New York Wine Experience

Well, its been a couple of weeks since the big show and I'd like to give you a feel for atmosphere and wine along with a couple of discoveries I made. Having to navigate two floors at the Marriott in Times Square was daunting enough but all those great wines in one place made it appear to be impossible to enjoy in one night! Luckly, Tara was there to provide the openning move - Champagnes of course because there was an immediate scrum around the the first growth Bordeux - all of whom were pouring the less than successful 2002 vintage.

The important lessons were as follows:
1. It was really easy to determine which our favorites were Grand Dame and Annee. The others in my opinion weren't up to the task. The Dom Perignon was the most disappointing of the lot.
2. If you want to eat you needed to go upstairs and try not to dump over you 97 Monte Bello.
3. The 2002 Margaux was very similar to the 1999. Thanks to John to making it possible for me know that.
4. What were they thinking when they brought 2003 Barolos? They were awful tannic monsters that had no business being opened and poured.
5. Craggy Range - who recommended that?
6. Kristina Dunn of Dunn Vineyards is a saint for patiently putting up with Tom in 8th floor bar after the event and what the heck was she doing having a martini?
7. I would have never believed the 8th floor bar in Times Square could have held so many Red Sox fans all look of doom on their faces. Should have never doubted them.

Now to the reviews which were done in the bar while watching the Red Sox.

Achaval-Ferrer: Tough to determine after the ports.
Bacio Divino: Don't remember anything about the wine but the guy pouring looked uncomfortable in the jacket and tie he bought for the event. I told him he was easy to spot as someone out of their element.
BV Georges de Latour - interesting but tannic. had elements of pervious vintages I've tasted.
Bollinger: FANTASTIC!
Pia Cesare: Too tough!
Concha y Toro Don Melchor: Yuk - I don't know what that problem was. Maybe I just don't like cab from Chile.
Craggy Range: Not good - funky, not in a good way.
Domaine Alfred: Lovely pinot. I need some of this.
Dominus: Didn't strike me down.
Dow's 1994: Fabulous.
Graham's 1997: Fabulous .
Guigal Chateau d'Ampius 2003: Another baby killer but nothing like the wines at Tony's.
Harlan Estate: Smooth as silk and probably my #1 of the evening.
Chateau Haut-Brion: Did not like at all!
Heitz: You call that cabernet? Yuk.
Paul Hobbs Pinot: Very nice to outstanding. They apologized for not having some of their wines from Argentina.
Krug: Tara was spot on with the tangerine. Not my style.