Victor's rooftop Tasting NYC (none corked and non cooked)

The Culprits:

• Lyle Fess
  
• Victor Hong
  
• Chris Rickey
  
• Jamie Kutch
  
• Kristen Green
  
• Hal Drellich
  
• Debra Drellich

The wines were as follows:

• 2002 Saxum Broken Stones

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Big fruit forward. Ripe fruit with over the top oak flavors. Don't bother to serve this wine under 65 degrees. Too much like the usual suspect including Integrity, Shirvington, Amonra, Dead Arm.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1998 Domaine La Millière Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Like a woman wearing Obsession perfume. Over acidic and awash with sweet tannins. Non balanced like a 4th growth Pape.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1998 Brancaia Il Blu Toscana IGT

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Cabernet merlot blend. Pompay in a glass. Volcanic extraction. New world style this wine worked great with the $24 pizza we had delived with shrimp and Porcini mushrooms.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2000 Paternoster Aglianico del Vulture Synthesi

  Italy, Basilicata, Aglianico del Vulture

  Tar - most original wine of the night with great balance. Fruit forward with nice oak characteristics. Again worked great with the pizza. Dark ripe fruit. More traditional than the Bran Caia. Possibly the WOTN

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2000 Raphael Merlot

  USA, New York, Long Island, North Fork

  I brought the wine and served it blind. Victor said like a light Figeac. Chris mentioned that it was like a Bordeaux with a new world oak flavors. Upon revealing this wine many thought it was like an overpriced wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1990 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Langhe Bricco Manzoni

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Too much funk for me. Sour cherries with cedar on the palate. Victors WOTN (as usual as it was the wine he brought) Victor said this is a classic Italain fans wet dream.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Embruix

  Spain, Catalunya, Priorat

  Way over oaked. Needs a few years to fully integrate. Could be a winner but too soon to tell. Nice fruit forward including cherries and blackberry.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2002 Worthy Sophia's Cuvée

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Fruit forward like a petite Paloma. Typical California wine with much spice. Vanilla spice. Little freakish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2001 Karthäuserhof Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Spätlese

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Petrol nose - over the top. Victor said its like being behind a double decker bus in London. Wow. Not for the faint hearted.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No