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White Wines:
2002 Domaine Boudin Chablis (France) - Chardonnay grape
"Aromas of lime, minerals and toast. Sweet, fat, full and broad, with impressive depth of fruit for a village wine. Flavors of peach and apricot, with a honeyed nuance and sound firming acidity. A very strong village wine in the making...87-90." International Wine Cellar (IWC) 7/03 Vin de Vin (VdV): "Try this wine with mustard chicken or pasta with butter." $16.99.
2002 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre (France) - Sauvignon Blanc grape
"Lots to like here, with citrus peel, straw, mineral, lemon curd and peach notes. This bouncy Sancerre has vibrancy and balance and begs for food." 90 points WS. Rated #65 out of the top 100 wines of 2003 by Wine Spectator magazine. VdV: "This wine would go well with scallops, garlic and pesto sauces, or goat cheese." $11.99.
2001 Alsace Willm Riesling Alsace (France) - Riesling grape
Round and fruity, showing ripe peach, apple and mineral flavors. Juicy in texture, it firms up on the lingering finish," said Wine Spectator magazine. VdV: "Try this wine with fish dishes, lobster, or oysters." $10.99.
2002 Francois Chidaine "Clos Habert" Montlouis Sur Loire Valley (France) - Chenin Blanc grape
"The tendre style, with a touch of lingering sweetness. Awesome (and elegant) with lobster, pumpkin or squash dishes, and any rich or sweet sauce." Nancy’s Wines for Food (NYC). VdV: "Try this wine with fruit tarts, salted nuts, or light chocolate desserts." $15.99
Red Wines:
2001 Finca Luzon Altos de Luzon (Jumilla, Spain) - 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre), 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Tempranillo grapes
"A tremendous value from the emerging viticultural area of Jumilla, this blend of 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre), 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Tempranillo was fashioned from microscopic yields of 1.6 tons of fruit per acre, and spent ten months in both American and French oak. A dense plum/purple-colored effort, it offers up abundant aromas of earth, prunes, raisins, and black currants with tar and compost-like notes in the background. Spicy and rich, with a sweet palate, medium to full body, and loads of fruit, it should drink well for 5-6 years." Rated 89 The Wine Advocate $20.99
1999 Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône-Villages Grande Réserve (France) - blend of 65% Grenache grape and 35% Syrah grape
"Blockbuster red. Thick, inky-black and complex, here is a wine to sink your teeth into. Ripe but elegant fruit, with tar, smoke and blackberry notes. Full-bodied, it kicks in with sweet but firm tannins on the lingering finish," said Wine Spectator magazine which rated this wine 92. VdV: "Try this wine with red meat, game or strong cheese." $15.99
2000 Chateau Guibot la Fourvieille Puisseguin St Emilion - Bordeaux (France) - Merlot grape
"This up and coming property offers a value-priced, 100% Merlot cuvee from one of St.-Emilion's satellite appellations. The wine spends 12 months in oak. An excellent sleeper of the vintage, this soft, deliciously round, rich 2000 displays sweet fruit, hints of charred oak, medium body, excellent purity, and an attractive, savory character. Drink it over the next 7-8 years." $16.99
2000 Château Meyney St.-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois - Bordeaux (France) - blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc grapes
"Love the spicy, nutmeg and floral nose to this. Medium-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a medium finish," said Wine Spectator magazine, which rated this wine 88. VdV: "This wine would match well with hearty meat dishes or sharp cheeses." $21.99.
Wines Served Before the Wine Tasting:
White:
2001 Mas Igneus Barranc Dels Closos (Spain) - 50% Macabeu, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Pedro Ximenes, and 5% Muscat
VdV: The Wine Advocate said the following about the 2003 version of this wine: "The 2003 Barranc dels Closos is a distinctive blend of 50% Macabeu, 30% Grenache Blanc, 15% Pedro Ximenes, and 5% Muscat aged three months in French oak. A fragrant, flamboyant perfume of tropical fruits and honey jumps from the glass of this medium-bodied, crisp, refreshing white. With loads of body, fruit, and character, it will drink well for 12-18 months. Rated 90."
Red:
1999 Abadia Retuerta Rivola Sardon Del Duero (Spain) - 60% Tempranillo and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes
"This estate is famous for their top single vineyard cuvees, but one of their least expensive wines is a fabulous value. The United States received 6,000 cases of the 1999 Rivola, a blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon aged eight months in both French and American oak before being bottled unfiltered. It reveals all the characteristics of a great vintage - super ripeness, terrific purity, a multidimensional, textured feel on the palate, and copious quantities of black cherry and currant fruit nicely dosed with spicy, toasty oak. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Kudos to winemaker Angel Anociba for not only making great wines, but also for providing consumers with needed relief at this level." Rated 90 The Wine Advocate $11.50
Wine Served After the Wine Tasting:
Dessert Wine:
Gonzalez Byass "Noe" Pedro Ximénez Muy Viejo 30 years old Sherry (Spain) - Pedro Ximénez grape
"The Pedro Ximénez grapes rest in the sun on hooded matweed mats for some days to concentrate their sugar content. the nose is excited by the aromas of dried fruit, softened and enriched with overtones of toast, dates and chocolate. On the palate it is thick, warm and velvety with a sweetness that does not cloy and a long finish in which the raisin overtones combine with those acquired during ageing." http://www.dulcenda.it $44
- "Well Done!"
- "Excellent Job!"
- "Great Tasting!"
- "Great Time!"
- "Thanks!"
- "Lots of Fun!"
