Saturday, April 05, 2003
It was a Thursday night, impromptu plans with my friend Jennifer, who is chairing the kick butt Junior League of San Diego Encore Wine Event on April 26 and I ended up at Arterra. As usual Matt Andrew's, or I should say, the soon to be married --Congrats Matt--- and Carl Schroeder, Chef Superstar, were in the house looking after all the details.
Matt started me off with a taste of the 2000 Talley Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara which was yummy, followed by the 1998 Keenan Napa Valley Cabernet. Once Jen arrived, I brought out my picks.
1989 Scharzhofberger Scharzhofberg Kabinett Riesling
This is a wine that I recall buying two cases of in the mid 90's at Barons on one of the closeouts for something like $4.99. Given that 89 was a rather good year in the Mosel, at that price who could pass it up. I sure couldn't. So last night, after Matt had said, bring along something non-USA as the Arterra list is almost all USA, I reached for this wine and two others to tempt and tantalize the taste buds.
A amazing nose of fresh fruit, rubber band and diesel (no, not Vin Diesel--but that does sort of work) with minerals and more. One the palate loads of tropical and sub tropical fruit was going on. Tangerine, kiwi, lime, lemon, more of those wet stones, flint and a hint of modeling clay. As the wine developed it became even more enticing as the flavors and nuances of a well made, perfectly aged Riesling all appeared, providing a delightful counterpoint to the Seared Halibut appetizer. Jen recalled a bottle of this wine had made it to her roommates Triathlon Team In Training Fund Raiser, and left her hopeful it was one that survived the many bottle opening.
1999 Coudelet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Rouge
Initially this was like taking a walk in the barnyard after fresh morning dew as the typical young Mourvedre aromas were most evident. Matt requested Southern French, and if this isn't text book, nothing is. The baby brother of Chateau de Beaucastel is made from grapes that fall just outside the AOC limits of Chateauneuf. Somehow no one has told the grapes that they aren't destined for Chateauneuf du Pape, so this wine remains one of the best wine values around. Having been drinking this wine from as far back as the 1988 vintage, and still holding some 1989's, I can attest to how much this wine thinks it really is a CdP.
Lots of black cherry, blueberry, smoked meat, wild game, roasted herbs and strawberry. A wonderful pairing for Carl's succulent roasted chicken stuffed with sausage and herbs. This one, like the white had Jen ooing and aahing....
1999 Pirramina McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
Matt initially thought this was the Shiraz, given it's dense and dark color. It could have fooled me too, until one tasted it. Unlike that big and lip smacking toasted oak and blueberry flavor, this sensational New World Cabernet was almost all fruit with just a hint of American oak. Gobs and gobs of cherry fruit, loaded with black raspberry, briar patch mint and a layer of bing cherry and blackberries.
Matt started me off with a taste of the 2000 Talley Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara which was yummy, followed by the 1998 Keenan Napa Valley Cabernet. Once Jen arrived, I brought out my picks.
1989 Scharzhofberger Scharzhofberg Kabinett Riesling
This is a wine that I recall buying two cases of in the mid 90's at Barons on one of the closeouts for something like $4.99. Given that 89 was a rather good year in the Mosel, at that price who could pass it up. I sure couldn't. So last night, after Matt had said, bring along something non-USA as the Arterra list is almost all USA, I reached for this wine and two others to tempt and tantalize the taste buds.
A amazing nose of fresh fruit, rubber band and diesel (no, not Vin Diesel--but that does sort of work) with minerals and more. One the palate loads of tropical and sub tropical fruit was going on. Tangerine, kiwi, lime, lemon, more of those wet stones, flint and a hint of modeling clay. As the wine developed it became even more enticing as the flavors and nuances of a well made, perfectly aged Riesling all appeared, providing a delightful counterpoint to the Seared Halibut appetizer. Jen recalled a bottle of this wine had made it to her roommates Triathlon Team In Training Fund Raiser, and left her hopeful it was one that survived the many bottle opening.
1999 Coudelet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Rouge
Initially this was like taking a walk in the barnyard after fresh morning dew as the typical young Mourvedre aromas were most evident. Matt requested Southern French, and if this isn't text book, nothing is. The baby brother of Chateau de Beaucastel is made from grapes that fall just outside the AOC limits of Chateauneuf. Somehow no one has told the grapes that they aren't destined for Chateauneuf du Pape, so this wine remains one of the best wine values around. Having been drinking this wine from as far back as the 1988 vintage, and still holding some 1989's, I can attest to how much this wine thinks it really is a CdP.
Lots of black cherry, blueberry, smoked meat, wild game, roasted herbs and strawberry. A wonderful pairing for Carl's succulent roasted chicken stuffed with sausage and herbs. This one, like the white had Jen ooing and aahing....
1999 Pirramina McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
Matt initially thought this was the Shiraz, given it's dense and dark color. It could have fooled me too, until one tasted it. Unlike that big and lip smacking toasted oak and blueberry flavor, this sensational New World Cabernet was almost all fruit with just a hint of American oak. Gobs and gobs of cherry fruit, loaded with black raspberry, briar patch mint and a layer of bing cherry and blackberries.
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