The winebrats were all together for the art museum’s annual wine festival on the lakefront under hot, sunny, blue skies. The first taste of the day was Domaine Wachau Gruner Veltliner, light and crisp, it was the perfect cooler. That was by far my favorite white wine, closely followed by Redwood Creek 2007 Chardonnay, also light and refreshing, with some appliness.
Despite the searing heat, I forced myself on to the reds, and it was well worth it. I got to know some new labels for a number of old favorites. My friends and I were charmed by two PKNT Carmeneres from Chile, one of them a Reserve. Both were delicious with good solid structure, fruit, and a hint of red pepper. The other Carmenere was Casa Silva Reserve, a little drier than the PKNT and offering more spice. There were also three wonderful Malbecs, Jean Bousquet, Alamos, and Catena.
By late afternoon as the sun began to sink toward the horizon, we were surrounded by a swarm of low flying dragon flies. I haven’t seen these wonderful creatures in such great numbers in decades. I was wondering if we just happened be along their migration route, or were they attracted by the wine aromas wafting through the air? I won’t have time to research this, so please post a comment if you know the answer.
Of the major labels offering consistently good wine year after year, Michael David Winery really stands out. They poured six wines and all were excellent. In addition to the usual suspects, they poured one that was new to me called Petite Petit, a blend of Petite Syrah and Petit Verdot. This was highly concentrated black fruit and spice with lots of structure. Other notables included Mondavi’s Solaire Cabernet and Private Selection Pinot Noir. A number of us also enjoyed the Penfold’s Bin 128 Kalimna Shiraz—no surprises from this Australian mainstay.
I was only able to taste a small fraction of the over 200 wines that were offered, but managed to find a number of really good values of those I did have a chance to try. Most of these wines were priced at a discount from $5 - $22. Even though the prices are low, the quality is not. I tried many others that were good or so-so, but these are the wines I’d buy repeatedly to enjoy myself and to share with friends. For more information about the festival, visit http://www.milwaukeewinefestival.com/.
Cheers!
Despite the searing heat, I forced myself on to the reds, and it was well worth it. I got to know some new labels for a number of old favorites. My friends and I were charmed by two PKNT Carmeneres from Chile, one of them a Reserve. Both were delicious with good solid structure, fruit, and a hint of red pepper. The other Carmenere was Casa Silva Reserve, a little drier than the PKNT and offering more spice. There were also three wonderful Malbecs, Jean Bousquet, Alamos, and Catena.
By late afternoon as the sun began to sink toward the horizon, we were surrounded by a swarm of low flying dragon flies. I haven’t seen these wonderful creatures in such great numbers in decades. I was wondering if we just happened be along their migration route, or were they attracted by the wine aromas wafting through the air? I won’t have time to research this, so please post a comment if you know the answer.
Of the major labels offering consistently good wine year after year, Michael David Winery really stands out. They poured six wines and all were excellent. In addition to the usual suspects, they poured one that was new to me called Petite Petit, a blend of Petite Syrah and Petit Verdot. This was highly concentrated black fruit and spice with lots of structure. Other notables included Mondavi’s Solaire Cabernet and Private Selection Pinot Noir. A number of us also enjoyed the Penfold’s Bin 128 Kalimna Shiraz—no surprises from this Australian mainstay.
I was only able to taste a small fraction of the over 200 wines that were offered, but managed to find a number of really good values of those I did have a chance to try. Most of these wines were priced at a discount from $5 - $22. Even though the prices are low, the quality is not. I tried many others that were good or so-so, but these are the wines I’d buy repeatedly to enjoy myself and to share with friends. For more information about the festival, visit http://www.milwaukeewinefestival.com/.
Cheers!
