Weekly Tasting Notes January 19th, 2011

I spent the yesterday afternoon at City Winery in New York tasting through the Terry Theise wine collection. There are lots of good wines to report on. That will be done as a separate blog entry. In the meantime, keep your eyes out for 2006 Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino. Look for La Serena, La Colombina and Le Potazzine. I was thrilled with the Austrian portfolio, Nigl and Nickolaiof were favorites. 

Suppliers brought their "A" game today so there's a good list here to look at. Please remember that the pricing below reflects what I believe to be a fair price for a product.

2007 Mitolo “Jester” Cabernet Sauvignon

$20 per bottle

Impressed by the depth and concentration of fruit. Not overly extracted but still shows Aussie up front fruit. Love the round finish.

2007 Mitolo Barossa Valley Shiraz

$40 per bottle

Took some time with this wine. It’s rich but subtle showing herbal notes intermingled with fresh blueberry and cherry fruit. Hints of tobacco and mint on the long finish. Very complex.

2006 La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino

$23 per bottle

Yup, we’re gonna do it, the La Gerla official gets an “SG” award. The 06 is simply outrageous with dried cherry and cedar aromatics. Big fresh cherry fruit on the palate with rounding tannins that add structure. A vintage to own and savor.

2008 Jade Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

$13 per bottle

Very well made cabernet from California that highlights blackberry and cassis. There’s a small note of smoke and vanilla on the finish that lingers around for a bit.

2007 Hess Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon

$27 per bottle

Sleeper alert from the 2007 vintage. Was blown away by the wines richness and polished character. Look for black fruit followed by an earthy core that is lifted by ripe tannins to a luxurious finish.

2007 Tamas Estates Zinfandel

$11 per bottle

We’ve been on the look out for an inexpensive Zinfandel. The Tamas Estates shows well rounded plum fruit without being to jammy or inky. Look for just a small note of spice on the finish.

2008 Bersano Barbera D’Asti

$14 per bottle

I’m a sucker for a pretty Barbera. The Bersano shows plenty of floral character that dances with sweet cherry fruit. Lighter style that’s palate refreshing and easy to enjoy.

2009 Laudun Chusclan “Lapiche” Cote du Rhone

$12 per bottle

Well now where going to find out just how good the 09 vintage in Rhone is. If the Lapiche is any indication, start socking away has much 09 Rhone as you can. Look for dark cherry fruit surrounded by earth and black pepper.

2008 Domaine Bel Air Cotes du Vivarais

$12 per bottle

Yum, yum, yum and yum. Syrah dominant with a dose of the Grenache that supplies some real funky black pepper. Look for dried cherry fruit, herb and warm slate. Linear and poignant finish that adds polish to this very complex wine.

2009 Masi Masianco

$15 per bottle

Masi makes the list two weeks in a row. A blend of Pinot Grigio and Verduzzo. The Verduzzo adds beautiful texture and a touch melon flavor to this clean and crisp “Supervenetian” (yeah, we got a chuckle from that too) white.

2008 Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

$26 per bottle

This is now the second vintage in a row that Novelty Hill has made our list. Big, burly Cabernet with notes of pencil lead and currant. This a long finish that highlights vanilla, cedar and dark cherry. Cabernet lovers will love the depth and richness this supplies.