Saturday, July 17, 2004
A small contingent of the WinePals gathered for a two part progressive dinner, appetizers, like five of them at Roy's with Executive Chef Evan Cruz and sushi mamas Katherine and Krystal rocking out with five wow em all over dishes ranging from duck salad, fresher than fresh hand rolls and Nieman ranch pork. We then progressed to Flemings for steaks and side dishes. While we likely had too much food, the wines sure justified the two stops.
White Wine's at Roy's
2002 Lake Chalice Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand
Crisp and refreshing was how one attendee called this lovely, easy to drink white wine. Offering up zesty lemon lime zippy flavors, the wine's flinty and mineral quality was a perfect way to start the early evening's activities. The wine's delightful easy to drink style, and lack of cat's pee aromas found in some New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs made this wine friendly to a wine novice who was getting her first "WinePals" experience.
2001 Ross Estate Riesling, Barossa Valley Australia
If Australia ever wanted to be big in Rhine style wines, I would not be surprised. This very Rheinhessen like white, made in a style not to far removed from Kabinett heading toward Spatlese was a real delight with the two sushi dishes. Lots of petrol, fusil oil, green apples, cloves and honey, plus ripe apricots made this wine a delight.
2000 Chateau du Trignon Cotes du Rhone Blanc
I never stop appreciating one of Kermit Lynch's finest finds in bargain white wines, especially after letting it age a few years. More ripe than the gorgeous 1998 from Chateau du Trignon, the '00 seems to have a really heavy dose of Viognier, giving it more floral tones to the nose. On the palate, the peach, apricot, pear and vanilla flavors all tickle your fancy. This is a perfect summer time wine and really classy.
Wines at Flemings
We started with a wonderful 2002 Schlufhauser (sp) Sudtirol Aldo Aldige Weissburgunder Pinot Bianco, and while this likely would have been the perfect sushi wine, all by itself the wine was a charmer. High acid, wet stones, lots of minerals and almost bone dry in style, the wine was simply breathtaking in performance. Hints of lime and kumquat, some flintiness around the edge, this wine was really good and can be found at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas.
1999 Mas Donis Capcanas
Talk about a thrill ride from an $8.99 bottle of red wine from Spain. As great as the Gottim Bru continues to be, the Mas Donis entry level wine which is a blend of old vine Grenache and Syrah is simply about the best red wine value from Spain I've had in years. This wine is clearly at peak, and showing all kinds of cigar box, leather, tarry and berry aromatics. On the palate it is sheer velvet, as it's lush, rich, silky smooth and sinfully mouth watering flavors are so hedonistically satisfying. Full of ripe blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and plums with a hint of all spice, this wine is made in an old school sort of way and while likely impossible to find on store shelves is right on the mark for drinking now and for the next two to three years. A sensational effort from importer Eric Solomon who likely already has the 2002's in the pipeline of this sensational value. I rank this red wine right up there with the Laurel Glen Terrarosa and Castle Rock Cabernet as reasons why you don't have to spend big bucks, to drink great cellar worthy wines.
2002 Rombauer Proprietor's Reserve Zinfandel
A very young Zin, made from a small parcel of land on the Rombaurer Estate, this wine is simply charming now, and will age incredibly well for the next five to seven years, if allowed to. Already showing all the flavors that make an aged Zin tasty, the current release is simply mouth filling and robust, with black pepper spice, tarry Zinfandel fruit and gobs of cocoa, cherry and black currants. This is a stunning and incredible effort and worthy of any table and proves once again, that any Zin that is made by a winery whose name begins with "R" is right on the mark, each and every time.
Cheers,
Andy Abramson
White Wine's at Roy's
2002 Lake Chalice Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand
Crisp and refreshing was how one attendee called this lovely, easy to drink white wine. Offering up zesty lemon lime zippy flavors, the wine's flinty and mineral quality was a perfect way to start the early evening's activities. The wine's delightful easy to drink style, and lack of cat's pee aromas found in some New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs made this wine friendly to a wine novice who was getting her first "WinePals" experience.
2001 Ross Estate Riesling, Barossa Valley Australia
If Australia ever wanted to be big in Rhine style wines, I would not be surprised. This very Rheinhessen like white, made in a style not to far removed from Kabinett heading toward Spatlese was a real delight with the two sushi dishes. Lots of petrol, fusil oil, green apples, cloves and honey, plus ripe apricots made this wine a delight.
2000 Chateau du Trignon Cotes du Rhone Blanc
I never stop appreciating one of Kermit Lynch's finest finds in bargain white wines, especially after letting it age a few years. More ripe than the gorgeous 1998 from Chateau du Trignon, the '00 seems to have a really heavy dose of Viognier, giving it more floral tones to the nose. On the palate, the peach, apricot, pear and vanilla flavors all tickle your fancy. This is a perfect summer time wine and really classy.
Wines at Flemings
We started with a wonderful 2002 Schlufhauser (sp) Sudtirol Aldo Aldige Weissburgunder Pinot Bianco, and while this likely would have been the perfect sushi wine, all by itself the wine was a charmer. High acid, wet stones, lots of minerals and almost bone dry in style, the wine was simply breathtaking in performance. Hints of lime and kumquat, some flintiness around the edge, this wine was really good and can be found at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas.
1999 Mas Donis Capcanas
Talk about a thrill ride from an $8.99 bottle of red wine from Spain. As great as the Gottim Bru continues to be, the Mas Donis entry level wine which is a blend of old vine Grenache and Syrah is simply about the best red wine value from Spain I've had in years. This wine is clearly at peak, and showing all kinds of cigar box, leather, tarry and berry aromatics. On the palate it is sheer velvet, as it's lush, rich, silky smooth and sinfully mouth watering flavors are so hedonistically satisfying. Full of ripe blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and plums with a hint of all spice, this wine is made in an old school sort of way and while likely impossible to find on store shelves is right on the mark for drinking now and for the next two to three years. A sensational effort from importer Eric Solomon who likely already has the 2002's in the pipeline of this sensational value. I rank this red wine right up there with the Laurel Glen Terrarosa and Castle Rock Cabernet as reasons why you don't have to spend big bucks, to drink great cellar worthy wines.
2002 Rombauer Proprietor's Reserve Zinfandel
A very young Zin, made from a small parcel of land on the Rombaurer Estate, this wine is simply charming now, and will age incredibly well for the next five to seven years, if allowed to. Already showing all the flavors that make an aged Zin tasty, the current release is simply mouth filling and robust, with black pepper spice, tarry Zinfandel fruit and gobs of cocoa, cherry and black currants. This is a stunning and incredible effort and worthy of any table and proves once again, that any Zin that is made by a winery whose name begins with "R" is right on the mark, each and every time.
Cheers,
Andy Abramson
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