Michael's Monthly Wine Tasting - September 2009

Saturday was the monthly wine tasting at Michael's Wine Cellar. As usual, there was a range of wines and price points being showcased, along with some light snacks and a pretty good sized crowd.

Allison and I both really liked the new layout, where the tasting tables were on the edge of the store, leaving the center open. We both felt that the crowd flowed a lot better and didn't bunch up as with the old layout. Unfortunately, even with this there still seemed to be a lot of just standing in front of the table and not letting others up to try some of the wines. After a dozen years or so in the business, I know this happens at all tastings but that doesn't mean it doesn't still drive me nuts! (I'm off the soapbox now).

For some reason, neither of us seemed to particularly "into" the tasting and thus didn't take a lot of tasting notes. So, this month's post is mostly going to be the list of what was tasted and whether we liked it or not. We'll try and do better next month, promise!

Table 1 - Transatlantic Wine & Spirits

• NV Roederer Brut Sparkling Wine, California, $19.95
• 2006 Licia Albarino, Spain, $14.95 - Good Albarino that was a bit more full-bodied than we're used to
• 2006 Mer Soleil Chardonnay, California, $24.95
• 2008 Mollydooker "The Violinist" Verdelho, Australia, $25.95
• 2007 d'Arenberg "The Stump Jump" Shiraz/Grenache, Australia, $11.95
• 2006 Bell "Claret" Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $26.95

Table 2 - Premier Beverage

• 2006 Dom. Ehrhart "Vieilles Vigne" Riesling, France, $9.95 - Good Riesling, not too sweet and well balanced
• 2006 Dom. Ehrhart "Im Berg" Pinot Gris, France, $9.95
• 2007 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay, South Africa, $25.95
• ? Rocca Family Vineyards "Bad Boy Red" Cabernet blend, California, $19.95
• 2007 Girard Petite Sirah, California, $23.95
• 2005 Burgess "Vintage Selection" Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $28.95

Table 3 - Opici Fine Wines

• 2007 Santa Alicia "Late Harvest" Muscatel, Chile, $9.95 - I liked this one a lot; very, very similar to a good Sauternes
• 2007 Leitz "Dragonstone" Riesling, Germany, $16.95 - This was another excellent Riesling, but I just can't get Allison into these wines. Not terribly sweet, but just enough. I had the 2006 at a tasting in Cincinnati and wrote about it here.
• 2008 Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, $18.95
• 2007 Plungerhead Zinfandel, California, $14.95 - We've reviewed this here
• 2004 Warwick Estate "Three Cape Ladies" Cape Blend, South Africa, $16.95
• 2005 Elyse "Naggiar Vineyard" Rhone Blend, California, $27.95

Table 4 - Republic National Distributing

• NV Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne, France, $15.95 (half-bottle) - We both liked this one a lot; forgotten how good it was at this price point.
• 2007 Justin Charodonnay, California, $15.95
• 2008 Justin Sauvignon Blanc, California, $15.95
• 2006 Dead Letter Office Shiraz, Australia, $18.95
• ? Summers Winery "Adrianna's Cuvee" Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $21.95
• 2005 Peachy Canyon "Old School" Zinfandel, California, $37.95 - Allison said this was excellent; Peachy Canyon has always been "fruit bomb" Zinfandel to me but she said this was not, and unfortunately I didn't get back around to try it.

Table 5 - Selected Brands

• 2006 Graham Beck Brut Rose Sparkling, South Africa, $19.95 - Very nice sparkling rose
• 2007 Kilda Chardonnay, Australia, $8.95
• 2008 Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" Riesling, Germany, $11.95
• 2007 Gini Soave Classico, Italy, $18.95
• 2007 Hugh Hamilton "Jim Jim" Shiraz, Australia, $11.95
• ? Graham Beck "Gamekeepers Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa, $15.95

Table 6 - Stacole Fine Wines

• 2007 Ch. Thieuley Blanc, France, $16.95
• 2007 Elk Cove Pinot Gris, Oregon, $18.95
• 2003 Dom. de Triennes St. Auguste (Viognier), France, $14.95
• 2007 BenMarco Malbec, Argentina, $18.95
• 2005 La Spinetta "Il Nero di Casanova" Sangionvese, Italy, $18.95 - Lots of black fruit surrounded by gritty tannins, this needs some bottle time but is fantastic!
• 2007 Tikal "Amorio" Malbec, Argentina, $29.95

Table 7 - Southern Wine & Spirits

• 2007 Haras de Pirque Estate Chardonnay, Chile, $11.95
• 2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, $15.95
• 2007 Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $17.95 - A lot of fruit well balanced with some vanilla oak and sweet tannins
• 2007 Qupe Syrah, California, $16.95
• 2007 Erath Pinot Noir, Oregon, $17.95
• 2006 Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, California, $22.95 - Egads! Somebody set of a tannin bomb in this bottle... wow, completely closed down due to the tannins.

Table 8 - Terry Seitz Wines

• 2007 Amani Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, $13.95
• ? Post House "Bluish White" Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, $14.95
• 2007 Bouchard Finlayson "Blanc de Mer" White Meritage, South Africa, $14.95 - Tasty! We both liked this one a lot
• 2007 Bouchard Finlayson "Sans Barrique" Charonnday, South Africa, $21.95
• 2005 Avontuur "Vintner's Red" Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc, South Africa, $11.95
• 2006 Post House "Penny Black" Merlot/Shirz Blend, South Africa, $21.95 - Reviewed here

So, another good tasting. There was a lot of familar stuff and also a lot of new stuff to be tried. As always, we tried to hit the stuff we either have never tasted or have not tasted in a while. The next tasting is November 14. Hope to see you there!

Cheers