Erie Avenue Blind Tasting - December 2006

Well, it wasn't on Erie Avenue and it wasn't blind but it was the old group. I can't tell you the location as it would be illegal to consume more than 4 two-ounce servings per person per day, but the pool table was in action and the late night DVD was screaming, particularly Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps, at concert level decibels.

And I was hoping to perform double duty for Wine Blogging Wednesday as we started with a magnum of Duval Leroy's Paris, but I just read the fine print and the theme is any Sparkler but Champagne. Details, details!!

All the bottle shots are on my album at SmugMug. Here is the wine list with brief comments:

• NV Duval-Leroy Paris Brut Champagne ($100) -- Nothing like starting the evening with a Mag of good bubbly. Toasty notes with soft bubbles and a great looking bottle.
• 1974 Beaulieu Vineyard BV Estate Bottled Georges de Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($75) -- Had this baby shipped in last week. Color was almost brown as the fruit and flavor were mostly gone but had an appealing almost carmelized note. Held up for several hours before fading.
• 2002 Claude Dugat, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru - Labaux St. Jacques ($120) -- Robert Kacher Selections. Very drinkable now but would improve with age. Full-bodied.
• 1986 Clos Pegase Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon -- From a local cellar, this wine had I think peaked but had lots of fruit and even held up the next day. Elegant!
• 2000 Delectus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon -- Full-bodied fruit and long finish with elegance.
• 1997 Antinori, Tignanello ($70) -- 80/20 Sangiovese and Cab with 14 months in oak. Chewy. I gave it 4 stars and ordered the last bottle of 2001 from the warehouse.
• 2001 Blankiet Estate, Paradise Hills Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon -- Not in Ohio, from a mailing list from a very small producer. Very big and smooth. Typical 2001 that will last for years if I can find some more!
• 1999 Domaine de la Terre Rouge, Ascent Sierra Foothills Syrah ($80) -- I was bored waiting for everyone to show up so I pulled this one from the back room. It is Terre Rouge's best wine and is big and subtle and smooth and long lasting. Syrah is my new favorite varietal as it can be enjoyed by itself or with food and each winemaker can express their creativity.
• 2002 Penner-Ash, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($50) -- This wine was plucked from the shelves as the pool game and concert was still roaring. Big Pinot with long finish. Not subtle.