My parents were in town last weekend, which meant that my Dad got to go to the Friday night tasting at Bin 75 with me and experience the fun I've been having. We were back to a more manageable group compared with the prior week, and ended up with a really great group of wines.
My contribution was our first wine of the night, the 1999 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape. The wine was great to start, but later we noticed something off on the nose, suggesting it may be corked. It wasn't, but there remained some funk on the nose that never went away.
Our second wine was definitely a Cab, but it seemed so young and a bit too forward to be Bordeaux to me. I was wrong though, and shocked when it was revealed as a 2000 Chateau Malmaison. Dad had nailed it was Bordeaux, but the fact that it was a 2000 and still so young was really amazing.
Dad's wine was up next, and it was a blockbuster - the 1997 Dal Forno Valpolicella. Keith had mentioned the prior week that he would love if Dad could bring a Dal Forno, and he was happy to oblige. Everyone agreed this was a truly special wine.
The next wine seemed to be a basic California Cab, and nothing really special, but turned out to be a Cab Franc, not Sauvingnon - the 2003 Keenan Cab Franc.
The next wine began a run of Italians and was obviously a Nebbiolo. There was a split between Barolo and Barbaresco, with my guess going for a 96 Barolo. The wine ended up being the 1998 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco.
Up next was a wine that most of us identified as being Sangiovese, but varied on whether it was a Chianti, Supertuscan, or Brunello. Regardless, it was very good and ended up being the 1999 Felsina Fontalloro, a Supertuscan.
We remained in Tuscany for the next wine as well, this time for the 2003 Mazzei Siepi Supertuscan. Again, we zeroed in on Tuscany, but no one was quite right on it, and we were impressed by how well a wine from the 2003 vintage was showing.
Our next wine took us back to France, and after a bit of time I was actually able to nail the exact wine for the first time. I was lucky in that we had tasted it several weeks ago, but the combination of Syrah characteristic plus a strong sense of minerality led me to the 2005 St. Cosme Cote Rotie. I was again very impressed by this wine.
Finally, we wrapped up the night with a 2001 Chateau Lascombes Margaux. Everyone was on Bordeaux, and so we tried to get closer on the identification. Many were guessing the wine was from St. Estephe, and an older vintage of mid-late 90s. I didn't get the appellation, but did end up getting the vintage correct. Overall, it was a nice wine, especially for the vintage.
Overall, this was a great lineup of wines, maybe the best top to bottom of any night I've been at Bin 75. Dad had a great time, and most everyone enjoyed having him there. He definitely sees why I've been enjoying these tastings so much, and looks forward to joining me again.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
2006 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino
Last week, I finally had a chance to try out a wine from an estate that is getting a lot of attention lately. The 2006 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino is a very good wine from the latest great vintage in Toscana. Uccelliera's 2004 Brunello has been getting plenty of hype, though sadly we did not taste it at Vinitaly. In fact, this was the first bottle I'd ever had from this producer.
I must say I was impressed with this wine. it doesn't quite reach the level of the 2006 Il Poggione Rosso, but it is still a top-notch Rosso di Montalcino, offering some cherry and darker fruits and a hint of minerality. It also has a bit of complexity that sets the best Rossos apart in my opinion. I'd definitely like to try more of this, even tough it is a bit more expensive than I prefer to pay for my Rossos at about $28.
I must say I was impressed with this wine. it doesn't quite reach the level of the 2006 Il Poggione Rosso, but it is still a top-notch Rosso di Montalcino, offering some cherry and darker fruits and a hint of minerality. It also has a bit of complexity that sets the best Rossos apart in my opinion. I'd definitely like to try more of this, even tough it is a bit more expensive than I prefer to pay for my Rossos at about $28.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
2007 Bodegas Atalaya Almansa
Once again, I decided to try out a new Spanish wine from importer Jorge Ordonez, the 2007 Bodegas Atalaya Almansa. I wasn't at all familiar with either the producer or region, but with 91 points from the Wine Advocate and a price around $15, I decided to give it a try. This wine is typical of many of the new-styled Spanish wines imported by Ordonez, fruit-forward with a generous amount of oak. However, in this case I thought there was decent balance and just a bit of body to hold this wine together, and the oak wasn't overpowering like I've found it to be in other wines.
I enjoyed this wine over a couple of nights, and while I'm not sure I'd give it 91 points, it wasn't bad. If you like this style of wine, it will be quite enjoyable. It's another nice value from Spain, and I may be willing to try it again.
I enjoyed this wine over a couple of nights, and while I'm not sure I'd give it 91 points, it wasn't bad. If you like this style of wine, it will be quite enjoyable. It's another nice value from Spain, and I may be willing to try it again.
Friday, August 14, 2009
"Mondo" tasting at Bin 75
Last week's tasting a Bin 75 was kicked up a notch as Trevor, one of the employees there, was leaving. In his honor, the usual $40 minimum bottle price was upped to $60. I was excited for what promised to be a great night, and spent much of the week deciding what to take.
The tasting began with a Bordeaux, which I and everyone else guessed. A few were able to narrow down the vintage and appellation very close, which I could not. The wine was the 2000 Chateau Dauzac Margaux. The next wine was a Bordeaux also, but this time stumped most everyone, with most of guessing Italian (though I did not). It was actually the 1998 Chateau Latour, and was a disappointing showing for a first-growth, even from a vintage that's not the strongest.
Our third wine was from Burgundy, and the color and taste easily identified it as such. Keith even had the vintage, but missed on the appellation. The wine was the 2002 Louis Latour Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaut St-Jacques. Our next wine switched dramatically, and no one could really nail it down. Most everyone agreed it was very New World-styled, but guesses were mainly on South America or California (I guessed Spain). It ended up being the 2004 Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra.
We then made a quick detour into whites, with a 2005 Smarago Gruner Veltliner and a 2006 Staglin Chardonnay. I wasn't sure what either wine was, but the Gruner was more my style of white.
Back to the reds, we ended up in Australia again with the 2005 D'Arenberg Galvo Garage, a blend with mainly Cab. I originally thought it was an Aussie, but switched my guess to California Cab blend.
Finally, we came to my wine. The wine itself was awesome, just so different than anything else we had and so unique. A couple of folks did end up figuring out that it may be a Veneto wine, but everyone was surprised by the age. The wine was a 1996 Quintarelli Valpolicella, and it was as fresh as the 1999 we had in April in Italy. Our next wine was an Italian as well - I guessed Supertuscan, but it was actually the 1997 Banfi Poggio alla Mura Brunello. It was a nice wine, but I'd be shocked if it was actually 100% Sangiovese.
After the short Italian interlude, it was back to Cabs with the 2005 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvingon. I was on California, but not sure it was a straight Cab (though Keith was). From there, it was back to Bordeaux with the 2001 Langoa Barton St. Julien. Again, I could ID that it was a Bordeaux, but not the appellation. Keith was once again able to get that extra detail, nailing that it was a St. Julien. We then went back to California Cab again with the 2003 Duckhorn Napa Cab. This time most everyone was on California Cab from the start.
We next came to Keith's wine, so he wasn't in the guessing game. Initially the wine was quite sweet and had me baffled. But as it settled a bit and I examined the color closely, I realized it had to be a Nebbiolo. It had a slight bit of age, so I guessed that it was a 99 Barolo - close, but it was the 2001 Elio Altare Brunate Barolo.
The next two wines stumped most everyone again. First was the 2001 Le Croix St. Georges Pomerol, which no one identified even as Bordeaux, and I had no idea. Following that was the 2001 Argiano Brunello - several folks guessed it was a Nebbiolo, and though I disagreed I could not guess what it might be. I did like the wine, but again was disappointed that it did not seem to be a typical Sangiovese Grosso. We then finished our reds with one more Tuscan, the 1999 Guado al Tasso Bolgheri. I thought it may be a Bordeaux from 1999 or so, but it did stump most people as it had a lot of age. The tasting then concluded with a couple of Sherries.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed in what I thought would be an outstanding tasting, mainly due to the selections. This night confirmed my palate's preferences, as most of the California Cabs weren't to my liking, and even the Bordeaux wines were just ok. The Quintarelli really did stand out to me, and was just so much more pure and elegant in my opinion. I enjoyed the Brunellos, but again they lacked the true typicity that I want in those wines. Overall, it was still a fun evening, and another great chance to taste a variety of wines and talk about them with fellow wine lovers.
The tasting began with a Bordeaux, which I and everyone else guessed. A few were able to narrow down the vintage and appellation very close, which I could not. The wine was the 2000 Chateau Dauzac Margaux. The next wine was a Bordeaux also, but this time stumped most everyone, with most of guessing Italian (though I did not). It was actually the 1998 Chateau Latour, and was a disappointing showing for a first-growth, even from a vintage that's not the strongest.
Our third wine was from Burgundy, and the color and taste easily identified it as such. Keith even had the vintage, but missed on the appellation. The wine was the 2002 Louis Latour Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaut St-Jacques. Our next wine switched dramatically, and no one could really nail it down. Most everyone agreed it was very New World-styled, but guesses were mainly on South America or California (I guessed Spain). It ended up being the 2004 Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra.
We then made a quick detour into whites, with a 2005 Smarago Gruner Veltliner and a 2006 Staglin Chardonnay. I wasn't sure what either wine was, but the Gruner was more my style of white.
Back to the reds, we ended up in Australia again with the 2005 D'Arenberg Galvo Garage, a blend with mainly Cab. I originally thought it was an Aussie, but switched my guess to California Cab blend.
Finally, we came to my wine. The wine itself was awesome, just so different than anything else we had and so unique. A couple of folks did end up figuring out that it may be a Veneto wine, but everyone was surprised by the age. The wine was a 1996 Quintarelli Valpolicella, and it was as fresh as the 1999 we had in April in Italy. Our next wine was an Italian as well - I guessed Supertuscan, but it was actually the 1997 Banfi Poggio alla Mura Brunello. It was a nice wine, but I'd be shocked if it was actually 100% Sangiovese.
After the short Italian interlude, it was back to Cabs with the 2005 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvingon. I was on California, but not sure it was a straight Cab (though Keith was). From there, it was back to Bordeaux with the 2001 Langoa Barton St. Julien. Again, I could ID that it was a Bordeaux, but not the appellation. Keith was once again able to get that extra detail, nailing that it was a St. Julien. We then went back to California Cab again with the 2003 Duckhorn Napa Cab. This time most everyone was on California Cab from the start.
We next came to Keith's wine, so he wasn't in the guessing game. Initially the wine was quite sweet and had me baffled. But as it settled a bit and I examined the color closely, I realized it had to be a Nebbiolo. It had a slight bit of age, so I guessed that it was a 99 Barolo - close, but it was the 2001 Elio Altare Brunate Barolo.
The next two wines stumped most everyone again. First was the 2001 Le Croix St. Georges Pomerol, which no one identified even as Bordeaux, and I had no idea. Following that was the 2001 Argiano Brunello - several folks guessed it was a Nebbiolo, and though I disagreed I could not guess what it might be. I did like the wine, but again was disappointed that it did not seem to be a typical Sangiovese Grosso. We then finished our reds with one more Tuscan, the 1999 Guado al Tasso Bolgheri. I thought it may be a Bordeaux from 1999 or so, but it did stump most people as it had a lot of age. The tasting then concluded with a couple of Sherries.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed in what I thought would be an outstanding tasting, mainly due to the selections. This night confirmed my palate's preferences, as most of the California Cabs weren't to my liking, and even the Bordeaux wines were just ok. The Quintarelli really did stand out to me, and was just so much more pure and elegant in my opinion. I enjoyed the Brunellos, but again they lacked the true typicity that I want in those wines. Overall, it was still a fun evening, and another great chance to taste a variety of wines and talk about them with fellow wine lovers.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Two from Southern France
Last week I had a couple of French wines that featured blends of the great grapes of the South, but unfortunately with different results. First up was the 2005 Calvet-Thunevin Cuvee Constance, a Vin de Pays from Cotes Catalanes in Roussillon. This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignan, and is quite a bargain. It is full of dark fruits and has a generous finish for a wine in this price range (about $15). It is the entry-level wine from this producer, and well worth searching out if you like Rhone varietals.
Over the weekend, I went to the cellar and pulled out a 2000 Domaine de la Mordoree Lirac Cuvee Reine des Bois. Mordoree makes great Chateauneufs, but also great Liracs, and this was the oldest of several Liracs I had. Unfortunately, I seem to have found a limit on again the Lirac (especially in my passive cellar) as this wine was past its prime. It wasn't undrinkable, but had acquired a heavy dose of soy flavors that many reds past their prime get. The soy unfortunately overtook the fruit flavors that still remained and left this as a disappointment. It's a good learning for me though, and as I still have bottles from vintages 2003-2006 in the cellar, I'll adjust accordingly on their drinking windows.
Over the weekend, I went to the cellar and pulled out a 2000 Domaine de la Mordoree Lirac Cuvee Reine des Bois. Mordoree makes great Chateauneufs, but also great Liracs, and this was the oldest of several Liracs I had. Unfortunately, I seem to have found a limit on again the Lirac (especially in my passive cellar) as this wine was past its prime. It wasn't undrinkable, but had acquired a heavy dose of soy flavors that many reds past their prime get. The soy unfortunately overtook the fruit flavors that still remained and left this as a disappointment. It's a good learning for me though, and as I still have bottles from vintages 2003-2006 in the cellar, I'll adjust accordingly on their drinking windows.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Two Italians from a decent 2005 vintage
Across much of Italy, it seems that 2004 and 2006 are quite impressive vintages, but 2005 offers up some superb wines as well. I've had a couple of wines from two very different regions recently, and both were quite nice. Up first was the 2005 Fattoria Le Pupille Morrelino di Scansano, which I have had once before. This is a nice, easy drinking food-friendly wine that I quite enjoy. It was consistent with the prior notes I had from a few months ago, with a hint of spice to help round out the profile.
Up next was one of my consistent favorites from year to year, the 2005 Zenato Ripassa. Amazingly, it had been about a year since I last had a bottle of this vintage, and it was just as good, though not necessarily improved. I thought some time would really allow this wine to blossom even more, but I'm not sure it's really evolved much. I'm not complaining though, as it's a very good wine, and with the 2006 getting a lot of hype, the 2005 is getting marked down on local shelves back to the $20 price range. It's definitely a good buy at that price, and still a favorite of mine.
Up next was one of my consistent favorites from year to year, the 2005 Zenato Ripassa. Amazingly, it had been about a year since I last had a bottle of this vintage, and it was just as good, though not necessarily improved. I thought some time would really allow this wine to blossom even more, but I'm not sure it's really evolved much. I'm not complaining though, as it's a very good wine, and with the 2006 getting a lot of hype, the 2005 is getting marked down on local shelves back to the $20 price range. It's definitely a good buy at that price, and still a favorite of mine.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Closing out July at Bin 75
Catching up on entries, next up is a recap of another Friday night at Bin 75 in Alpharetta, this one from July 31. We were back with a group of 8-10 and tasting all the wines blind.
The first wine of the night was mine - a 1997 Luigi Einaudi Barolo. The wine was a bit advanced in age, but still with nice flavors. I did come back to it at the very end of the night though and it was fading fast, so it was good to drink it when we did. The next wine had me pretty stumped other than ID'ing some Cab in the blend, and it turned out to be the 2001 Clos les Lunelles Cotes de Castillon. The third wine also had me stumped (along with most everyone else) and turned out to be the 2005 Pibarnon Bandol.
Our fourth wine was decent, but again had me stumped on what it was, and it turned out to be the 2005 St. Cosme Chateauneuf du Pape. I didn't taste any grenache on it at all. The tough night continued next with the 2005 Mendel Mendoza Malbec, another one that most everyone failed to identify.
Next up was a wine I did not like at all (nor did I ID it correctly, though Keith nailed it) which turned out to be the 2006 Clos St. Jean Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf du Pape. I found it too sweet and not too enjoyable at all. We followed with what might have been my wine of the night, the 2005 Chateau d'Aiguilhe Cotes de Castillon. I thought it may be a Supertuscan, and was surprised how much I liked it.
We then had a 2003 St. Clement Howell Mountain Cab, which was a rare occasion on the night most everyone could at least ID the region and grape. The next wine was also showing some rare typicity for the night, and was our lone Chateauneuf to really scream that - the 2006 Domaine la Barroche Chateauneuf du Pape.
Interestingly, we then had another Chateau d'Aiguilhe, this time the 1999. It was also very good, with more age softening it up. We concluded the main portion of the tasting with a South African wine - the 2001 Morgenstern Lourens River Valley. Being a true novice with South African wines, I had no idea what it was, though Keith knew it was from South Africa.
There were a few more wines after that, but also a taste of Creme de Cassis that killed off what remained of my palate at that point, so I won't go into those wines as I really couldn't taste much of anything else at that point. Overall, it was another fun evening, though I struggled much more than previously in my attempts to ID wines. The next week ended up being a great one as well, and I'll have that report coming soon.
The first wine of the night was mine - a 1997 Luigi Einaudi Barolo. The wine was a bit advanced in age, but still with nice flavors. I did come back to it at the very end of the night though and it was fading fast, so it was good to drink it when we did. The next wine had me pretty stumped other than ID'ing some Cab in the blend, and it turned out to be the 2001 Clos les Lunelles Cotes de Castillon. The third wine also had me stumped (along with most everyone else) and turned out to be the 2005 Pibarnon Bandol.
Our fourth wine was decent, but again had me stumped on what it was, and it turned out to be the 2005 St. Cosme Chateauneuf du Pape. I didn't taste any grenache on it at all. The tough night continued next with the 2005 Mendel Mendoza Malbec, another one that most everyone failed to identify.
Next up was a wine I did not like at all (nor did I ID it correctly, though Keith nailed it) which turned out to be the 2006 Clos St. Jean Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf du Pape. I found it too sweet and not too enjoyable at all. We followed with what might have been my wine of the night, the 2005 Chateau d'Aiguilhe Cotes de Castillon. I thought it may be a Supertuscan, and was surprised how much I liked it.
We then had a 2003 St. Clement Howell Mountain Cab, which was a rare occasion on the night most everyone could at least ID the region and grape. The next wine was also showing some rare typicity for the night, and was our lone Chateauneuf to really scream that - the 2006 Domaine la Barroche Chateauneuf du Pape.
Interestingly, we then had another Chateau d'Aiguilhe, this time the 1999. It was also very good, with more age softening it up. We concluded the main portion of the tasting with a South African wine - the 2001 Morgenstern Lourens River Valley. Being a true novice with South African wines, I had no idea what it was, though Keith knew it was from South Africa.
There were a few more wines after that, but also a taste of Creme de Cassis that killed off what remained of my palate at that point, so I won't go into those wines as I really couldn't taste much of anything else at that point. Overall, it was another fun evening, though I struggled much more than previously in my attempts to ID wines. The next week ended up being a great one as well, and I'll have that report coming soon.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Weekend in North Carolina with Loudoun
Last weekend I went up to the mountains of North Carolina to visit my grandmother and enjoy the cool mountain air. Loudoun drove up from Charlotte (without his wife who was off to a bachelorette party weekend) so of course there was plenty of wine to be drunk. Friday night with steaks I opened up a 2002 Haan Shiraz, which I had purchased in Charlotte a few years ago. The wine was quite nice, though a little on the sweet side. After a while, it had acquired some almost Amarone or Recioto-like characteristics - not necessarily raisiny, but just a bit sweet. I wasn't sure that I really liked that, but overall the wine was enjoyable and not too overpowering.
Saturday night, we opened up a wine I found earlier in the day - the 2007 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape. I'm not typically one to drink something so early, but I had purchased a bottle of this producer's 100% Grenache cuvee a few weeks ago so I was interested to see how their base wine would be. This wine was certainly no slouch - after just a bit of air, it quickly began to show off the dark fruit and spice of the Grenache that dominates the blend. It certainly gives a hint of the greatness of the vintage and makes me look forward to more 2007 Chateauneufs.
We actually finished later Saturday night with a 1999 Michele Satta Cavaliere. This Supertuscan had been in my cellar for a while and I recall it having very good reviews when I bought it. I felt that the wine was somewhat disjointed, as the fruit was fading a bit to me, but there were still some serious tannins. Loudoun enjoyed the wine a bit more, picking up some pear notes, but to me there wasn't much. With the tannins, this wine seemed to be out of balance, and I have little faith that at this advanced age it would ever get into balance (and may not have ever been). While this wine was a disappointment, the weekend was quite enjoyable visiting with my grandmother and hanging out with a good friend with good food and wine.
Saturday night, we opened up a wine I found earlier in the day - the 2007 Domaine Giraud Chateauneuf du Pape. I'm not typically one to drink something so early, but I had purchased a bottle of this producer's 100% Grenache cuvee a few weeks ago so I was interested to see how their base wine would be. This wine was certainly no slouch - after just a bit of air, it quickly began to show off the dark fruit and spice of the Grenache that dominates the blend. It certainly gives a hint of the greatness of the vintage and makes me look forward to more 2007 Chateauneufs.
We actually finished later Saturday night with a 1999 Michele Satta Cavaliere. This Supertuscan had been in my cellar for a while and I recall it having very good reviews when I bought it. I felt that the wine was somewhat disjointed, as the fruit was fading a bit to me, but there were still some serious tannins. Loudoun enjoyed the wine a bit more, picking up some pear notes, but to me there wasn't much. With the tannins, this wine seemed to be out of balance, and I have little faith that at this advanced age it would ever get into balance (and may not have ever been). While this wine was a disappointment, the weekend was quite enjoyable visiting with my grandmother and hanging out with a good friend with good food and wine.
Monday, August 3, 2009
2000 Scala Dei Cartoixa Riserva Priorat
Continuing my new priority to work through some of the older wines in my cellar, I pulled this wine from Priorat out last week. There has been some skepticism on how Priorats tend to age, but the 2000 Scala Dei Cartoixa was still going strong. A blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvingon and Grenache with just a dollop of Syrah, this wine seemed to be at its peak. The Cab initially dominated, but the Grenache ended up holding its own.
Over two nights, this wine held up beautifully. It offered up plenty of black currant and black cherry flavors, and still had some complexity as well with a bit of acidity. Overall, I came away very impressed with this wine, after being a bit skeptical if it might be over the hill. For a wine that doesn't get a lot of press and certainly wasn't priced among the elites of Priorat, it was quite a treat.
Over two nights, this wine held up beautifully. It offered up plenty of black currant and black cherry flavors, and still had some complexity as well with a bit of acidity. Overall, I came away very impressed with this wine, after being a bit skeptical if it might be over the hill. For a wine that doesn't get a lot of press and certainly wasn't priced among the elites of Priorat, it was quite a treat.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
2007 Domaine Les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Trois Soeurs
The second wine I've had from Domaine les Grands Bois was the 2007 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Trois Soeurs. This wine is another from the great 2007 Southern Rhone vintage, and was a great value. It's not quite as complex as the first offering I had from Grands Bois, but is a winner nonetheless. It's a more straightforward easy-drinking Cotes du Rhone, made from mainly Grenache along with some Syrah and Carignan.
I had this wine over two nights, and it did offer up a little more on the second night, but it wasn't remarkably different, offering lots of dark fruits typical of a Grenache/Syrah blend. Overall, it's another great value choice from the 2007 vintage and a wine I'd certainly look to drink again.
I had this wine over two nights, and it did offer up a little more on the second night, but it wasn't remarkably different, offering lots of dark fruits typical of a Grenache/Syrah blend. Overall, it's another great value choice from the 2007 vintage and a wine I'd certainly look to drink again.
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