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Event - Family - Nephew T.

San Diego, CA

Tasted June 15, 2013 - June 16, 2013 by Wine Gent with 406 views

Introduction

Tasting event of 9 wines with Nephew T.

Day 1 - The Estate - 2 wines (bottles) with 6 meats, 8 cheeses, 2 fruits, and 3 breads / crackers.

Day 2 - Vin de Syrah tasting parlor - 7 wines (glasses) with 3 meats, 4 cheeses, 1 mustard, 1 jam, 1 honey, 1 panini, 1 bread.

New food discoveries - Couscous brand coconut Gouda cheese (Australia), truffle honey, Catwolts brand herb cheese.

Flight 1 - The Estate (2 notes)

White
2010 Rutherford Hill Chardonnay USA, California, Napa Valley
90 points
Bouquet Lemon, pear, smokey (slight). $21 / bottle.

Day 1 - taste lemon, metallic, grass (second part of glass), almond, vanilla, oak, butter (minimal). moderate finish. Good food pairings are sharp white cheddar cheese, rosemary ham with Dijon mustard. Initially rated 88 a non-buy, but on the cusp.

Day 2 (two days later) - the wine opened up even more and had more sweet flavor, with a much more pleasant floral and butter middle and finish. Increased rating to 90 and buy, based on day 2 experience.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2007 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
90 points
Bouquet cherry, earthy. Taste blackberry, cherry, plum, raisin, green vegetable (with pepper salami), sweet (with Dijon mustard), moderate finish. Nice Rhone with balance, solid and soft finish, goes well with variety of meats and cheeses, so it exudes some versatility.

Flight 2 - Vin de Syrah - Big & Bold (2 notes)

Red
2010 Terra d'Oro Winery Zinfandel USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
90 points
Bouquet berry. Taste berry, cherry, plum. Texture chewy. Good pairing with Calabrese salami (sweet, honey flavors). Tasted at Vin de Syrah parlor in San Diego, CA.
Red
2010 Graffigna Malbec Argentina, San Juan, Tulum Valley
88 points
Bouquet vegetable (artichoke or asparagus?), soft earth. Taste simple, sweet (with spicy Calabrese salami), bitter (with coconut Gouda ), flattens out with cheddar cheese. long soft smooth finish. May be better to drink without food, or allow to age longer for food pairings. May buy a bottle and age For another year or two. Tasted at Vin de Syrah parlor in San Diego, CA.

Flight 3 - Vin de Syrah - Anything But Chardonnay (ABC) (3 notes)

White
2012 Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc Grand Selection Chile, Rapel Valley
90 points
Not a white wine fan, but this was a pleasant surprise! Will buy a bottle or two. Bouquet apple, lemon, honey. Taste apple, honey, sweet, buttery finish (with prosciutto), spicy sweet (with coconut Gouda ), long finish. Texture creamy. Nice light balance, solid but soft finish. A very nice refreshing taste experience. Tasted at Vin de Syrah parlor in San Diego, CA.
White
2012 Simonsig Chenin Blanc South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
85 points
Bouquet mineral, gasoline (?), earthy African terroir (Giraffes, Hippos, Elephants, etc.), apples, apricots. Taste apple, tangy, (honey, vanilla, orange flavors with Dijon mustard), sweet (with cheddar cheese ), moderate finish that gradually develops into a long finish as glass progresses. Tasted at Vin de Syrah parlor in San Diego, CA.
White
2012 Laird Family Estate Pinot Grigio Cold Creek Ranch USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
85 points
Bouquet grapefruit, grass. Taste simple, nutty backend. All pairings overwhelm this wine - it may require very light and unassuming foods, or may require some aging. Other wines available are more worth the time to try - suggest passing on this one. Tasted at Vin de Syrah parlor in San Diego, CA.

Flight 4 - Vin de Syrah - Tobin James Syrah (1 note)

Red
2009 Tobin James Syrah USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
91 points
Bouquet jammy, berry. Taste is an initial smack in the mouth with berry, then some mocha and vanilla, with a long finish. Texture chewy. Good pairing with regular and spicy salami, coconut gouda, sharp cheddar, and herb cheese. Tasted at Vin de Syrah parlor in San Diego, CA.
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