Merlot Day.

Today was merlot (and other reds) day at the classes I've been taking at NWS.

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Montevina Amador County Barbera

Covey Run Merlot

Geyser Peak Merlot

Franciscan Napa Merlot

Genofranco Syrah

Francis Coppola Syrah/Shiraz

Penfold's "Koonunga Hill" Shiraz

Bogle Petite Sirah

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In my humble opinion, there was nothing really special about the barbera, Covey Run, Geyser Peak, and Penfold's Koonunga. It's not that they weren't good; they just weren't exceptional. The Sicilian would be a real European training wine - it's thin and tannic with really subdued fruits like any old-world wine without all the consuming soil of a French wine. It's interesting but I sure wouldn't want to have to drink too much of it.

Thank God we got to the Franciscan Napa Merlot. Everything until then was quick and weak and a little fruity. Franciscan, on the other hand, manages to make a decent, heavy merlot (Rambo suggested that their merlot was aimed at cabernet drinkers). Not only are there more interesting and developed fruits, but they are balanced with tannins; as the fruit fades back in the palate allowing the tannins to seem to swell and linger. Really interesting wine.

The Coppola Syrah/Shiraz (Both are the same grape. It's up to the wine maker to decide which will sell better. Apparently the folks at Coppola think that both will sell better.) was paired with the Sicilian, which made Coppola's wine seem even more full and balanced. I noted that it might even be a little bit fat. I should try this on it's own, with some thick red pasta sauce and eggplant parmesean.

The Bogle Petite Sirah could have been the highlight of the night. Well, if I had the Franciscan after seven other wines I might have liked it more. But this petite sirah is by far the most interesting wine of the night. It is sweeter than standard syrah and merlot, inkier and more extracted from those tiny little grapes. The nose is deceptive; it's sort of earthy or organic with dried leaves and vanilla from the oak barells. There's the tiniest hint of cherries on the back of the tongue underneath a inky, jammy, tightly packed wine. It lasts, but not too long. I've got a bottle of Concannon Petite Sirah sitting around here somewhere. Looking forward to it.

California

Spent some time in California. There's seriously too much to type. What an awesome trip.

Spring Trade Show

Busy times at InPlay tonight. NWS put on their trade show, and we the businesspeople got to taste lots of stuff, new and old, from lots and lots of companies. A few highlights of the things I had and thought to take note of:

Raymond "R Collection" Cabernet; Napa

Standard napa cabernet, well balanced fruit and tannins. Nothing extremely special but not dissapointing. Very striking label. I'm thinking Raymond would be a great focus for a wine club.

Lindauer Brut; New Zealand

Probably worth it at $10.99, though not too complex. Elegant bottle from Mumm family. Get it if there's a little room.

Ernie Bosch Stellenbosch; South Africa

This is the South African blend using Bordeaux grapes. Very interesting. I really didn't care for the nose, as it was intense and unpleasant. The wine itself is rich and intense but backs off quickly. European earthiness isn't far under the dark berry fruit and tannins.

Goosecross Cabernet; Napa & Howell Mountain

A friend whose opinion I respect suggested that I try these, and mentioned that I should notice that the Napa is better than the more reserve Howell Mountain (which is somewhere inside of Napa). He was right; the Napa is just stellar and ready to go, while it is harder to judge the Howell Mountain because it's just too green at this point. This would be an awesome bottle to sit on for maybe two or three years.

Another list.

Another Class at NWS. Here's what we had:

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Louis Latour Beaujolais-Villages

Terra D'Oro Sangiovese

Camop Viejo Tempranillo

Concha y Toro Casillero Del Diablo Carmenere

Bodega Norton "Mendoza" Malbec

Baron Phillipe Rothschild Pinot Noir

Trinity Oaks Pinot Noir

Robert Mondavi "Carneros" Pinot Noir

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The beaujolais was as to be expected; soft and easily approachable. Probably would have been better if the weather was warmer and the wine cooler.

The sangiovese was good. I like a good chianti. It's really how you imagine wine will be when you're a kid: rich enough that it's not just juice but with enough fruit that it seems rich. Strange that this sangiovese comes from California.

The malbec was a lot softer than I'd expect. Either it's a lot softer than Septima, or they let it breathe enough. I was disappointed that under all that dark malbec juice was a sort of a funk. Not great.

I've had good pinots. I was afraid that I was becoming a pinot junkie after having a few from the Russian River Valley (Kenwood, Orogony). As it turns out, it seems that I only like the pinots from the Russian River Valley (plus Louis Jadot Bourgogne pinot, but I think I'd like to give that one another go around to be sure). My usual fear is that pinot comes across a lot like a watered-down merlot. Even Robert Mondavi's Carneros wasn't that great. Now I need to try a Carneros Chard.