434-293-3663
434-971-9463
Fax 434-293-9332
tastings@earthlink.net
|
|
|
502 E. Market St. Charlottesville VA 22902 434-293-3663 434-971-9463 Fax 434-293-9332 tastings@earthlink.net |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(This is an old newsletter, click
here for the latest. )
Restoratives
By GEM Yes ~ it has been awhile since the last newsletter, but the post holiday rush left us a skeleton crew (with some of the bones missing at that!), and then Bill took off for France, and, well, Father Time marched inexorably on, as he is wont to do. Now Bill is back; so, without undue prattle, we are back in the saddle! Following the usual winsome new wine reviews, there will be a complete run down on the February Wine Club meeting ~ plus a few words about Valentine's Day Dinner here at Tastings! VALENTINE'S DAY Get out your bows & arrows, tip them with Love Potion #9 (could that be Champagne?), and aim straight for Tastings on Monday, Feb.14th. Yes ~ we will open the restaurant on Valentine's Day (dinner only) and expect all of your usual favorites - Fried Oysters w/ Creamed Smithfield Ham, Pan Seared Grouper, Oven Roast Leg o' Lamb, Osso Buco & Wild Mushrooms galore! And yes ~ tons of excellent Champagne at excellent prices! A word to wise lovers: for those who have to be peripheral, we expect to be busy on the preceding Friday & Saturday as well; so make your reservations early!!
|
February 1 , 2004 In this newsletter: |
|
|
|
Huntington Russian River Valley Chardonnay
2002
An old friend returns to our shelves with a well crafted, value
oriented bottling. Huntington offers a brightly expressive Chardonnay
with clean fruit, balance, and good complexity. The flavors run to the
apple / pear spectrum, rather then big tropical lushness, and carries
along with seamless acidity while dollops of toasty oak notes complete
this appealing package.
(call for price)
Byington Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
2001
A most intriguing West Coast Chardonnay, to be sure! The bouquet is a
melange of fresh cut yellow fruits with citrus highlights suffused by
soft oak and a hint of floral spice. The first sip confirms those
notions, and yet, at mid palate, a shimmering Chablis-like sensibility
takes over to carry through to a layered, mineral enhanced finish.
Byington represents that happy, tasteful intermingling of New World
meets Old World and manages to express the best of both.(call for price)
MacCrostie Carneros Chardonnay 2003
Now we step up to the bigger, rounder, tropically-tinged, flavor
components with this MacCrostie Chardonnay offering. A beguiling and
fragrant nose hints at the marvelously ripe, delineated fruit that is
embraced by new creamy oak. The whole heady concoction is borne along
the palate by a seamless acid structure and the finish is gratifyingly
long. Full throttle Chardonnay without the full throttle price!
(call for price)
Lemelson Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2003
Made from organically grown grapes, this wine's central core of fruit
is remarkably clear and vibrant. Lovely, exotic aromas waft from the
glass, stirring one's perhaps jaded taste buds. On the tongue, this
delicious Chardonnay comes alive with bright, positive flavors of fresh
fruit, honeysuckle, spring herbs and vanillin oak. It is at once
complex, yet lacy; evoking notions of fine Burgundy. If only all Oregon
Producers made Chardonnay like this, the geocentric focus on this grape
would shift north.
(call for price)
Silver Lake Sauvignon Blanc Columbia
Valley 2002
'Tis the closeout time of year for many of our wholesale distributors ~
consider this a bargain alert! Normally, this Washington State
sauvignon Blanc sells for much more money, but the price was reduced to
us, so as to make room in the distributor's warehouse for the new
vintage, but there ain't a thing wrong with the old! The characteristic
grass & hay notions are overlaid with fresh citrus, cantaloupes,
and supported by bright acidity that has lost none of its zing! Quality
Sauvignon Blanc always warrants an extra look ~ doubly so when it comes
in at less than $10 per bottle!!
(call for price)
Michel Coullomb Vin de Pays du Gard 2003
All dark cherries & black pepper on the nose with a complimentary
notion of briary acidity, this wine behaves in the mouth more like a
well made Cotes du Rhone rather than a Vin de Pays. Good depth of fruit
and a fine ever so slightly rustic finish make this a natural pair with
winter fare.?
(call for price)
Carmen Merlot reserve Valle Del Rapel 2001
You know our disinclination for Chilean wines in general. Call it
prejudice, if you will, but most don't remind me of the varietal they
are made from. Here's a stunning exception! All the rich, dark cassis
& cocoa flavors you'd expect from well ripened Merlot, with gentle
acidity in the long finish.
(call for price)
Teatown Cellars Merlot Napa Valley 2001
Hey, all guys, here is a great idea ~ instead of a box chocolate
covered dark cherries, just give your best gal a bottle (or 12!) of
this beauty! The taste sensations will be the same and the happy
effect, hopefully, the same! Napa Valley Merlot this well made at this
price might just resurrect the reputation of this grape.
(call for price)
Tantara Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2002
Glossy aromas of red currants and black cherries dance in the nose with
just the slightest hint of vanilla. This Pinot fills the mouth with
chunky flavors that while thick, remain balanced by good acidity ~
clean & long in the finish. This is yet another example of fabulous
Pinot Noir from Bill Cates & Jeff Fink.
(call for price)
|
|