Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301 |
The Mondavi Reserve is from Napa, that's the one bottle I splurged on. Next to the Beringer the Malbec was the next priciest bottle, the Alluvian was on sale for $16.99 so that may be a good steal if we enjoy it. The only wine I've tasted from the list is the Luna Sangiovese, I threw that bottle in because the 2004 was one of my wife's favorites. I've heard a lot about the Smoking Loons but never tried any, and for $7.99 you can't go wrong. It should be a fun night, I'm sure a couple of the bottles will go down before the party.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
The Catena is excellent. I have several. I think mine are 03's though.
I've had Martin Ray too. We rented a house about four blocks away from the winery and I visited it.. a few times. Good juice.
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 104
veteran
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veteran
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 104 |
TT, Funny you should ask, this is the wine of the week from Wine Spectator's sips and tips: UNIÓN DE COSECHEROS DE LABASTIDA Rioja Castillo Labastida Reserva 2001 (90 points, $19) "Fresh, firm and long. This balanced red offers crisp cherry, cola, vanilla, tobacco and fresh herb flavors, supported by well-integrated tannins that give way to a spicy, floral finish. Drink now through 2011. 15,000 cases made." Also, K and L wine, http://www.KLWines.com are having a sale on the 2003 Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Reserve Cabernet Savignon. $16.99 This is an excellent Cab esp. for the price, great mouthfeel, integrated tannins, nice fruit. I have had this on numerous occassions this past fall, and bought many bottles as Christmas presents. Tom you should be able to find it in your backyard!
DL
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Thanks, DL. I will look for the Rioja Castillo. I appreciate the tip!
Yes, I'm pretty familiar with Columbia Crest, although I may not have had that exact vintage. I typically do try to patronize local vintners, especially since WA reds often provide excellent value.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
I finally put my Vinturi to the test last night. I opened a 2005 Twenty Rows Cabernet and poured an ounce or so into a glass straight from the bottle, and another through the Vinturi. I picked up an immediate difference on the nose. So much so, that it really is a no brainier that this thing works. Not only does it open up the nose, it opens up and tames tannins. Seeing how I didn’t do this blind, I did the same thing for my girlfriend, but I made sure she couldn’t see which glass was which. She picked up on the aerated glass immediately. She didn’t like the wine all that much that wasn’t aerated (she doesn’t like tannins). She did however enjoy the aerated glass, and that was not knowing which one was which. Later in the evening we went to a friend’s house to have a couple bottles with him and two other guys that were there. I brought my Vinturi along….. All three of them picked out the aerated wine. We even did the test a bit differently with the three guys. I poured a glass from the bottle and let it sit in the glass for twenty minutes. I then poured a glass threw the Vinturi and proceeded to do the blind test. Seeing how I had not done a "blind" test, one of the guys switched glasses with my back turned. Again, I imediately picked out the aerated wine. The Twenty Rows was an excellent bottle too… Very nice and less than $20.
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Okay, besides style points, what is the difference between using this thing and just giving your poured wine a bit of a stir with a fork or something?
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301 |
Speaking of good bottles, last night we had one of our bottles of the 2006 Patz and Hall Pinot. I think ‘effervescent’ is a good way to describe it, the wine is very tasty and has a strong clean flavor of strawberry's and cherries. It kind of floats on the palate as if it was a lighter wine than it is. The taste of the wine gets even more pronounced when had with food. I'm going to get a couple more bottles and cellar them until next year.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301 |
Tom, That is too funny, next time I go tasting I'll remember to stick a fork in my wine and stir to see peoples expresions, it will probably start a fad.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Well, you'd obviously want a "special" fork, made of some rare element and designed in a wind tunnel or something.
Seems like the shortcoming of The Venturi is that is aerates all wine the same amount. Perhaps the amount of optimum stirring would vary between varietals or vintages.
Hang on, I'm going to go hire an engineer and work on a patent...
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: the wine thread
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
Speaking of good bottles, last night we had one of our bottles of the 2006 Patz and Hall Pinot. I think ‘effervescent’ is a good way to describe it, the wine is very tasty and has a strong clean flavor of strawberry's and cherries. It kind of floats on the palate as if it was a lighter wine than it is. The taste of the wine gets even more pronounced when had with food. I'm going to get a couple more bottles and cellar them until next year. Excellent!! I was hoping you'd like it. We are getting together with the wino friends tonight and are going to open up a Magnum of 04 Caymus - Special Selection. Parker gave it a 96 and Wine Enthusiast gave it a 97. Before we open up the Caymus, I have a 99 ZD Merlot to drink. Either that or the 92 Fieldstone Cab. I’m not sure which one to contribute yet… choices, choices.
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