the case, then it explains why the wine does not exactly live up to the potential of the deep dark fruit, great color, and expensive oak program. These components seem unable to integrate. There is a ripe fruit smoothness here that hints of a pedigreed vineyard and careful handling. There is a coffee/tea thing that may evolve into a licorice/chocolate thing. I would like to try this again, hopefully decanted.

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• 2005 Zaca Mesa Syrah 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  I find that same diesel and nitrogen deficiency on the nose here that I get on some of those Australian Shiraz' that I don't feel qualified to review. To me this is a flaw. I have been told to give them the benefit of the doubt, and that this is probably the product of some particularly heavy duty acidity. This otherwise is a big dark wine with plenty of fruit, and color. There is some peppery spice, cedar and leather in the background. It is a little light on the mid palate. There is lots here to like, and I will try another bottle, and decant it.

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• 2007 Siduri Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  In a very challenging vintage, Siduri decided not to separate their Oregon grapes into single vineyard designated wines, and make one, value priced wine out of the whole lot. We the the public are the recipient of their largess. We still have the big bold Siduri style, with an abundant floral and fruit display on the nose, if not a little subdued on the palate. More soft and elegant than powerful. The more than adequate fruit is a little on the astringent side. The alcohol is uncharacteristically low. It is all smooth, delicious, balanced and ready to drink.

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