Tantalus Riesling 2007
$45
Tart green apple/malic acid with a touch of apricot and peach skin.
Developed a nice tropical fruit and floral nose, with tangerine in the mid-palate.
Well balanced, medium bodied wine.
Jean-Marc Brocard 1er Cru Chablis "Montmains" 2006
13% Alc. $74
Begingings of sous-bois/mushroomy complexity, with notes of smoke and wood. Great acid structure, with a light yeasty, creamy finnish. Hint of browned butter. The delicacy was lost on the smokey Czech beer salami... but still, the wine was intriguing.
Artazuri Garnacha Rosado, Navarra 2007
13.5% Alc. $35
Lively strawberry (fruits de bois) nose. Pleasant acidity.
Uncomplicated, unpretentious, well made rosé wine. Made more for salads and a sunny days, than sausage and winter nights.
Shepherds Ridge Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2006
14% Alc. $60
Aged in 100% new French Oak for 12 months
Oak, vanilla, spice and more oak on the nose. Smooth, well integrated tannins in a heavier boddied pinot.
Much of the pinot fruit was overwhelmed by the new wood. I described it as a beautiful oak coffin containing the dead, flaccid pinot noir inside.
Pentâge Cabernet Franc, Skaha Lake 2005
$70
Nicely dry, with very typical Cab. Fanc dusty tannins, but with bright fruit, that evolved into chocolate aromas.
Bolder than a typical Loire Valley Cab. Fanc, but displayed characteristic green tannins. A good effort... I'm glad to see more people making this varietal.
Apollonio Primitivo, Puglia 2001
14.5% Alc. $50
Chocolate nose, followed by fine pipe tobacco, black tea, raisin and port wine aromas.
Slightly briny with elegant tannins, balanced with good acid. Aromas evolved into soft dried rose petal.
Big wine, but not overwhelming. Most pleasant surprise of the evening.
