Thursday, October 13, 2011

You're The Tops

I can't believe that is has been well over a month, and a strange one at that, since my last post. I have attended some very interesting events, including the Sonoma Harvest Fair award winner tasting and a survey of Argentinian wines. Both were interesting, but paled to last nights Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top 100 Tasting.

Having gone to the event for the past 6 years, I was counting down the days till its arrival. Since there were 100 wineries pouring their wares, I decided to concentrate on Rieslings and wines that I haven't had a recent opportunity to sample.

After starting with the spectacular Roederer Crystal, it was on to German and Austrian Rieslings. The highlights were Joh. Hos. Purm, who were pouring Trockens, Spatlese, Auslese and Beerenauslese. They just got better as you went up the ladder. The trocken was crisp like a granny smith apple, and then added honey and spice the richer the wines got. The Beerenauslese was spectacular and worth seeking out. And these wines were not terribly expensive on a value per dollar ratio.

From Austria we tasted Schloss Gobelsburg and they were also quite nice. Gruner Veitliner was crisp and rich and the Riesling showed great acid and richness with a touch of sweetness. The Riesling was an excellent example of what Germans would call Kabinett.

Most interesting were the two Finger Lake producers who were pouring rieslings as well. They packed more value than anything else at the event. Hermann Wiemar's 09 Finger Lakes Late Harvest Riesling was a dead ringer for a Rheingau Spatlese. It was an intense, rich and unctuous wine that had hints of honey, tart apple and baking spice with a finish that lingered forever. At $24 per bottle, if I had access to a case, I would have bought in on the spot.

Red Newt, and other Finger Lakes producer poured 2 wines, a dry 2010 Riesling that was refreshing and a 09 that was vinted in the German Kabinett style. Both were very interesting, and at $16 per bottle,worth purchasing.

We then went to the Penfold's table. To our great surprise, they were not only pouring the listed 07 St. Henri and the 08 RWT Shiraz, they had a bottle of 06 Grange open. These three wines could have been the events best of show. We sampled the wines in order of oak. First the St. Henri which is fermented and aged in large oak fermenters, it is all fruit with a very nice tannic structure balancing it. A great wine to drink now, and a great value at around $50 per bottle. The RWT is fermented and aged in 100% new French oak and is all suppleness. The fruit is tempered by some exquisite tannins, spice and smoke. Give it five years.

Then there was the 06 Grange. This is perhaps one of Australia's and perhaps the world's, iconic wines. 100% Barossa Shiraz and aged in 100% new American oak, the tannins are still front and center. After sitting in my glass for a few minutes, the fruit began to emerge, along with the flavors of roasted meats and a sleek toastiness and sandalwood. This wine will be a great one. Of course a pricey one as well weighting in at $500 for the bottle.

We then ambled over to Andrew Will, one of the iconic Washington producers. Pouring two wonderful cab blends, they were sleek and fruit forward, yet will be even better in about 5 years. After that, it was over to Leonetti, another iconic Washington winery. Their Walla Walla Merlot was outstanding.

We then said hello to the Seps family, as they were pouring their Storybook Mountain Mayacamas Zin and  Seps Estate Cab. The cab was interesting, but stick with the zins, they are among the most interesting and consistent ones made in California. We mostly chatted about the harvest and difficult it was. In case you are not aware, two days of forecasted sprinkles have turned into several days of real rain. This on top of a long and very difficult growing season. Dr. Seps felt that there will be a harvest and had his fingers crossed.

Next to Storybook was another favorite, Ravenswood. The 08 Old Hill zin was a blend of 75% zin and 25% mixed black woods. Those who know me, know how much I love mixed black woods, and this blend was no exception, it was great.

After that, we sampled some very nice Barolos, some more Aussie shriaz, and some excellent Sonoma Coast Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from Flowers. All this excellence ended with two outstanding sweet wines, 2007 Quinta do Noval vintage port and Chambers Grand Muscat from Rutherglen in Victoria Australia. Drinking this young port was almost like infanticide. This is a great port, and will only get better in 10 years. The Chambers Muscat was a revelation. It is a blend of aged fortified wines with an average age of 50 years. It was very special.

All in all, an interesting evening. Next week is a walk around tasting of Italian wines, I won't miss that!