wine tasting with the roomie!
HAZE OF THE WINE
Wine tasting yesterday at Moe’s Fine Wine’s in Brentwood
WINE TASTING: 2008 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I have taken a slight break from drinking over the past two weeks in an effort to both spare my wallet and my liver, with the latter concern being allayed by the fact that seemingly every newscast these days mentions the benefits of drinking a glass or two of wine (mostly red) every day.
I decided that after taking a respite, albeit brief, from drinking, I deserved something delicious and voila, the 2008 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape!
I love Grenache. I love the Rhone and I really love Châteauneuf-du-Papes. They are the bridge between the old world and the new for my palate. The best examples blend the skill and finesse of the old world with the power of the new, which to me is fantastic because unlike many in the wine world, I do not hate on big bold new world wines.
The ’08 is a beautiful, slightly transparent, ruby in the glass. On the nose, the Vieux Donjon is classic young Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Pretty strawberries and raspberries, lightly smoked game meat, spice notes (think cinnamon and anise) and a gorgeous floral character are balanced like Nadia Comaneci on the balance beam back in ’76.
On the palate, smooth and refined tannins blend with a zippy minerality creating a wonderfully balanced structure for the myriad flavors beneath. Along with the aforementioned notes that are found on the nose, the palate also displays a jam or fruit preserve character that is mouthwatering. A long (45 second) finish rounds out one of the most beautifully balanced wines I have drunk in a while. This is what Châteauneuf-du-Pape is meant to be folks, and at this price, fuggedaboutit!!!
-SAS
Rating: 94+
ABV: 14%
Avg. Retail Price: $61
hazeofthewine: Sold me. I’m going to get this soon!
Last noteworthy wine at Ugo. I believe this was one of the Tuscans….
Sonoma Wine Gardens Tasting
This is the new wine place on the top floor of the new Santa Monica place overlooking the water. We went there recently and did their wine tasting that consisted of about 5 or 6 wines paired with various courses. I definitely recommend this place for the service and the view!
Wines:
Cascinetta Vietti 09
Inception Pinor Noir 08
The table Cab 08
Ruffino 07
Gobelsburger 09
Chandon Rose
Wines this weekend
This past Friday I went to First Fridays on Abbot Kinney in Venice (link below).
http://www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com/
We stopped at a local wine retailer and tried the following three Washington wines:
1. 2009 Kung Fu girl, Riesling, Evergreen vineyard, Columbia Valley - This one was refreshing as a Riesling should be. I would have it again.
2. 2007 Chateau Smith, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley - This was a more mellow Cab than I’m used to, so I wasn’t particularly fond of it. I would say it’s more akin to a Merlot.
3. 2008 Boom Boom Syrah, (99.5% Syrah, .5% Primitivo), Washington Valley - A signature selection from the distributor we spoke with. It definitely had a kick to it! I highly recommend this bottle, and it runs around $17. YUM!
This was my first time to 1st Fridays, and I had a blast!
