Bottle Shock screening

The Bottle Shock movie was a bit of a disappointment. The plotline was nonsensical, the character motivations - shallow at best, the descriptions of wine aimed for romantic and poetic, and came off as lofty and ridiculous. Moreover the movie intermingled highly specific and accurate details (e.g. the fact that Ch. Montelena used Limousin oak) with gigantic and nonsensical factual aberrations (e.g. the complete absence of head vintner Mike Grgich, and the reversal of Bo's and Jim's locations during the Paris Tasting). It was gratifying to see, as a wine lover, but I can't imagine a non-wino sitting through it.

Plastic cups.

• 2004 Yalumba Mourvedre-Grenache-Shiraz Hand-Picked 83 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa

  A fruit bomb, but I give it credit for being a good one.
  
  N: Ripe/overripe fruit, strawberry (grenache), pepper (Syrah?), faint barnyard, vanilla tones (moderately heavy oak?).
  P: good bright acidity - seems a bit fake. Skittles rainbow. No tannins. A pretty well-balanced, drinkable fruit bomb. Not my style. $25

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With SubD, AGryger, Paul, Gary, MSitom, and others.

• 2006 Hacienda Araucano (Lurton) Pinot Noir 79 Points

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley

  med- color - fine for pinot.
  
  the nose is weak, vaguely earthy, with a faint suggestion of brett. In the mouth it is unimpressive, dull-flavored, brightly acidic and round. Unoffensive.

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• 2004 Norfolk Rise Shiraz Archers Guild 79 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Mt. Benson

  Tasted at the afterparty for the Bottle Shock screening.
  
  I don't know whether it's the archer's guild or the other wine - I just recall it being a norfolk rise, 2004, from S. Aus.
  
  N: Fruity, overripe fruit, cherry, pmegranate. Pretty strong brett.
  P: med fruit, med body, med+ acid (maybe fake - tastes "blue"), no tannins to speak off. Overall: meh.

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• 2007 Steltzner Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Allison 79 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Red Hills Lake County

  Virtually clear in the glass, the nose of this wine just isn't that delicious for me with its grass, hint of dirt, faint poop, touch of lime, bit of melon, and trace of brown rice. In the mouth it has med/med+ acid, some unripe papaya on the midpalate, and a light body. Ok.

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• 2007 Mountain View Vintners Chardonnay 80 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey

  Tasted at the afterparty for the Bottle Shock screening.
  
  Light straw in the glass, this wine has a fresh, clean nose of lemon, pineapple, and hints of canteloupe. In the mouth it has med viscosity, a smooth, rich feeling, low acid on the midpalate but med+ acid on the finish, med+ body, med-sweetness. Slightly off-dry. Simple and clean.

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• 2001 Tenute Sella Lessona 85 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Lessona

  Tasted at the afterparty for the Bottle Shock screening, brought by A.Gryger.
  
  Med- garned with some brick/orange on the rim, this wine has typical coloration for a nebb. (it also contains another grape...I forget). Smelling the nose I immediately regretted every single "chocolate" descriptor I've used in a tasting note, because this smells EXACTLY like an 85% Valrhona bar. I'm smelling one now, and thinking of the wine. Yes the wine had some cherries underneath, but the valrhona was so strong that if I had a glass of the chocolate right next to the wine, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. Slight hint of cassis in the Valrhona also shows in the wine. In the mouth it is light and relatively simple. Med- body, smooth, with low+ tannins and med- acid. Pleasant, balanced, not super-concentrated, easy to drink. A great wine to end the night on. Paired well with roast beef and baked potato skins.

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A very fun night, with some great people. Gary strongly suggested a personal tape recorder for larger tastings.