Tonight a bottle of 2007 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with some grilled salmon.

2003 Domaine de Chamans Minervois Hegarty No.1
2004 Rubicon Estate / Niebaum-Coppola Syrah RC Reserve

2006 Luigi Bosca Malbec D.O.C. Single Vineyard

2004 Core Elevation Sensation
2004 Carlisle Syrah Judge

The Core was the consensus winner between the two although both were quite good.

Been off the radar a bit, due to a lot of work-related travel. Have still managed to enjoy some mostly good wines in the past weeks, including the "Shiraz-O-Rama" night I hosted at my home with my boss and a couple co-workers. We had the following:

2003 Marquis Philips "9"
2002 Gibson's BarossaVale
2005 Corrina Rayment Expatriate
2003 Rusden Shiraz Black Guts
2002 Kilikanoon Reserve Greens Vineyard
2001 Kay Brothers Block 6 Amery Vineyards
2001 Greenock Creek Apricot Block

Unfortunately, no formal notes were taken, though I did make the following observations:

1) With the exception of the Marquis Philips, which was completely not in the same league as the others, they were all drinking well. The "9" was just too jammy, over the top, and not something I'd personally purchase again.

2) The BarossaVale was good, with a nice combination of dark fruit, spice, and pepper. Still, it wasn't really spectacular or terribly memorable, and I recall it having a bit of a somewhat unpleasant heat on the finish.

3) The Expatriate was exceptionally nice - a really fragrant nose, with a lot of well-integrated dark fruit and pepper on the palate. I'm glad I gave it a 3-hour decant as it seemed to help it open up considerably as compared to the direct-from-the-bottle taste I had upon uncorking it.

4) The Black Guts is a unique-tasting Shiraz in my opinion - kind of dark and brooding, if that makes any sense, with a interesting combination of dark fruit, earth, and pepper happening. Quite delicious with sufficient decanting.

5) This was the first time I had tried the Kilikanoon and it was fabulous. It was pretty potent - full and rich (lots of dark fruit & spice) - but still maintained a silky elegance and refinement. I liked this one a lot.

6) The Kay Brothers is a monster - some serious dark fruit and tar going on - and even with a 3-hour decant this needs more time in the bottle.

7) The Apricot Block, as always, was stellar and easily my #1. Certainly one of my all-time favorite Shirazes.

quote:

Originally posted by xhoser:
Tonight a bottle of 2007 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with some grilled salmon.

How did it work out? I'm thinking of pairing the '06 with salmon tomorrow night.

At Graziano's in Miami last night, with a delicious filet mignon...

2004 Oreno
2001 Finca Dofi
2003 Finca Dofi

They have a fabulous wine list in the main restaurant. Even better - their 'Wine Lovers' pricing gives you wines at close-to-retail prices. Works out even better than paying corkage for BYO.

Prior to and during dinner last night:

2007 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages
2000 Guiseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja
2003 Justin Isosceles Reserve
NV Jonsey Port
2006 Jorge Ordonez & Co. Victoria (No.2)

quote:

Originally posted by Primordealsoup:

quote:

Originally posted by xhoser:
Tonight a bottle of 2007 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with some grilled salmon.

How did it work out? I'm thinking of pairing the '06 with salmon tomorrow night.

Primordeals,

I thought it worked quite well given that the wine is more delicate than some Pinots and opened up nicely after about 30-45 minutes.

2006 Loring Cargasacchi Vineyard.

No Vodka toothbrush for me tbird

2003 Beaux Freres Belles Soeurs

quote:

Originally posted by xhoser:

quote:

Originally posted by Primordealsoup:

quote:

Originally posted by xhoser:
Tonight a bottle of 2007 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with some grilled salmon.

How did it work out? I'm thinking of pairing the '06 with salmon tomorrow night.

Primordeals,

I thought it worked quite well given that the wine is more delicate than some Pinots and opened up nicely after about 30-45 minutes.

It's actually the 2005 that I am eyeing for tomorrow. Maybe a 1hr decant is in order?

as of late:
2003 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese ***
N.V. Hardys Whiskers Blake Tawny Port
N.V. Leacock Madeira Malmsey Rainwater
2004 Two Hands Shiraz Lily's Garden
N.V. Alvear Montilla-Moriles Cream
2007 Kermit Lynch Côtes du Rhône
N.V. Riondo Prosecco Veneto IGT
2003 Outpost Petite Sirah

taking to offline tomorrow night:
2003 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch
2003 Gemstone Facets

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
taking to offline tomorrow night:
2003 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch
2003 Gemstone Facets

Plese post your impressions on the Tasting Notes thread. I last had this a couple of years ago and thought that it needed at least a couple more years. I'm interested to hear how it it doing.

Retail tasting this evening:

2007 Beaux Freres Williamette Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Beaux Freres Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir
2007 Beaux Freres Upper Terrace Pinot Noir

06 cakebread zin

quote:

Originally posted by Sharkey:
Retail tasting this evening:

2007 Beaux Freres Williamette Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Beaux Freres Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir
2007 Beaux Freres Upper Terrace Pinot Noir

In general how were they Sharkey? The few 2007s I've tasted to date have been thin and acidic.

N.V. Schramsberg Vineyards Mirabelle Brut Rose

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:

In general how were they Sharkey? The few 2007s I've tasted to date have been thin and acidic.

The WV was good. The BF and UT have the potential to be very good. I put the WV at 88 - 90, the BF at 90 - 92 and the UT at 91 - 94. As expected, these will need time. The WV will probably be very approachable in about 3 years. My guess is that the BF will need another 5+ and the UT is a bit a crap shoot; it may need another 8 - 10 years to hit peak. My biggest issue is price. At $43, $73 and $77 retail, respectively, there are other Oregon Pinots out there (even '07's) that are just as good at significantly lower price points.

1995 Duval-Leroy Champagne Femme de Champagne (TN posted)
N.V. Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Réserve

Thanks Sharkey.

2005 Domaine de Grand Veneur, CdP, Les Origines (young, but excellent and this is going to be good stuff)

2006 Palacios Les Terrasses Priorat

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
06 cakebread zin

how was this? i'm super curious, but i don't often spend $50 on zin

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
2005 Domaine de Grand Veneur, CdP, Les Origines (young, but excellent and this is going to be good stuff)

What a waste, but no surprise. Too bad you won't have any in ten years when it's ready.

danny, how was that Les Terrasses?