February 1, 2009

Riesling: der Koenig

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I used to drink Rieslings (German ones) every chance I could as I was in love with their complex mix of floral and mineral character.  Then I decided that perhaps I was getting too predictable or was limiting myself so I went a long time (maybe 6 months) without drinking a quality Riesling.  Well, that changed a couple nights ago when I broke down and opened a 2005 Gerhard Riesling Spaetlese Halbtrocken from the Rheingau region….

Once again, I recognize Reisling as “der Koenig” (the King) of grapes (my opinion).  It was tremendously good.  I fell in love again with that complexity: so floral, good fruit, but so minerally too.  Chemical on the nose (perhaps one of the things I like most is the seeming contrast between the nose and the flavor).

Anyway, I believe I’ll have a hard time restraining myself from this favorite-of-mine varietal for very long in the future :)

 

February 1, 2009

2006 Four Vines “Biker” Zinfandel

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Tasting Date: 1/31/2009
My Rating: very good (90)
Price: $20
Grape: Zinfandel
Region: Paso Robles, California
Appearance: clear, deep, ruby
Nose: clean, pronounced, super!  earthy (fr. oak ?), black currant, blueberry, “warm”
Palate

  • Sweetness: dry
  • Tannins: low
  • Acidity: low (?)  tasted in restaurant and didn’t really pay attention, but definitely not enough acidity to *get* my attention
  • Body: full
  • Flavors: blueberry, cooked raspberry (?), touch of smoke, touch of mineral
  • Length: long

Known Good Food Pairings:
Anticipated Good Food Pairings:something with fennel/anise, mushroom risotto

Notes: very good.  unctuous. great fruit but none of that cloying “maple syrup” thing that many Zins have.  15% alcohol.

 

December 11, 2008

2004 Charles Koehly Vin d’Alsace Pinot Blanc

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Tasting Date: 12/08/2008
My Rating: good (89)
Price: $22
Grape: Pinot Blanc
Region: Alsace, France
Appearance: clear, medium-, yellow with hint toward green
Nose: clean, pronounced, floral, melon, green apple, pear
Palate

  • Sweetness: dry
  • Tannins: none
  • Acidity: medium
  • Body: medium-
  • Flavors: pear, spicy, apple
  • Length: long

Known Good Food Pairings: scalloped potatoes/ham
Notes: Very spicy.  A little too spicy to simply drink but worked really well with the scalloped potatoes, which brought out the fruit in the wine.  Reminded me of Alsatian Gewurztraminers but seemed a little “harsher” than them.

 

December 6, 2008

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Vintage Ratings

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Vintage ratings for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

(from Wine Spectator)

2007: 84-87 (Rain produced light, delicate wines at best; others weak)

2006: 92 (Ripe flavors, but fruit character tastes fresh, not dried)

2005: 93 (Like in 2004, wines are superbly balanced)

2004: 94 (Clear, pure flavors and excellent balance)

2003: 88 (Some great wines, but others are overripe)

2002: 96 (Extraordinary balance and pure flavors; some great wines)

2001: 93 (Many elegant wines, bot others reflect excessive yields)

2000: 90 (Many intense wines, but beware those caught in late-season rain)

1999: 93 (Brilliantly flavorful, focused wines)

1998: 92 (Rich, classic wines, with few poor bottles; some tannic)

 

December 4, 2008

2007 Raia Shiraz

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Tasting Date: 11/30/2008
My Rating: good (85)
Price: $13
Grape: Syrah
Region: Spain
Appearance: clear, medium, ruby
Nose: clean, medium, berry (red, though there may be a hint of blueberry in there)
Palate

  • Sweetness: dry+
  • Tannins: medium
  • Acidity: medium
  • Body: full
  • Flavors: deep red fruit, hint of “jammy”, light black pepper
  • Length: medium+

Known Good Food Pairings:
Notes: About right for the price…. nothing all that special.  We had this wine with grilled steak and it just couldn’t compete – it was lost in the flavor of the meat.

 

November 28, 2008

2005 Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet

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Tasting Date: 11/27/2008
My Rating: outstanding (93)
Price: ~$35
Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Côte d’Or, France
Appearance: clear, medium-, yellow
Nose: clean, medium, apple, touch of oak
Palate

  • Sweetness: dry
  • Tannins: none
  • Acidity: medium+
  • Body: full
  • Flavors: citrus, apple
  • Length: long

Known Good Food Pairings: potato puree, sweet potato (pairs especially well with nutmeg)
Notes: wonderful – just enough oak to really pair well with the nutmeg and the “earthy” things (sweet potato, potato puree) but in no way does it mask the fruit – the fruit is very well represented and so full of flavor.

 

November 28, 2008

2001 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe “La Crau” Chateauneuf du Pape

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Tasting Date: 11/27/2008
My Rating: outstanding (92)
Price: ~$60
Grape: 60% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, and 15% others
Region: Chateauneuf du Pape, France
Appearance: clear, medium, garnet trending to brown
Nose: clean, medium, gamey, pepper, dark cherry (reviews say “salty sea breeze, seaweed” and this may be accurate – I’ll have to re-visit)
Palate

  • Sweetness: dry
  • Tannins: medium
  • Acidity: medium
  • Body: medium+
  • Flavors: dark cherry, peppery, gamey
  • Length: long

Known Good Food Pairings: Lamb chops, wild mushrooms
Notes: wonderful, gamey, “wild”, peppery and long

 

November 26, 2008

2005 Robert Eymael Mönchhof Mosel Slate Riesling Spätlese

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Tasting Date: 11/26/2008
My Rating: good+ (90)
Price: $25
Grape: Riesling
Region: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
Appearance: clear, medium, lemon/green
Nose: clean, pronounced, mineral, apple
Palate

  • Sweetness: off-dry
  • Tannins: none
  • Acidity: medium
  • Body: medium
  • Flavors: mineral, citrus, apple
  • Length: long

Known Good Food Pairings: moderately-spicy stir fry – it really brings out the mineral in the wine
Notes: very yummy.  Personally love the mineral notes in the nose and palate.

 

November 26, 2008

2007 Paitin Nebbiolo d’Alba

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Tasting Date: 
11/24/2008
My Rating: 
good+ (90)
Price: 
$19
Grape: 
Nebbiolo
Region: 
Alba, Italy
Appearance: clear, medium, brownish garnet
Nose: clean, medium, deep red fruit, raisin, smoky, blueberry(?)
Palate

  • Sweetness: dry
  • Tannins: medium+
  • Acidity: medium+
  • Body: full
  • Flavors: spicy, smoke, prune
  • Length: long

Known Good Food Pairings: 
tedious work :)   Haven’t yet tried it with food but surely pairs wonderfully with grilled steak
Notes: first Nebbiolo I’ve knowingly tried and was pleasantly surprised – I guess I expected the tannins to knock me down but they were quite nice.

 

November 11, 2008

2006 Paitin Barbera d’Alba Serra Boella

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Tasting Date: 11/10/2008
My Rating: good+ (90)
Price: ~$20
Grape: Barbera
Region: Alba, Italy
Appearance: clear, medium, garnet
Nose: clean, medium, oak (nice), plum
Palate

  • Sweetness: off-dry
  • Tannins: low-
  • Acidity: high
  • Body: medium
  • Flavors: strawberry, cherry
  • Length: long

Known Good Food Pairings: Pheasant with Apricot-Cranberry Sauce and Manchego Cheese, wrapped in Bacon
Notes: I preferred this Barbera over ones I’ve had from Asti

 

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