Playing Catch-up pt. 3

MIDWEST WINE AND FOOD EXPO

There was a major wine tasting. I walked around and tried all of these wines, which were only about a fourth of what was available. Seriously, I had to skip major sections just to get to everything I wanted to try. Most I remember; some I don’t. I had to spit a lot. It turns out you can taste a lot of wines that way, but you’ve got to be careful to still clear that palate during a long string of heavy reds.

The notes in italics are any notes I had the time to scribble down while balancing my papers and wine glass.

Henriot Champagne Blanc NV
Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Binyamina Chardonnay 2005 -standard
Binyamina “The Cave” 2003
Carmel Hamasrek “The King’s Blend” 2003 -ok
Tapestry Shiraz 2004

Evans & Tate Chardonnay 2004
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 -surprisingly good
Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2004
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005 -meh
Ch. Bonnet Blanc 2005
Mouton Cadet Blanc 2005 -fresh
Ch. Graville Lacoste 2005
Ch. Carbonnieux Blanc 2003
Bellevue la Mongie Rose 2005
Ch. Doisy Vedrines 2003
Ch. Bernadotte 2003
Ch. La Lagune 2003
Ch. Poujeaux 2003
Ch. Beycheville 2003
Ch. Lagrange 2003
Ch. Gruaud Larose 2003
Ch. Pibran 2003
Ch. Grand Puy Ducasse 2003
Ch. Clerc Milon 2002
Ch. Meyney 2003
Ch. Phelan Segur 2003
Haut Marbuzet 2003
Las Brisas 2005 -refreshing after all that Bordeaux
Nora 2005
Gelida Cava “Brut Exclusive” 2002
Borsao Rose 2005
Garnacha de Fuego 2005
Luzon 2005 -I think I don’t like grenache
Cycles Gladiator Pinot Grigio 2005 -sticky sweet
Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir 2005
Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 -okay
Hugo Gruner Veltliner 2005
Mettler Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 -beautiful
Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet 2003
Mettler Petite Syrah 2003
“J” Sparkling 2000
Two Hands Angel’s Share Shiraz 2005 - :)
Laurent Perrier Rose NV
Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle NV
Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Wishing Tree Shiraz 2004
Hewitson Miss Harry GSM 2004
Shoo Fly Shiraz 2004 - :(
d’Arenberg Coppermine Cabernet 2003
d’Arenberg Laughing Magpie 2004
d’Arenberg Ironstone Pressing 2003
Chateau Tayac Margaux 2000
Marquis Philips Shiraz 2004
Parson’s Flat Shiraz/Cab 2004
Paringa Sparkling Shiraz 2004 -gross as hell
Hawk Crest “Red Hills” Cabernet 2004
Stag’s Leap “Artemis” Cabernet 2004 -rough
Stag’s Leap “Fay” Cabernet 2003 -tight
Raymond Reserve Cabernet 2002
Rosenblum San Francisco Bay Zin 2004
Rosenblum Paso Robles Zin 2004
Rosenblum Vintner’s Cuvee Syrah 2004
Rosenblum Heritage Clones Petite Syrah 2004
Kenwood Artists Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Fisher Coach Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Girard Red 2002 -soft

Piper Heidsieck Brut NV
Merryvale Starmont Cabernet 2003
Merryvale Profile 2002 -supple
Sterling Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Zind Humbrecht “Zind” 2003
Ramey Chardonnay, Hudson 2003
Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Conundrum 2005
Stag’s Leap Winery Cabernet 2003
Lorentz Pinot Blanc Reserve 2005 - :(

Lorentz Riesling Reserve 2005
Lorentz Pinot Gris Reserve 2005
Lorentz Gewurztraminer Reserve 2004
Domaine Parent Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2003
BR Cohn Olive Hill Cabernet 2001
Merques de Casa Concha Cabernet 2004
Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2003
Allegrini Amarone 2001 - :) !!!
L de Lyeth Cabernet 2004
Lyeth Meritage 2003
Hayman & Hill Cabernet 2003
Hayman & Hill Pinot Noir 2005
Hartwell Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Cloud 9 “Seity” Zinfandel 2004 -excellent

X-Winery X-Red 2004
Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2005
Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre 2004
Consentino “The Zin” 2004
Consentino “Cigar Zin” 2005
Consentino Napa Cabernet 2002
Ferrari Carano Cabernet Savignon 2003
Ferrari Carano Siena 2003
Beringer Reserve Cabernet 2002
Chateau St. Jean California Cabernet 2003 - :(

Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages 2002 - :)
Franciscan Magnificat 2002
Estancia Meritage 2003
Cerreto Barolo Zonchero 2001 -no
Newton Claret 2003
Chandon Chardonnay 2004
Moet Nectar NV
Moet White Star NV
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV
Ruinart Blanc de Blanc NV
Chandon Etoile NV
Baron Herzog Cabernet Jeunesse 2005 – ewwwww
Baron Herzog Special Reserve Cab/Syrah 2002
Barkan Reserve Cabernet 2002
Barkan Petite Syrah 2004 – soft and fleshed out

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MARGAUX

I also had the opportunity (at the same event) to sit through a Bordeaux seminar, specifically through some of the greatest Margaux. My notes, cleaned up for the internet:

Cantenac Brown 2003
N – Plum jam, almost raisin-like burn.
M – Supple and smooth, partially full mouthfeel, healthy.

Prieure Lichine 2003
N – Dustier, with vanilla and oak, berries.
M – Something young, modest. Needs age.

Lascombes 2001
N – Big fruit…plenty of merlot.
M – Vegetation under the fruit. Tight and tannic.

Rauzan Segla 2003
N – Vanilla and floral scents.
M – Too much oak. Not much else, some understated fruit. Massive tannins.

Palmer 1999
N – Subtle. Perfume; delicate fruit and pollen.
M – Massive tannin. Very rich.

Margaux 1999
N – Deep red fruits – raspberry, plum, cassis.
M – Dust, underripe berries. Fantastic, and it still feels boldly young after seven years.

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Needless to say, my lips were bluish purple the day after this tasting.