Wine Tasting August 27 ’10

Posted at August 26, 2010

There was a full moon a couple of days ago. Got up during very early morning twilight to this scene out the front window. Our view is out over Legoe Bay toward Orcas Island– compare this with the Legoe Bay Winery Label…uh oh, can’t find a picture of it not even on their website! You’ll have to take my word for it and come by to check it out, we have a framed picture on the wall…it’s a really attractive label, clearly inspired by this same view.

Slow start last week, very laid back conversations with our early arrivals– probably the main reason we do this thing–and then it opened up into a festive parade, lots of newcomers (still no name for ’em, the contest is still open for what to call first-time visitors to our offbeat little wine shop, so keep those posts coming in. What’s that?? No one is posting? Hmmph, “Fine thing!” as my stepfather used to say. )

Among our guests were longtime friends of the don’t see very often variety, which added to the warmth.

Last week I was worried about the Lapostolle sauvignon blanc which I had ordered some while back for some reason I couldn’t remember, and found that several wine publications had given it terrible ratings. On top of that the distributor delivered two cases (thought I only ordered one, having never actually tasted it). As it turns out one critic (Tanzer) gave it a reasonable score and a very nice description that hit the mark exactly. I am beginning to like these latest sauv blancs from Chile; they don’t show the big kiwi-lime flavors of the wonderful New Zealand wines, but rather seem to share a grassy, stony, somewhat floral citrus character and a rich texture along with a clean minerally finish. The other hit was the Storybook 2003 Mayacamas zin, which was showing very well indeed!

This week’s tasting:

Stephen Vincent Chardonnay 08 California $10
A terrific value, the 2008 Chardonnay offers attractive melony, buttery citrus, and tropical fruit characteristics as well as a hint of minerality. Elegant, fresh, and medium-bodied, it tastes far better than its humble price suggests

Stephen Vincent “Crimson” 07 California $10
Firm and spicy, with appetizing blackberry, wild berry, pepper, spice and chicory notes that firm up on the finish. Syrah and Cabernet
Sauvignon.

Borsao Crianza 08 Spain $10
Purple-colored with a fragrant nose of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and black currant. Smooth-textured, savory, and ripe, it has excellent depth, concentration, and length.

Can Blau Mas de Can Blau 05 Spain WA95pts $31
35% Carinena, 35% Syrah, and 30% Garnacha. Purple-colored, complex, sophisticated perfume of toast, slate, smoke, espresso, black cherry, and blueberry. This leads to a wine with a full-bodied personality, layers of flavor, gobs of fruit, and a pure, lengthy finish. It will be at its best between 2013 and 2025.

Wine Tasting

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