Wine Tasting January 29 ’10

Posted at January 27, 2011

Congratulations to our friends at Willows Inn and new chef Blaine Wetzel for their recent listing in a New York Times article entitled “10 Restaurants Worth a Plane Ride,” and yes, that means the Whole World! So if you are flying in for a few days from Tokyo or Capetown or Peoria, remember we have a great selection of wines from Washington and around the world!

Last week’s 2010 reopening was pretty quiet. I have a feeling that my Thursday night post didn’t go out, and that many of you didn’t get it till Saturday…and who reads email on Saturday?

“Quiet” at our place translates to low key and conversational– sometimes it does get loud and, as in restaurants, everyone raises their voices a little at their tables to be heard, which makes ambient noise louder, which makes everyone speak a little louder…a reinforcing feedback loop. But not last week.

I am noticing some resistance by the locals to the charms of our local Legoe Bay wines. I really enjoy the new viognier release, which we poured last week, and consider it our default white at home, it’s such a bargain. But being the only winery on this little island, all the locals have had lots of it over recent years, and perhaps it is true that familiarity breeds a certain insensitivity. Personally, I think it is a great wine for the price.

The La Quercia aglianico is another favorite, and it also was showing very well; this is another great wine for the price, and worth loading up on–only a case left, and unlikely to see more this year. But I think the hit of the day was our little Cotes de Rousillon from Domaine Gardies. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan, it has reached a lovely stage in its development and was showing really well, preferred by many to the Sheridan Mystique, which will probably need another year of bottle age to hit its stride. Definitely recommended for some cellaring, but it got a great rating, so don’t wait too long!

Had a few happy faces for our “back in the saddle” weekend:

This week’s wines:

Domaine du Salvard Cheverny sauv blanc 08  France      $12
Shows a pronounced thyme note, with good nerve to the lime flavor on the back end.

Tarima monastrell 09    Spain       $10
100% Monastrell sourced from 25-35 year old vines and raised in stainless steel with lees stirring. Medium crimson-colored, the nose reveals fragrant blueberries and underbrush. Firm on the palate with plenty of savory fruit

O’Shea Scarborough “The Rebel” Cab  ‘07   Washington      $14
Lots of juicy black cherry, black currant, and blackberry, with a deep note of bitter chocolate on the finish, new wines from a favorite young winemaking team, Travis and Darryn.

Belguardo Bronzone Morellino 04    Italy     $20
Lots of coffee and ripe fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, thick and silky, with lots of fruit and a long, flavorful finish. It’s all there for a Morellino. Sangiovese and Alicante Nero.

Wine Tasting

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