Border Hopping

1-31-09 Border Hopping at Joan’s…
…with the following wines accompanied by a few combined notes:

1. Principessa Gavia, Gavi, Garantita, 2006 (P) – pear, pineapple, astringent, floral, mineral

2. J Vidal – Fleury, Cotes du Rhone, 2006 (R) – cream soda, viscous, oaked, full-bodied, sweet

3. Chateau Pesquie, Terrasses, Cotes du Ventoux, 2006 (R) – big nose, good fruit, short finish, dark red fruit, earthy, WOW!! Big Attack!!!,

4. Boroli, Quattro Fratelli, Barbera d’Alba, 2006 (P) – fruit, honey, big, body, acid, tannic, earthy, deep w/a Pinot nose, bl currant, mineral, nice mouthfeel

5. Poderi di Luigi Einaudi, Dolce di Dogliani, 2006 (P) – pretty bouquet, big, fruit, dry, dk red and blk fruit, scorched earth, spice, dark, big finish

6. Michele Chiarlo, Le Orme, Barbera D’Asti, 2005 (P) – spice, good fruit, elegant, barnyard, red fruit

7. E. Guigal, Gigondas, 2001 (R) – “Smells like shit!” says Tom. “I’m getting that flavor I so often notice, but can’t identify,” says the other Tom. “That would be Brettanomyces,” says Joan, “a common occurrence in French wines”. Other notes: very barnyard nose, fragrant, a little spice, pie cherry

8. Michele Chiarlo, Le Orme, Barbera D’Asti, 2005 (P) – bright, good spice, florals, lots of body, little barnyard, spicy, fruit, short finish, cranberry, skunky, earthy

9. Saint Cosme, Les Deux Albion, Cotes du Rhone, 2006 (R) – acid, minerals, big fruit, barnyard (Gerry was seriously stuck in the barnyard), dk fruit, dry, cherry, rhubarb

10. Seghesio, Dolcetto d’Alba, 2005 (P) – light, good tannins, long finish, very dk, very fruit forward, but lighter w/acid, fruit, acid, harsh, sowy, dry, raspberry, earthy

11. Le Clos de Caveau, Fruit Sauvage, Vacqueyras, 2004 (R) – silky, good fruit, long finish, fruit-forward, dk cherry, barnyard (Gerry again), fruit, round, vanilla, cherry, sugar, floral

12. Layer Cake, Cotes du Rhone, 2006 (R) – earth, deep fruit tones, young, a little tannic, not much fruit, a little acid?, mineral, approachable, strawberry, tar, fruity, earthy

13. Perrin & Fils, Les Christins, Vacqueyras, 2006 (R) (Taste Off Bonus)

14. Domaine Cote de Lange, Cotes du Rhone, 2006 (R) (Jodi’s and Johns’s)

15. Marchesi Di Gresy, Monte Aribaldo, Dolcetto D’Alba, 2006 (P) (Jodi’s and John’s)