 | | VinoCellar.com Wine Forums | |
| |
| | | Author | Messages | |
wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
 | | 08/21/2006 3:49 PM |
| DAWGS OFFLINE - AUGUST 19, 2006 - just a skosh's house in Dallas, TX (8/19/2006)
“Bring a bottle with a story behind it”
Just a skosh was our host for this month’s wine tasting and as host she picked the wine theme for this month. “Bring a bottle with a story behind it”. Attendees could bring any bottle they wished as long as they attached a typed or hand written story to the bottle. Our goal was ot share memories of these wines with our fellow wine lovers. What a fantastic idea!
In attendance at this month’s event where: just a skosh, Mr. just a skosh, seanr7, seanr7 FIL, win, cyclone wino, Mrs. cyclone wino, preferred, Mrs. preferred, WineWave, MikeB and Melia, PlanoWino, TexasZin, Mrs. TexasZin, PURPLE and yours truly.
Onto the show…
White Flight
We started off with some whites to get the palates primed and to sip on while we nibbled on the appetizers everybody brought.
- 1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon - France, Champagne
WIML95,WA98,WS93
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cuvee Prestige glass. Light yellow to yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with solid medium bead. Nose of pears, crème fraiche, yellow apple and a little biscuit. Flavors of biscuits, pears, yellow apples and a little citrus fruits. Good acidity. Medium bodied. Well balanced. Sticking with my 3 previous ratings of 95 points. Can be drank now but can be cellared for many years. Based on a current retail price hovering around $125.00 a bottle I’d still say the value here is between recommended and highly recommended. Once again, if you were fortunate enough to get this wine early on around $90.00 a bottle you got yourself an outstanding value. (95 pts.)
- 1999 Schramsberg Vineyard J Schram - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML87,NOWA,WS88
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cuvee Prestige glass. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout with heavy, thick beading. Nose of “mushroom”, yellow apple and pears. Flavors of cherries, sweet apples and pears. Medium acidity, light to medium body. Drink over the short term. Based on a current retail price of $56.00 a bottle I’d say the value here is barely acceptable. I’d rather drink a N.V. Bolliger Special Cuvee at a lower price point myself. (87 pts.)
- 2004 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier - USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg
WIML87,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cuvee Prestige glass. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of gooseberries, grapefruit and fresh orange slices. Flavors of orange soda, sweet pear and pineapple. Light to medium acidity, light to medim body. Drink now. Based on a current retail price of $9.99 a bottle I’d say the value here is recommended, especially as an inexpensive summertime quaffer. (87 pts.)
- 2002 Inama Soave Classico Superiore Vigneto du Lot - Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
WIML90,NOWA,WS91
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel Vinum Cuvee Prestige glass. Yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Slightly tight nose with some floral elements with an unusual “burnt toast” aroma and a mix of yellow and citrus fruits. Flavors of yellow apples, pears, some mineral undertones and a little citrus fruits as well. Medium acidity and body. Drink over the short term. Based on current retail price of $18.75 I’d say the value here is agreeable. (90 pts.)
- 1999 Olivier Leflaive Meursault - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
WIML90,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Nose of wet stones, spice and a waxy/paraffin aroma. Flavors of yellow apples and pears with a mineral base. Soft and supple on the palate with medium acidity and body. Nice Meursault. Drink over the short term. Based on a current retail price of $36.99 I’d say the value here is between agreeable and recommended. (90 pts.)
Red Flight
Once dinner was served out came the reds. Reds with a story behind them! What fun to sip this wines and read these stories together while sharing these great wines and fantastic food.
- 1999 Domaine les Aphillanthes Côtes du Rhône Villages Cuvée du Cros - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages
WIML85,WA91-92,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking throughout. Soft spice notes with some leather and a little black currant. Flavors of black currants, perhaps anise dominate. Medium acidity and tannin. Light bodied. Seemed a little too high on the alcohol to me. I’d drink over the short term in deference to the Wine Advocate. Based on a currant retail price of $28.00 a bottle I’d pass on the offering. (85 pts.)
- 1998 Domaine Robert Arnoux Nuits St. Georges Les Proces 1er Cru - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges
WIML90,NOWA,WS84
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Light ruby color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black cherries, spice, pepper and a touch of leather. Flavors of black cherries, a little mineral streak with a little bitters on the finish. Medium acidity, tannin and body. I believe this is the second time I’ve taated this wine (preferred provided it both times if I recall correctly) and I have to say it was drinking pretty well this time. It seems to be in a sweet spot right now. Based on the current retail price of $39.99 I’d say the value here is recommended. (90 pts.)
- 1999 Regnard Pommard - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard
WIMLNR,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Plum colored in the glass, dusty looking throughout. Hot nose of alcohol with some mint and barnyard. Maybe a little red cherry on the palate, mostly devoid of fruit. Drying tannins. This bottle is damaged and/or flawed so no rating or recommendation. NR (flawed)
- N.V. Justin Vineyard The Orphan - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
WIML88+,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of spice, black currants, tar and plums. Flavors of red currants, red licorice, red berries and raspberries. Light to medium acidity with medium tannins and body. This is a better balanced bottle that the first bottle I tasted before. Bumping up my previous rating by a point but you might be able to talk me into another point as well. Drink over the next couple of years. Based on my local retail price of $14.44 per bottle I’d say the value here is still recommended. NOTE: when I posted my previous tasting note on this wine I accidentally posted it as a 2003 vintage. This is really a N.V. wine. (88 pts.)
- 2001 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
WIML89,WA92,?WS93?
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. 15.8% alcohol. Garnet color in the glasss, clear hue throughout. Nose of bacon fat, roasted meat, plum and a mix of dark fruits. Flavors of black currants, black licorice, some pepper notes as well as some blackberries with a little bitters on the finish. This wine is the anti-thesis of a subtle Spanish Garnache! Medium acidity and tannins. Full bodied. Just a little high on the alcohol in my opionion. Has the stuffings to drink well for at least 5-6 years. You might want to cellar it another year anyway to see if it calms down any. Based on the currant retail price of $60.00 a bottle I wouldn’t be moved to buy it but I guess the value is acceptable. NOTE: when this bottle was first tasted 2-3 people remarked it might have a TCA problem but I don’t agree. I think it might have had just a touch of brett but it seemed to be blowing off before I finished evaluating the wine. Also, I believe this is the same wine WS rated as 93 points, thus the question marks above. (89 pts.)
- 2003 ZD Wines Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML90,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of potpourri, blackberries and a smidge of cocoa. Flavors of blackberries, black cherries and sweet red cherries. Medium acidity with firm tannins. Medium body. I’d let this one cellar for a year to see if the tannins soften a little. Drink over the short to medium term. Based on the current retail price of $30.99 I’d say the value here is acceptable. It has the potential to become better with a little time in bottle in my opinion. (90 pts.)
- 1992 Château Cheval Blanc - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
WIMLNR,WA77,WS80
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Red plum color in the glass, dusty looking throughout. Green, vegetal nose that is offputting. Also a little leather lurking in there. Just a little red cherrie notes on the palate, not much else. Light to medium acidity, tannins and body. Disappointing effort. If you have any you probably should have drank them years ago. See if you can sell them. If you don’t own any, don’t buy any. Value is unacceptable.
- 2001 Opus One - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML90,WA87,WS89
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Ruby color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Slightly closed nose giving way to some notes of blackberries, red cherries and maybe some mint. Perhaps even a bit floral with some airtime. Flavors of black cherries, currants and coffee. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Balanced overall. I’d recommend holding another year at this point because of the nose or plan on an hour or so in the decanter. No rush on this one. It has at least another 6-7 years easily. Based on the current retail price of $140.00-150.00 I’d say the value here is unacceptable. COMMENTARY: As it has been said many times before, the only thing wrong with Opus One is the price. (90 pts.)
- 2002 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
WIML91-92, NOWA,WS88
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Light ruby colored in the glass, slight dusty looking. Pleasing nose of potpourri, crushed red berries with an interesting “mocha” aroma hiding in there. Flavors of red berries, raspberries, some soft spices that remind me of a Burgundy and at the finish that interesting mocha flavor. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Well balanced wine. I plan on drinking my last remaining bottle in 2007, no later than 2008. Based on my direct from winery price of $34.00 I’d say the value here is highly recommended. (91 pts.)
- 2000 Shafer Relentless - USA, California, Napa Valley
WIML90,WA92,WS92
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of expresso, dark chocolate and pepper. Flavors of dark berries, plums and spice. Medium acidity and tannins. Full bodied. I thought the alcohol was a little hot. If you don’t agree then add back a point to the rating. Drink over the medium term, say 5-6 years. Based on the current retail price of $55.00 a bottle I’d say the value is acceptable. (90 pts.)
- 2002 Chatter Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Alder Ridge Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
WIML90,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Plum color in the glass, slightly dusty looking throughout. Nose of coffee, black berries and pepper. Flavors of black cherries, blackberries and red currants. Medium acidity with soft, almost silky tannins. Medium body. Fairly well balanced overall. Easy to drink right now I’d say drink over the short, maybe medium term. Based on the current retail price of $19.99 I’d say the value here is recommended. NOTE: This was a “shiner” so I’m presuming the wine is still sourced from the same place as the previous vintage. (90 pts.)
- 2002 Chatter Creek Syrah Lonesome Spring Ranch - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
WIML87,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Light ruby color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Spicy nose with some red fruits and just a little greenness. Flavors of red berries and raspberries. Light to medium acidity. Light tannins. Light to medium body. I’d drink over the short term. Based on the current retail price of $22.99 I’d say the value here is acceptable but I’d likely not buy it myself. Note: This was a “shiner” so I presume this is the same bottling. (87 pts.)
- 1983 Domaine les Pallieres Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
WIMLNR,NOWA,WS88
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Light plum color in the glass, definitely bricking evident. Alcoholic nose. Thin flavor of raspberry. Definitely over the hill. Therefore no rating or value recommendation.
- 1993 Domaine de Trevallon Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Les Baux - France, Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Les Baux
WIMLNR,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dusty rose color in the glass, slightly dusty looking throughout. Nose of green beans, definitely vegetal. Basic red berries on the palate. Seemed to be over the hill in my opinion. Therefore no rating or value recommendation.
- 1990 Château Simard - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion
WIML87,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dusty plum color in the glass, slightly dusty looking throughout. Nose seemed to me what I would normally associate with an aged St. Emilon: some dark fruits followined by some dried hrbs with the ever present underlying leathery base. Flavors of red berries, red cherries and maybe a little mint on the finish. Good balance. Not a stellar wine but certainly serviceable. Drink now. No reason to hold this one any longer. No value recommendation. (87 pts.)
- 2000 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
WIML92,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of blackberries, cocoa, spice and pepper. Flavors of red currants, red licorice and maybe a little mocha on the finish. Medium acidity with silky tannins. Medium bodied. One of the best Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve had from the 2000 vintage. Sticking with my 4 previous ratings of 92 points. No reason to hold this so drink now. Based on my direct from winery price of $70.00 a bottle I’d say the value here is agreeable. (92 pts.)
- 2003 Miro Petite Sirah Coyote Ridge Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
WIML89,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa powder, pepper and blueberries. Flavors of black licorice, black berries and cocoa. Medium acidity with medium tannins. Full bodied. I’d say hold this one another year or two before trying again. Based on the current retail price of $28.99 I’d say the value here is agreeable. (89 pts.)
Sweet Flight
You can't round out the evening without some sweeties.
- 1977 Smith Woodhouse Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
WIML90,NOWA,WS89
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened, decanted 4 hours and then served in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, fairly clear looking throughout. Nose of dried currants, plums and a hint of chocolate of all things. Flavors of blackberries, dried berries and a rich mohagony/syrupy base. Seemed a little high on the alcohol but it was only decanted 4 hours before serving and overall the wine seemed a little young in my opinion so perhaps with just a little more time in bottle and/or decanting it’ll settle a bit. No value recommendation, only because current retail pricing is extortionary. (90 pts.)
- 1971 Bodegas Toro Albala Montilla-Moriles Don PX Gran Reserva - Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles
WIML91,NOWA,WS93
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Dark brown colored in the glass, opaque throughout. I had to laugh, just about everybody described the color as “motor oil”. Nose of burnt sugar, molasses and/or sorghum. Very thick and viscuous on the palate with a heavy molasses like flavor and an in your face taste of anise. This is full throttled sherry. Don’t drink and drive. Based on the current retail price of $32.95 I’d say the value here is recommended. Be sure and buckle your seat belts before opening. (91 pts.)
Many thanks to just a skosh for hosting our event this month. What a lovely and gracious host! Everything was absolutely wonderful. I look forward to seeing everybody again soon.
Posted from CellarTracker | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| skwid
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5452
| | 08/21/2006 3:52 PM |
| | So where are the stories? | | | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 3:53 PM |
| | They are coming shortly. I'll be posting them as I have time to type them up. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 4:06 PM |
| To start things off, here's my story for the 2000 Bressler...
How Wine Came to Bohemia
One day during the reign of Charles IV, a foreign king came visiting the Czech lands. As they do to this day, kings then went all out when hosting each other on visits - and Charles IV spared no expense in entertaining his unexpected guest. One day near the end of his stay, the strange king brought out several kegs full of good, strong wine from his provisions to say thanks.
Charles IV had never tasted wine before (note: rather doubtful if he was raised at the French court, which he was. end note.) and he liked it. He and his new friend drank for three days and three nights, and when they had finished all the wine they were both sorry for it, and the foreign king went sadly on his way with a pounding head, and Charles IV spent another three days recovering from the binge.
All the time he was hung over, he thought and thought about this wine stuff, and came to the conclusion that it was a very dangerous thing indeed.
When he was feeling better, he issued a proclamation ordering all the farmers who could do so to start cultivating the grape - and making wine from it. Then he ordered huge stores of wine for his armies, and ordered them to drink it to excess.
His reasoning was as follows: if his soldiers did not know wine, and know it well - awfully well - then all an invading army had to do was to "roll out the barrels," get the soldiers plastered, bide their time, and then waltz in and take over the country.
And that is why soldiers drink heavily to this day - not because they are no-good drunkards, but because they are trying to build up their tolerance in case of treachery in battle. They are only trying to serve their country, and that is why you should always buy a soldier a drink. (over)
<sound of card being turned over to other side>
Of course the story on the previous page has absolutely nothing to do with this wine but what the hell, it was interesting nonetheless!
2000 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon
November 6, 2003 was the day. It was a Thursday night and a rainy evening in St. Helena. After a full day of tasting wine in the Carneros region of Northern California a group of ten wine lovers that had never met before in person, having previously only chatted online, threw their caution to the wind and gathered together at the now defunct Roux restaurant in St. Helena to break bread together and forge a friendship that perseveres to this day. The Bresslers were our gracious hosts for this evening, gathering together no less than the likes of DavidN & TriciaN, Brent Null & Princess, Winetex & Mr. Winetex along with PURPLE & myself. There was something special about that night that no one could have predicted in advance until we showed up and were thrown into the magic of the moment itself. One can argue it was the five, fantastic courses of food we shared, “breaking bread” together if you would. Others might say it was the phenomenal wines we shared including “bottle number 6” from Bob & Stacey’s very first vintage, the 2000 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon. In the end I’m sure everybody knows it was the people. The friendships that were forged in that short moment in time which last to this very day. This bottle of 2000 Bressler, my next to last bottle, serves not only as a reminder of the cherished memories sprung forth from that day; it is a testament to the value of friendships. I want to share this last bottle with my friends here today so that we can not only share in these memories together but create new ones going forward for years to come.
Cheers my friends.
original edited to remove names. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10796
| | 08/21/2006 4:18 PM |
| | Very nice stories Joe. That was a great evening at Roux. | | | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 4:49 PM |
| 2002 Chatter Creek Syrah Lonesome Spring Ranch
by just a skosh
Crazy girl felt like getting her hands “dirty”. So, she volunteered to help a Seattle winemaker in his “garage” operation. Wonderful experience. Among other things she had to confront her fear of spiders, bees, dirt, chemicals and possible electrocution. Ask her about it… | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 4:54 PM |
| 2002 Chatter Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Alder Ridge Vineyard
by Mr. just a skosh in collaboration with just a skosh
Wanted to see what my crazy wife was up to with all of this alleged “volunteering”. Next thing I know I’m throwing massive amounts of grapes off the back of a truck into a destemmer attached to an old Italian pump from the 1700s. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 5:43 PM |
| 1999 Olivier Leflaive Meursault
by Melia
I’m not drinking any White wine …
That is what I always felt about wine; red is good, white – ugh …
That is, until this year …
I discovered that it wasn’t white wines I didn’t care for … It was “inexpensive” (cheap) white wines that I didn’t care for …
So, as I was introduced to Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch or Newton Unfiltered, least we forget about the Beringer Sbragia … and I then discovered French white burgundy …
Three words describe these beautiful chardonnays from France … Yum, Yum, Yum …
Through Montrachet and Chablis, I have found that one of my favorites is Meursault …
So, I hope you enjoy the 1999 Oliver Leflaive Meursault … I will … ~melia | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 5:51 PM |
| N.V. Justin Vineyard The Orphan
by WineWave
In December 2003 a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit the central California coast. Unfortunately Justin had just started a new stacking procedure for barrels. They all came down and many broke. They blended what was left into the ‘Orphan’.
Edited by wineismylife to add WineWave is a professor of Geology and has a natural interest in earthquakes. I believe he visited the winery and tells the story of how Justin Baldwin literally busted his nose running our of the winery that day to avoid falling barrels. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 6:00 PM |
| 2001 Alban Vineyards Grenache Alban Estate Vineyard
by WineWave
My father and I enjoyed Alban wine together. We split a bottle on his 83rd three days early. A special last celebration. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 6:16 PM |
| 2003 Miro Petite Sirah Coyote Ridge Vineyard
by preferred and Mrs. preferred
In the summer of 2003 we attended our first Sonoma County Wine and Food Showcase. On the first of three days of unbridled wine and food consumption we met the winemaker for Trentadue Winery, Miro Tcholokav. We were participating in the “Appellation Experience”, tasting in a vineyard in upper Sonoma County. About 10 wineries were represented at this stop. It was especially hot that day and only the umbrellas over the tasting tables offered any shade. At the Trentadue table Miro was pouring (among others) a Trentadue “La Storia” Meritage. I asked how he determined the blend percentages in the making of the Meritage. His reply was “I’m just G*dd*m good at it!” This started some back and forth banter between us. As I was getting hotter standing in the sun I saw that Miro was wearing a “La Storia” hat. I just suddenly grabber Miro’s hat, put it on and announced “You’ve got the umbrella, I need a hat!” Miro later in the day was one of the winemakers seated at our luncheon table. We continued our banter and conversation. Miro invited us to stop by Trentadue on Saturday morning for a private tour of the winery prior to the start of the showcase activities. When we arrived at the winery and told the staff who we were she responded “You’re the guy who stole Miro’s Hat!” Another said “No one touches Miro’s hat!” The staff seemed to enjoy the fact that someone stole Miro’s hat!
Miro is now a good friend of ours whom we communicate with and visit every time we’re in California. He is now producing Petite Sirah in limited quantities under his own label in addition to his Trentadue duties. Wine brought a Texan and Bulgarian together!
Edited by wineismylife too add preferred had a picture attached to his story. It was a picture of Miro pouring at the tasting, minus the hat of course! | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 6:54 PM |
| 1998 Domaine Robert Arnoux Nuits St. Georges Les Proces 1er Cru
by preferred and Mrs. preferred
In the summertime of 2002, we (along with two other couples) took “the trip of a lifetime” to France. The highlight of our 15 days was undoubtedly the 6 days aboard the barge “Saint Louis” on the Burgundy canal. Traveling from Dijon to Pouilly, we were treated to three gourmet meals a day with wine matching at lunch and dinner. Our captain, Francois, was a wine lover and informed historian of the Burgundy region. Our daily excursions took us to the areas historic and wine related sites.
One of [the] daily excursions ended at the Robert Arnoux winery. We were graciously hosted by Mr. Arnoux’s widow. We were taken to the family’s private cellar where we were treated to a vertical tasting of their Grand Cru vineyards. Madam Arnoux spoke no English and inquired through Captain Francois, “Where are you from?” We replied “Dallas!” She immediately responded “Oh, J.R!” This wine is a reminder of the elegance of Madam Arnoux, the trip of a lifetime shared with friends and the many new friends which were made in France!
Edited by wineismylife too add preferred had a pictures attached to his story including pictures inside the family’s private cellar. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 8:40 PM |
| 2001 Opus One
by win
In 1988, I did not see the “No trespassing” signs on the road and drove right up to this winery for a taste--they were very accommodating, nevertheless. I helped my girlfriend pick her first olive at this winery--she made me realize that I don't see everything she does--I was just looking at the vines and facilities--they just seemed like nice trees. We came back later and toured the winery and touched this 2001 in barrel when she was my wife. Sure, Opus One will always be a controversial winery....but what memories. Now, with my wife blaming me for being 9 1/2 months pregnant, this bottle survived when she threw it at me. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/21/2006 9:23 PM |
| TexasZin post - cut and pasted from WinoDepot:
Another great DAWGS event. Thanks to skosh and Mr skosh (spelling?) for hosting and thanks to Joe for arranging. One of the coolest things of the evening was listening for an hour to Stuart talk about and demonstrate his audio room -- WOW!
My wine stories: (I'm bummed that both of these wines turned out to be bad this night, but not the original nights)
Pommard (Red Burgundy)
Phil and Judy Marshall
In approximately 1978, we were in San Francisco at a convention and I was being recruited heavily by a Partner in KMG’s Los Angeles office to move out there and become his Manager to run his mortgage banking audit practice. He took us to dinner on a foggy night to the top of the St Francis Hotel and (as 28 year olds) we were so impressed. He ordered a Pommard (not sure of the other details, just remember that) and it blew us away! Best wine we’d ever had!
Chateau Cheval Blanc (Red Bordeaux)
Phil and Judy Marshall
In approximately 1981, one of my clients (actually a good friend/fraternity brother) and his wife invited us to a wine dinner at the Mansion. Several wines were served that night (along with great food), but the only one we both remember was the Cheval Blanc. Awesome! That was our first taste of 2nd Growth Bordeaux and we still wish we could someday afford to drink it more often! | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/22/2006 11:33 AM |
| OOPS!!!
I mistakenly published the Port as a 1997 vintage. It was really a 1977 vintage. I accidentally selected the wrong year while posting the notes in CellarTracker! Thanks to just a skosh for picking up on that one. Here is the revised note:
1977 Smith Woodhouse Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (8/19/2006)
WIML90,NOWA,WS89
Tasted August 19, 2006 at an offline. Opened, decanted 4 hours and then served in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, fairly clear looking throughout. Nose of dried currants, plums and a hint of chocolate of all things. Flavors of blackberries, dried berries and a rich mohagony/syrupy base. Seemed a little high on the alcohol but it was only decanted 4 hours before serving and overall the wine seemed a little young in my opinion so perhaps with just a little more time in bottle and/or decanting it’ll settle a bit. No value recommendation, only because current retail pricing is extortionary. (90 pts.) | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12263
| | 08/23/2006 2:44 PM |
| 1983 Domaine les Pallierres Gigondas
1990 Chateau Simard Saint Emilion
1993 Domaine de Trevallon Les Baux
1999 Domaine les Aphillanthes Cote-du-Rhone Villages
by MikeB
So much wine . . . So little time . . .
There is too little time to spend it drinking bad (cheap) wine . . .
Wine, where to begin . . . in 1968 when I had my first bottle of Wine? A vintage Boone’s Farm Apple . . . Ahhh . . . So much better than the Schlitz all my friends were sneaking out with . . . Of course, there was always wine with the parents; the Mateus and Chianti (in the special clay bottle you would place candles in when empty) . . .
Or maybe when we moved on to Lambrusco . . .
Then in 1971, drinking German whites with escargot and garlic bread . . .
By the mid-to-late-70’s, it was on to French Burgundy . . .
By the early 80’s we drank Bordeaux on a daily basis, as one would drink California Cabs today . . .
In 1985 I purchased my first case of Bordeaux, the 1982 Cos D’ Estournel . . . I drank the last one in October 2005 with the friend that I have been purchasing Bordeaux futures with for 20-years . . .
But now, after collecting (purchasing) more wines than one consumes on a routine basis, if I consider the Bordeaux futures or the ’05 Pinot’s that will be rolling in, I am approaching 2,000-bottles . . . And the one thing that has remained constant over these years is the wonderful (mostly wonderful) people that one becomes acquainted, the friends you find yourself enjoying bottle after bottle . . .
A special wine? They are all special in one way or the other . . . You look in the cellar and think about someone with whom you would like to enjoy that certain bottle or a dinner when you will open that other special bottle, the years go by . . . These wines today, obviously, because they need to be opened . . .
So, I hope you understand (and enjoy) a few of the older, and perhaps out of the ordinary, bottles in my collection that I have chosen for today . . .
It is time . . . It is Now, the one special moment we have . . .
Enjoy . . . ~m | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| texaswino
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2184
| | 08/27/2006 1:31 AM |
| Thanks for all the notes and stories. Sorry I missed it.  | | | |
|
| | You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
| |
ActiveForums 3.7 |
| |
| |
|
| | Proposed Change to American Viticultural Area Naming Standards Monday, March 10, 2008
| Wine Primers - Links to Your Wine Education Tuesday, February 12, 2008
| Wine Country Report: Day trip to the Willamette Valley Monday, February 11, 2008
| VinoCellar's Favorite Wine Links Saturday, February 09, 2008
| Wine Retailer Reports - Thanks Winetex! Monday, February 04, 2008
|
|
| |
| |
| |  | Membership: |  | Latest:crazy4wine |  | New Today:1 |  | New Yesterday:1 |  | Overall:2055 |
 | People Online: |  | Visitors:157 |  | Members:0 |  | Total:157 |
|
|
| |
| |
|