October Wine Club Meeting: 14 bottles of wine, 14 people and one large order of Mexican food…

We had another very fun and successful wine tasting this past week (Oct 25, 2007). The theme was Mexican food and wines that accompany which resulted in some interesting wines that were new to me! A big thank you to Donna for setting everything up! She made the night happen! Below are my notes on most of the wines…I “misplaced” the other notes at some point during the evening! And don’t worry, next month’s tasting is currently being worked out and will be something incredible!

Helfrich Gewürztraminer (Steinklotz) Alsace Grand Cru (2001) - $20: Nose: honey, melon, apricot, mineral, a
lot of grapefruit. The wine had a very delicate texture, concentrated fruits and a touch of acidity. Sweet but not overly sweet with spice notes on the finish. Very good. My rating: 90 pts

J&HA Strub Niersteiner Bruckchen Riesling Kabinett (2005): Light, white peach color with peach and vanilla nose as well as a bit of rubber which was off. Very sweet, lacking balance. My rating: 83 pts.

Elk Run 2005 Gewürztraminer: Was quite impressed with this Maryland made Gewürztraminer. Elegant layers of fruit and spice with a very warm texture. Was great with a Chile Rellano. My rating: 88 pts

MollyDooker - The Violinist (Verdalho) - 2006: This Verdalho (a Portuguese grape) showed a great nose of wet stone, citrus and apple. On the palette the wine was an explosion of tropical fruits and pineapple, with a very smooth texture and a great finish. This was my first time having this but definitely will not be the last! Was a great wine for the food, especially with a chimichanga. My rating: 91 pts

Penfolds Kenunga Hills Shiraz (2005): Great nose of smoke, toasted marshmallow’s, vanilla and a touch of coffee. Big dark fruits, sour cherry, lots of spice. This wine was bought for $10 but could easily stand up to some of the $50 or more Shiraz’s I’ve had recently. Very well done by Penfolds. My rating: 92 pts

Saumur Les Pouches - Loire Valley (2006): Consistent with the last time I had this wine (see notes here). Opened the night before, maybe 88 pts this time around but still very good. My rating: 88 pts

MollyDooker - The Boxer Shiraz (2006): Decanted 1 hour. Giant nose of blackberry, plum, toasted oak, and a good amount of spice. I have to say it again…huge nose! The wine had good balance overall and I look for the tannins to balance out in another few years. Ripe fruits on the palette with chocolate notes and spice, with a big finish lasting quite a while. My rating: 90 pts

Montes Alpha 2005 Syrah Colchagua Valley Apalta Vineyard: This was one of the better values of the night. Great fruits with exciting spice and good tannins. Very good overall. My rating: 90 pts

Barbara d’ Alba (Massolino) 2006 (Two bottles of this): First bottle was corked, so we opened another. This wine showed ripe fruits but was a bit tight. Should have decanted it longer. In any case, good wine. My rating: 88 pts.

Razon 2005 Pythagorean Theorom - Spain: Quite interesting nose of Chile peppers, plum, cassis with a touch of orange rind (yes, weird). A lot of great flavors going on throughout the palette and surprisingly smooth tannins. Would have wanted more out of the finish, but again another good value wine. My rating: 86 pts

Marietta - Old Vine Red Lot#44 Geyserville (2005): Another wine filled with dark berries, plum and toasted oak. Great spice throughout, again with pretty forward fruits. Good acidity carries the wine through the finish. Overall good balance. My rating: 89 pts.

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