Wine Tasting on December 21, 2007

We tasted 4 wines blind and one white wine as an extra (#0). Present are Winepath, Uncle-E, Uncle-N, Piroca, Grasshopper, and Jimmy (full participation). It was a good tasting and all wines are good to drink.

0. Pride Viognier 2006

This was an extra before tasting real wines contributed by Piroca. Nice fruity nose of green apple and hint of citrus. Nice smooth viscous mouth feel with crisp acidity. You do taste some wood. It was said to be fermented and aged in "neutral" oak barrels, (I suppose "neutral" may mean old or used French white oak barrel). Nice long finish. As a white wine, definitely more interesting.

P.S. Carol an I tasted this wine the day after, the character imparted by oaking came out very nicely and more prominently; almost reminded of good old California Chardonnay. Nutty, buttery taste and smooth viscous mouth feel really got pronounced. This is a pleasant surprise from Viognier but this is from Pride after all.

1. El Nido Clio 2005 score=4

Monastrell 70% and Cab Sauv 30%. New world wine from Spain. Uncle-E thought this could be a boutique cab from California such as Bucella (may have been influenced by the heavy bottle).

We are so impressed with 2004. 2005 just came out. We had a big expectation and it did not disappoint. Nice cherry, minerals, and vanilla nose. Complex black fruits on the palate with nice tannin (will be milder with age). Long finish with mocha and chocolate. Compared to 2004, Piroca felt bit too tannic but the rest thought it was just fine. For about $40 right now, it is a good buy but if 2004 is an example, the price will go up as supplies get scarce.

2. Lewelling 2004 Cab Sauv, Wight vineyard, score=4 or (5)

This is the wine Piroca raved about in the previous post; to quote him "The tasting experience is beyond pleasurable and I would venture to say that it is almost orgasmic. ..... It revoked (meant to say "evoked"?..Uncle-N) all the flavors I have experienced throughout my entire life, good and bad. ...... be ready to experience your life parade in front of you." Not everybody reached the "orgasm". Mineral and Cherry nose. It is in old world style and complex but subtle on the palate. Long finish and excellent tannin structure. Piroca and Uncle-E (as being one of the most sophisticated) liked this one the best.

3. Linne Caldo 2005 Nemesis Syrah, score=3

Initially most of us thought this could be Chateauneuf . Slight funk; described by Uncle-N as "sweaty armpit with perfumey deodorant applied". Because of the funky nose, we thought this is European. Good red and black fruits on the palate with subtle spices. Pleasant tannin and relatively long finish. We noticed that sometimes, California wine may have slight funk (never like some of the French or Italian wines though). Old world style syrah (actually 85% syrah, with monastrell).

4. Chateau de la Gardine, 2004 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, score=3

Gutsy move from Winepath. This made an appearance with thick bown bag "burka" to conceal the Pope's hat-shaped bottle. Unmistakable funk on the nose with spice box (smells like somebody broke a bottle of Worcestershire sauce in the covered of musty wet basement, please note that we did not taste "Lea and Perrins", the label is just for reference). Old world style (obviously) nice balance of acid and tannin. Among the Chateauneuf we have tasted, one of the best.


5. Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce, non-vintaged

Tangy spice box, acid, and anchovy on the nose. Remind of some Chateauneuf -du-Pape.