1999 Ridge Monte Bello

Wow. The wine had it all. Fruit and earth on the nose and palate. The thing that haunts me is the amazing balance of tannin, acid and alcohol. Simply amazing. 

1999 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow

Tasted without decanting. Big cassis nose with hints of dark cherry and oak. Somewhat aggressive tannins that overpowered the cassis and cranberry. Wood notes enter mid palate with light acid. 

   I expected better, but you could definitely taste the quality. I have absolutely no doubt this would have been what I wanted with an hour or two in a decanter. 

2000 Lafite Rothschild

Nose of cedar first, then cranberry. Nose was medium intensity. Palate of earth, loam and rocks. Acid and tannins are balanced. The mid palate to finish display the nice but not rounded tannins. A few more years will remedy that. 

2000 Margaux

Nose of dark cherry, loam and cedar. Bright, razor sharp acidity. Dark cherry and cinnamon on the long lasting palate. 

2010 Chateau de Pez

Tasted with Shawn Moquin yesterday. Sorry for somewhat vague notes, but wanted to get something on paper. 

   Initially thought that Pez would be too young. I was right. Chocolate, cedar and dark fruit on the nose. Cherry, cedary-oakish on palate. Medium plus acid and tannin. Long finish with cinnamon lingering till the end. 

   This wine could use a few more years of aging, but if you must, serve with a grilled ribeye or an au poivre application   

2010 Carabella Pinot Noir Willamette and Zind Humbrecht

Dined at Huntley Tavern last night to celebrate Joan's birthday. It was surprisingly my first visit to the Summit restaurant. I guess one of my reasons for not going before was because they sell wine. 

   New Jersey is blessed or cursed because of it's outdated liquor license process. Licenses are issued based upon a town's population. This results in a proliferation of byob restaurants. 

   Picking wine for a table of 8 is always a chore. We started with 2010 Charabella Pinot Noir. I hadn't heard of the winery, which was odd because I had spent a week in Willamette in 2011. 

   The wine was typical of Oregon. More earth than fruit. Acidity was medium and tannins were smooth and medium as well. Paired well with sirachia wings, mushroom gnocchi, duck confit pizza and truffle Mac and cheese. (We share a lot). 

   We were going to need another bottle so I ordered an Alsatian Riesling from Zind Humbrecht. The Riesling kind of stole the show. The medium plus acidity proved to be a worthy opponent for the rich eclectic food on the table. The minerality of the wine was the cherry on 

Madiera

I usually just cook with Madiera. That being said, I had the opportunity to taste a rainwater that was really good. Thanks to Nick and his annual wine tasting. Not too sweet and just the right amount of oxidation. Will definitely pick up a bottle for after dinner. Retails for about 15 dollars and will last when opened.