By: AJ McClellan
Yesterday we had a great showing of members with some very interesting bottles plunked down on the table for everyone to enjoy.
2004 Sasso di Sole Brunello di Montalcino Riserva – One of our members brought this bottle back from his adventures in Italy. The wine is wonderful, although a few more years on its side would help soften the tannins even more. The nose was full of almond extract with dusty cherry and cooking spice. The palate had a distinct earthy note with firm tannins and a long finish.
2000 Bella Big River Ranch Zinfandel – This is one of the few original Grialeys bottles that we had left. The wine was freshly picked black berries with big black pepper and a hint of anise on the back end.
1996 Nyetimber – This is becoming a classic wine of Graileys. The nose offers up a slight yeasty note with stone fruit and tropical floral notes. The palate is plush and complex with a mild effervescence and beautiful mineral aromas on the back end.
2008 Foley Merlot – A great bottle for the money. This wine is easy drinking with big juicy fruit and a solid backbone of tannin.
2009 Hensteeth Pinot Noir – This was a real treat. This new winery belongs to one of our members and this was his first bottling. The Pinot was firm and bigger boned with ripe cherries and a soft liquorish note. The palate was medium in body with big fruit and a slight minerality adding complexity.
2008 Favia Cerro Sur – A great bottle to have near the end of the night. Big ripe black fruit with great concentration and an elaborate display of floral notes and dark chocolate. A beautiful blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
1995 Elderton Barossa Command Shiraz – This was a real treat as well. The Shiraz was very Australian in style with big eucalyptus, plum, mint, and cigar smoke. The palate was ever changing moving from chocolate covered rose petals to tobacco wrapped cherries.