Another fruitful day in the pursuit of quality wines! Today was even better than yesterday, featuring visits from Grapevine, Rosenthal Importer, and Winemonger. After tasting yesterday, I kind of just needed a beer... Today, I am inspired to drink some great wine tonight! Thanks!
Perhaps you don't know the names of these companies I'm throwing out? Grapevine specializes in Pinot and Chard domestically from small producers in the US. They also represent some amazing European wines that are near impossible to get - Pingus, Rayas, etc. Neal Rosenthal imports very traditional wines from Europe and reminds me how wonderful wine is everytime I have a tasting. Lastly, Winemonger has a very small portfolio of some fantastic Austrian wines as well as Italian.
The Sommelier Quick Recap of great finds from the day:
Morgan 'Highlands' Chardonnay 2008: Talk about a Chardonnay that hits all the right spots. Almost as if they had a recipe and executed it perfectly so it was everything to everyone. It has oak, but just enough. Ripe fruit, but not over the top. 50/50 apple and pear with spice and some pineapple. It's almost freakish how typical it is, but in a good way.
Domaine Cheveau Macon Solutre Pouilly 2008: Very generous fruit with strong minerality. Attacks almost like a Vouvray with an illusion of sweetness, but it's completely clean. Then it becomes Burgundian Chardonnay. Long finish - it just goes! Very impressive wine with only 250-ish cases imported.
Gerard Viognier 2008: I don't know many people who choose Viognier to drink, but I would probably drink this in the right setting. It's completely balanced and not over the top, showing classic peach and orange blossom flavors, without the schlocky tiring viscosity. Not too bitter on the finish either. Very impressive for a Vin de Pays.
Montpertuis Cote du Rhone 2008: This is better than many of the 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes I've had and I'd choose a glass of this Cote du Rhone over them. Classic! Chalky mineral and structured showing primarily red fruits peppered with black. Perfumey with lavender and flowers. Tinge of pepper. This is an awesome value wine!
Gritsch 'Kalmuck' Gruner Veltliner 2009: I adore Gruner and this hit the spot for me. Also, my first of the 2009's which is very promising. Radish on the nose leads into peach over grapefruit flavors with the blast of white pepper. Round and friendly on the fruit for first-time GruVe drinkers, but terrific mineral and complexity for afficionados. Great product!
San Francesco, Ciro Rosso Classico 2007: I was ready to buy the sample bottle from her so I could keep drinking it! 100% Gaglioppo aged in stainless steel (no oak at all!!!). Just a beautiful perfumey nose: fresh and floral with old-school red/black fruits. On the palate, astringent black tea steeped just a little too long, providing chalky tannin, black pepper. I can't wait to pour this by the glass. No one is going to know what it is, but the people who want to experiment will be magnificently rewarded.
Finding some great stuff so far! Very inspiring. The search continues... I can't wait to share some of it with you soon!
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