Christmas 2007 was the first time we celebrated the season outside of New England in almost 40 years. Christmas Eve was at South Randolph and Christmas dinner was on South Hayes. What follows is a short wrap-up on the wines we had.
Christmas Eve:
Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Sonoma County - The Wine Spectator gave this wine an 89. It clearly was not the favorite. It was almost sweet with the flavor of strawberry and appeared to be aimed at the Gen Y set. I don't know what they meant by fun and festive - a girls night out as Adelya put it so nicely.
Schramsberg Brut Blanc de Noirs North Coast 2004 - This definitely was more of food wine and won the evening hands down. A wine of finese, something not really found in the Carlson household.
Christmas Day:
Domiane Chandon Brut Napa-Sonoma Counties Etoile NV - This was the favorite of the two days. WS said Fuji and I say hints of Gala. I think I'm right. Aaron's two cents was pear and spice of the vanilla.
Christmas Dinner:
Trapiche Vina Carlos Gei Berr Malbec - WOW! Don't taste many malbecs like this. A layered fruit driven wine that may have overwhelmed the beef tenderloin if you can believe it. Clearly a wine that just needed to be sipped. Hints of cranberry that made me think of Christmas.
Paso De Piedra Malbec 2005 Reserva Malbec - This clearly suffered middle child syndrome. Coming after the Trapiche wasn't fair to this wine. A fine example of malbec and all agreed that it complemented the beef rather than the former. Still some left. I'll let you know what the second sip tastes like.
Illaparra 10 Year Old Tawny Barossa - This was a perfect match with the chocolate tart with gingersnap crust and crystallized ginger. Toffee and fruitcake flavors abound in a nicely framed portrait of an Aussie sticky.
1 comment:
Upon further review of the second malbec. It definitely falls in the rustic side of the spectrum. Having leftovers of Christmas dinner really sealed it for me. The Traipache was definitely a modern and falling more towards the Cubism school of art. Bring it on baby.
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