Well, wasn't that interesting. Needless to say, a tasting at Tony's is not without highlights. Only if John had given a proper lecture and announcements things maybe wouldn't have gotten out of hand. Thanks to Lori for making the pork, Tony for the potatoes, and Lisa for salad. Who did the veggies I don't know. While whipped cream was involved, I don't think Buzz even noticed the buzz of activity.
Anyway, we saw, we tasted and we conquered the monumental effort of sampling a vertical of Chateau de Beaucastel, one of the landmarks in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. My review is as follows:
1993 - Moving from the developed to the tired stage.
1994 - Ditto for this vintage and was a little flatter on the palate. Five years ago they would have been stunning. A blonde playing to her roots?
1996 - I was behind so I didn't get the wine disappearing in the glass that Tony noted. At best dried fruit and herbal notes that turned into "yucky" as Erik would say.
1997 - This was much better and had a tartness to it that the others did not have.
1999 - Now we are getting good. Liquorice on the nose and palate accompanied by violet, smoke and leather that didn't overpower the wine.
2000 - Better! Woohoo! Deep garnet with a pronounced nose and intensity. Bringing me to a place I want to be. The mindset to go for the whipped cream!
2001 - Wow! As nice as Sarah's ass.
2001 - Giugal - not as nice as you know what.
Chocolate port - something about someone loosing their shirt?
As usual, here are the class notes as taken by the court appointed recorder.
- Do you need mouth to mouth?
- I can do in now or later.
- Would you like one of those"
- Let's start the actualy tasting
- It's not me its Buzz
- No, she's jealous
- I thought better after it
- It will be romantic
- It's all I got
- I can't get past that
- BITCH!
- It's really good
- Rain or shine
- I love the cucumbers
- Is it working?
- Glad you are not
- How did you hook-up?
- I love all three
- Is Alice home?
- Some of the younger ones will be OK!
- Hand it here!
- We are getting started!
- SPOON!?
- I'll make you go all night.
- Tony told me when to take it out
- I'm not always good at that
- Excuse me?
- I think you are ahead.
- Print them, fold them, stick them!
- It's supposed to be that color.
- I feel Happy
- I'm even taking notes
- Didn't say whether I could read them
- We could even hook up a hose
- It's just so close to pulling out
- AHHHH!
- Too much information
- Avocado would have been a great addition
- a little heavy HANDED!
- I'm gasping for breath
- I didn't say that
- I could eat that car
- I know
- Longer than your's!
- Short Pour
- Stop rubbing you nipples
- Save but not rewarding
- Well
- It maybe less
- Which part are you responsible for
- Peel and Stick
- Better to bite you!
The last comment for the evening -
EARTHY BUT SWEET!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
MacArthur's California Barrel Tasting
That's right boys and girls it is that time of the year when it was not about being quiet as a mouse but rushing in when the doors opened for the 2008 California Barrel Tasting. A yearly event not too be missed. Much to my dismay, I noticed that I only tasted samples from about half the 48 wineries that were there. I guess I lost focus was gabbing too much with owners and winemakers. My fun facts for the evening:
1. Kristina Dunn is not engaged or married but has a friendship ring.
2. Rudy Von Strasser was confused when I asked him why he didn't have any 2006 Zin futures. He finally realized that rot set in with a late rain and had to sell the fruit off in bulk.
3. Miner will be making Zinfandel again.
4. Oracle tastes pretty good the day after even with Pizza Hut pizza that Erik ordered.
5. Because I talk to much I didn't get a taste of the Blue Rock Syrah that everyone was talking about.
6. Winemakers don't like Eric Asimov's comments about California Cabs under $50.
7. If you go enough years in a row everybody remembers you.
8. After a couple of hours you pretty much have the flavor profile down of Napa Valley cabernet. I hope its on my blind tasting exam. I will nail it.
Wines I liked in order:
1. Ridge Monte Bello $80
2. Rudd 2006 Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $110
3. Judd's Hill 2006 Cab $42
4. EMH Black Cat 2006 $60
5. Clark-Caudron $60
6. Karl Laurence 2005 Herb Lamb Reserve $100
7. Kobalt $115
8. Regusi 2006 Stag's leap Estate $40
9. Sonador 2006 - They claimed it was their best ever.
Wines I didn't like:
1. Andrew Hill
2. WH Hill
3. Cornerstone Howell Mountain Cab - just too closed for me to tell.
4. Steltzer Reserve Cabernet $75 - also too closed
5. Steltzer Reserve Malbec 2006 $35 - no backbone or depth
6. Ravenswood Pickberry and Merlot - not much of anything on both
7. Madrigal 2006
8. Blue Rock Cabernet 2006
Can't say too much about the Dunn or Von Strasser because I was talking more than thinking about the wine I was trying.
Other interesting wine was the Spencer Roloson La Hederradua Syrah.
At least I got two desserts and an almost full bottle of Oracle out of the deal.
1. Kristina Dunn is not engaged or married but has a friendship ring.
2. Rudy Von Strasser was confused when I asked him why he didn't have any 2006 Zin futures. He finally realized that rot set in with a late rain and had to sell the fruit off in bulk.
3. Miner will be making Zinfandel again.
4. Oracle tastes pretty good the day after even with Pizza Hut pizza that Erik ordered.
5. Because I talk to much I didn't get a taste of the Blue Rock Syrah that everyone was talking about.
6. Winemakers don't like Eric Asimov's comments about California Cabs under $50.
7. If you go enough years in a row everybody remembers you.
8. After a couple of hours you pretty much have the flavor profile down of Napa Valley cabernet. I hope its on my blind tasting exam. I will nail it.
Wines I liked in order:
1. Ridge Monte Bello $80
2. Rudd 2006 Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $110
3. Judd's Hill 2006 Cab $42
4. EMH Black Cat 2006 $60
5. Clark-Caudron $60
6. Karl Laurence 2005 Herb Lamb Reserve $100
7. Kobalt $115
8. Regusi 2006 Stag's leap Estate $40
9. Sonador 2006 - They claimed it was their best ever.
Wines I didn't like:
1. Andrew Hill
2. WH Hill
3. Cornerstone Howell Mountain Cab - just too closed for me to tell.
4. Steltzer Reserve Cabernet $75 - also too closed
5. Steltzer Reserve Malbec 2006 $35 - no backbone or depth
6. Ravenswood Pickberry and Merlot - not much of anything on both
7. Madrigal 2006
8. Blue Rock Cabernet 2006
Can't say too much about the Dunn or Von Strasser because I was talking more than thinking about the wine I was trying.
Other interesting wine was the Spencer Roloson La Hederradua Syrah.
At least I got two desserts and an almost full bottle of Oracle out of the deal.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
London Calling
I an attempt to get folks together that I knew in London I thought it only appropriate to do a tasting of 2000 Bordeaux. Since the UK drinks more of it than anyone and, at least, some us had taken the Chunnel train over to France for the day just to shop for wine it seemed like the perfect excuse to see what was going on with one of those vintages of the century. While all exhibited similar flavor profiles of a Charlton Heston film, firm and ready to shoot the gameness out it, we definitely had favorites in the bunch. While the group in general, had trouble identifying the pencil lead character in some of the wines it did not detract from the overall enjoyment. So, any thoughts from the group?
1. Chateau Haut-Brisson St. Emilion Grand Cru - the first and the favorite of the bunch.
2. Chateau La Mouth du Barry - the most purple of the bunch and possibly the most concentrated.
3. Château Terrey-Gros-Cailloux Saint-Julien Cru Bourgeios
4. Château Beau-Site St.-Estèphe
5. Château de Fonbel St. Emilion Grand Cru - Certainly had the most earthy and barn yard character
6. Kirkland Signature St. Emilion Grand Cru - The surprise of the evening. Well integrated between the earthiness and plum fruit.
7. Château Angelique de Monbousquet - the lightest and should be drunk now which the others could go on for years.
Dinner consisted of a pureed cumin infused white bean soup, duck with while mushrooms and fig sauce for the meat eaters while others had a butternut squash ratatouille, and finished with a chocolate moose cake.
1. Chateau Haut-Brisson St. Emilion Grand Cru - the first and the favorite of the bunch.
2. Chateau La Mouth du Barry - the most purple of the bunch and possibly the most concentrated.
3. Château Terrey-Gros-Cailloux Saint-Julien Cru Bourgeios
4. Château Beau-Site St.-Estèphe
5. Château de Fonbel St. Emilion Grand Cru - Certainly had the most earthy and barn yard character
6. Kirkland Signature St. Emilion Grand Cru - The surprise of the evening. Well integrated between the earthiness and plum fruit.
7. Château Angelique de Monbousquet - the lightest and should be drunk now which the others could go on for years.
Dinner consisted of a pureed cumin infused white bean soup, duck with while mushrooms and fig sauce for the meat eaters while others had a butternut squash ratatouille, and finished with a chocolate moose cake.
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