“Patio” Wine Challenge Blind Tasting

“Patio” Wine Challenge Blind Tasting
July 25, 2009

Thanks to our gracious hosts Meri & Andy, and the twelve other wonderful winebrats who contributed the wines for this BLIND tasting. Just about every wine had at least one vote as the number one wine, so there were no clear mandates, as evidenced by the scores. The best possible score for #1 wine was 14 points, but the best actual score was 77 points. Every wine had something to offer a number of varying palettes. All the wines, except for one happened to be under $15. That said, here was the line-up, starting with highest rated at #1, to lowest, at #17. Tasting notes are not included because we each had a different experience of the wines.

1. Bonterra, S. Blanc 08, Mendocino Cty., $13
2. Bodega Tamari, Torrontes 08, Casablanca Valley, Chile, $11
3. New Age, white (this was a shock to many of us), $10
4. Veramonte, S. Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile, $13
5. Spanish Quarter, Chardonnay/Albarino blend 06, Costers del Segre, Spain, $12
6. The Other, Chardonnay/Viognier blend 07, Lodi, $12
7. Nobilo Icon, S. Blanc 08, Marlborough, NZ, $19-$24
8. Monkey Bay, S. Blanc 08, Marlborough, NZ, $10
9. Pomelo, S. Blanc 07, CA, $10
10. Moscato Asti 08, $14
11. Natura, S. Blanc 08, Casablanca Valley, $10
12. Wine by Joe, Pinot Gris 07, OR, $9
13. Coopers Creek Cat’s Pee on a Gooseberry Bush, S. Blanc 08, NZ, $11
14. Gazela, Vinho Verde, Portugal, $10
15. Charles Krug (Robert Mondavi), S. Blanc 07, Napa Valley, $16
16. Fr. Rose wine (sorry I did not get deetz on this one), $12
17. Dancing Bull, S. Blanc 07, CA, $8

Congrats to Kris and Jim for contributing the group’s best scoring wine.

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)

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Ciao,
J

Gotta Love Those Winebrats!

During my recent visit to the NW, Seattle Winebrats (SWBs) gathered for the occasion and tasted through a dozen old vine wines (same theme as TNTs party a couple of weeks ago). Though there were at least a dozen wines tasted at both parties, not a single wine was duplicated. I tried to find the Tschark, the Milwaukee group’s favorite, to share with the SWBs, but with no luck. Checked four places and the distributor list and learned it’s not being sold in Seattle. I’ll have to ship some to you for your next tasting.

Before getting into the wines, I just have to say how fantastic it was to be reunited with everyone and to share great friendships with wine-lovers in two great cities, Milwaukee, and Seattle. In addition to some great wines, a lot of fantastic food was also shared, thanks to our gourmet cooks in the group. Four stars all around for Leslie’s decadent hand-made ravioli stuffed with chanterelles and drenched in butter with hazel nuts and sage. The same goes for Joy’s chicken adobo, Tammy’s Spanish meatballs, Dmitri’s bruschetta, Karen’s stuffed mushrooms, and Steph’s fig balls. How can I not love these folks?? Thanks again to D&J for hosting at their beautiful place “in the woods.”

Tasting notes in order of tasting (the food and wine stains on my hand-written notes are classic). Eleven tasters scored wines on a four-star system, with 44 points being the highest score. Top three rated wines shown in bold:

1. Lake Sonoma 2005 Old Vine Zin, Saini Farms Dry Creek Valley (Score = 31)
Beautiful new world wine with nice tannins and finish. Perfect with the mushrooms. Very well balanced. $25

2. St. Francis 2005 Old Vine Zin, Sonoma County (36.5)
Dk cherry, fruity, ripe, cocoa, smooth, well-balanced. Not as long a finish as the first wine. Cherry on the nose. Much bolder and more concentrated. 15.5% alc. $20

3. Abacela 2000 Tempranillo, Umpqua Cuvee, Southern OR (24)
This wine doesn’t qualify as old vine, but we scored it any way. Sour cherry. Short finish. Tasted more like pinot noir. 13.6% alc. $20

4. Glaetzer 2005 Bishop Shiraz, Barossa Valley (41)
The favorite of the evening, inky, jammy, big, sweet nose, dk cherry, ripe, marion berry, licorice on the finish. Regular price is $30, but DK got it on sale for $17—EXCELLENT VALUE!! He sent two bottles home with JJ to share with the Milwaukee Winebrats :) Thanks DK! If you go shopping for this, beware the 2006 vintage—DK’s wine guy says it is not as good…

5. Bogle Vineyards 2005 Phantom Old Vine Zin/Mouvedre/Sirah (their spelling), California (29)
Bl cherry, anise. $20

6. Rotllan Torra 2001 Reserve, Priorat, Spain (26.5)
Elder berry, pre-Cambrian chalk (things are possibly beginning to decline), minerally, seems younger than a 2001, pruny, tart, high in acid, earthy, detecting a little Brettanomyces (Brett. for short)*. This wine greatly improved after it had breathed for at least an hour. $24.99

*Bacteria that live in dirty wooden barrels and can infect wine with an unclean, mousey flavor. (It usually reminds me of an old, used, smelly band-aid). An attribute more of old world wines, Americans tend to be more sensitive to this.

7. Gundlach Bundschu 2005 Merlot, Rhine Farm Vineyard, CA (29)
Softens as it opens. $27

8. Root 1 2006 Cab., Colchagua Valley, Chile (29.5)
Smokey, orange. $13

9. Clot de Lloum, 2004, Cotes du Roussillon Villages (somewhere in the Rhone) (28)
Conifer sap notes, Brett., Alpine forest, very concentrated, pine needles, very Fr. in character. $12

10. Luis Canas 2001 Rioja (30)
For some reason, I can’t remember why, this wine garnered a lot of discussion… some notes include: one-dimensional, caramel w/coffee, dusty, hint of chocolate, finish a little short, or, maybe its medium. Hermoso!!?! $31

11. Rincon Vineyard 2002 Pinot Noir, Talley Vineyards, Arroyo Grande, CA (28)
Good…really good… (uhm—I forgot to get the price)

12. Tatrarra 2006 Shiraz, Heathcote, Australia (27.5)
This wine inspired a spontaneous litany of political slurs, the least helpful of which was, “tastes like a hockey Mom!” Other notes: big and bold, too acidic and high tannins, yet someone was able to glean some dk cherry (go figure…) Price unknown.

As the volume of the music increased and the dancing ensued, the quality of the tasting notes was deteriorating precipitously, so the scribe set down her pen…and joined in the fun! I love you guys and gals—see you next year!

The Best of Times

18 fabulous friends, the soulfully-funky sounds of Average White Band at Seattle's best nightclub, Jazz Alley, good food, and great wine made for a happy birthday celebration, one of the best I can remember. Since there's no dance floor at this club (the one drawback), we were forced to take chair-dancing to new heights. With the first note, AWB transported me back to the 70's and 80's with the old-school sounds of Cut the Cake, Work to Do, Pick Up the Pieces, and so many more of those great oldies. It was wonderful to trip down memory lane with everyone who honored me with their presence and filled my life with so much fortune.

It would not be a celebration without lots of good wine, so it was flowing freely throughout the evening. Everything was delicious, but the standouts were two from Andrew Will, a 2006 Sangiovese from the Columbia Valley and another from his Artist Series (I never saw the label and need details from the buyer on this one). We had another good wine later at the Triple Door, but I can't remember the label--can someone who remembers post the information in the comments?

Thanks again to everyone who joined me, and especially to those who shared so generously from their wallets...completely unexpected, but greatly appreciated...you know who you are...

Love,
JJ

Mimosa State of Mind

It was a grey day in the city this past Sunday as the clouds settled in over the southern shores of Lake Michigan. But inside this sweet little spot on Chicago’s north end, we cut the chill and brightened the day as we indulged each other with our stories of triumph and defeat, childhood memories, and determinations for the future. Add the bottomless mimosas and bloody marys and you’ve set the stage for a soul-stirring session of the sisterhood.

This cozy scene was in stark contrast to the day before, hot and sunny, a dozen outdoor music venues filled with the sounds of jazz as the 2nd Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival played itself out. TH and I trolleyed from venue to venue and enjoyed the classic sounds of Fred Anderson, the more contemporary music of the Charlie Johnson Quintet and others. Later, we headed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra facility to enjoy the 12th Annual Day Of Music. TH caught up with Reginald Robinson, and I took in Paulinho Garcia and Greg Fishman, who make up “Two for Brazil.” These free concerts were just an incredible gift to the people and mimicked many similar weekends in one of our fair city’s beautiful parks, full of sun, fun, and music throughout the summer.

This weekend was the perfect ending to the best summer I can remember.

SWB Checks Out Middle Coast!

It was great to have another favorite Seattle Wine Brat (SWB) visiting recently. Though she took over Rain Man’s legacy of bringing down the sky, abundant good times did not elude us. Effects of Hurricane Ike plagued Bay Views two biggest festivals on Saturday but we managed to take advantage of the one break in the rain to enjoy dancing a full set by Beat Nation at the Global Union World Music Festival. It started to rain again just in time for the next band, so we decided it was a good time to find a nearby wine bar. The next morning we hit as many of my favorite places around town as possible before heading back home to finish cooking and set up for the dinner party, which featured Middle Eastern cuisine and wines from all over the world. The MWBs did an excellent job of supplementing the main course dishes and sides with appetizers and salads. As we enjoyed each others good company and conversation, there were many moments of that most exquisite pleasure of making a perfect match between the wine you’re drinking and the food you’re eating. There were some reds that had the old world earthiness that blend so well with the gamier flavors of lamb and the eastern spices that dressed the sides. Others were big, bold, deep, dark fruit reds that are the perfect complement for a hearty, harvest-time meal on a cool, rainy evening. Memorable labels included Coppi Primitivo Riserva 1997, Italy, Arcturus Astrale 2002, Napa, and Midnight Cellars Gemini Reserve Red Wine 2004, Paso Robles.

Those hearty reds were in abundance once again, this time at TNT’s birthday party and wine tasting. The theme was “old vine” or “late harvest” any region or varietal. The “darling” of the evening was by far the Tschark 2006, Barossa Valley, Australia, a blend of tempranillo and graciano. This wine softened as it opened and yielded hints of leather, chocolate, and the slightest bit of dark cherry.

One more wine to mention is Hegarty Chamans 2004, Minervois, France. This blend of carignan, syrah, and grenache is one of the most memorable due to a striking note of mint dominating the palette. My only other experience of that was with a high end Australian blend by Penfolds. To try this one by the glass, head out to Trocadero Café.