Not a virgin anymore - My first dinner at Bern's
Bern's Steakhouse, Tampa, FL
Tasted June 3, 2007 by KenK with 977 views
Introduction
Truly an outstanding event. Food was absoultely great, but secondary to the amazing wine. Thanks to Scott and Gregg for setting this up, our own room and staff. Wine service was fantastic as decanting was done perfectly on que, wine temps perfectly cool, gave us the labels and even offered a tour of the bizzare wine warehouse. Bottle conditions were overall superb as kept at 50 degrees for many years. I found no corked or damaged wine amoung the 14 wines opened on this night. I missed the first day of this event as don't think I could handle two days of pure hedonism. While clearly this was an embrassement of riches, it was an unforgetable experience that I hope to repeat.
Flight 1 (2 notes)
Rich butternut flavors with lean crisp mouth feel. Great balance and persistance.
Fully mature with very slight sherry component adding to complexity. A fine way to start the night.
On the palate, fat and soft, and rich with big white stony character. A dense flavor packed wine with clear breed.
Finishes nice and long with almost a black licorice edge. Probably the best white Rhone I have ever had.
Flight 2 (12 notes)
Glorious perfumed nose bloomed from the glass. Huge aromas of red cherry and strawberry with earthy richness. Classic Burgundy. In the mouth, rich and creamy red fruit flavors coat the mouth. Fresh strawberries on entry turns into rich ripe dark cherries and goes on and on in waves. This great core of fruit is perfectly balanced and integrated. Poetry in a glass. This is a very special wine. I can't believe how much great fruit was there after over 45 years in the bottle. A very memorable bottle and my WOTN. Must say, however, after some time it did lose much of the fruit and lost some of the early pizazz.
Musty, black wet soil nose with some leather and hints of dried black berries.
A bit of lean dried black fruit on the palate, but good overall balance. slight minty finish.
Not ranked higher because middle palate was a touch hollow.
Stinky very odd nose. Not corked or brett. Weird off putting intense blue cheese and dill nose.
Palate comes across similar, best described as blue cheese stuffed green olives coated in molasses.
Very strange wine that I did not like.
Nice dark chocolate nose with dried blackberries and roasted coffee beans.
Palate showed sweet, but slightly fading dark fruit with toasty coffee and spice. Richness was balanced by still lively acidity. Very good finish of dried black fruits that lasted surprisingly long. A very solid wine at this showing
Aromas of earth and dried dark fruits with a touch of smoke.
Nice dark fruit flavors wrapped with black minerals and toast. Very sound and sleek, but a bit monolithic.
Good acid backbone and enjoyable finish, but somewhat angular in that wine is not well integrated.
Nice mouthfeel and density. Quite enjoyable, but not profound. Clearly, not over the hill, but doubt it imporves.
Nice nuanced flavors, but a bit chunky. A very kind gift from Chris.
Closing
I must also thank Chris for guiding me through the night and offering encouragement to attend this feast. Fun to meet fellow wine nuts Joe, Maureen and Jim. If I ever go again must make sure Eric is in charge of the wine service.