Live from Toledo - Part 1

I left Sunday morning with 6 full bottles of red and 12 full bottles of white made up from remains of the two nights. This is going to make some very nice 10th anniversary We Will Always Have Toledo vinegar.
 
originally posted by Kim Adams:
I left Sunday morning with 6 full bottles of red and 12 full bottles of white made up from remains of the two nights. This is going to make some very nice 10th anniversary We Will Always Have Toledo vinegar.

Excellent, Kim! Perhaps you'll get enough to distibute in 375 ml bottles at a future event.

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by MLipton:
originally posted by MarkS:
UPDATES!!! WE WANT UPDATES!!!

Tonight, my fanbois, your requests will be fulfilled.

Mark Lipton

The largest task remaining, actually, is to come up with a suitable title, one sparkling with wit and oblique allusions that captures the zeitgeist while at the same time providing a tantalizing hint of the wines to follow. Any suggestions? I'm thinking right now of "Toledo - Day 2"

Mark Lipton
 
As Mark noted, we arrived late on Friday. As a result, I jumped into the middle of greetings and tasting and didn't take notes. The next day I did record a few (admittedly limited) recollections of highlights:

I emphatically agree that the 1999 Geyserville was excellent. The Petite Sirah component made a nice complement to the Zinfandel's berry flavors, and it was at a really nice stage in its development. I also enjoyed the 1999 Joguet Chinon, which I tasted about the same time and which more than satisfied my Cabernet Franc jones.

I tasted the 1999 Gros Frre et Souer Vosne-Romane not long after I arrived, and based on that taste, it was one of my favorites of the night. It was then showing black cherry and an earthy, mushroom note. However, I tasted it again two hours later and found it overly barnyardy/bretty/yucky, and that from someone who doesn't object to some brett. Interesting what air and temperature change can do to a wine.

Having three 2006 St. Joseph wines allowed a nice comparison. I found the Otheguy to have the most exotic nose, which had an herbal note that reminded me of oregano. This was probably my favorite of the three. The Gripa had berries and floral notes on the nose, but was hard and tannic on the palate. I didn't get much of anything out of the Souhaut, which was too young and tight for me. Damn, and I was looking forward to finding out what attitude tasted like. I'd like to taste this trio again in about five years.

Finally, the Jura-fest was a treat. The 2007 Overnoy/Houillon Poulsard was bright, crisp, and beautiful; it was different in profile from the 2006 the following night. I brought the 2000 Puffeney Poulsard, which I thought had oxidized, though there were hints of hints of fruit remaining. Orange wine indeed. I was surprised at how tannic this was. My favorite of the Puffeneys was the 2004 Trousseau, though. I didn't note any details, just a bunch of exclamation marks, and I'd be happy if I had multiple bottles in the cellar.

I'm going to try to extract some more detailed observations from my Saturday notes, but given how long it takes me to write anything and the other demands on my time, let me say here that Toledo is a terrific experience. It's a great contingent of interesting, knowledgeable, and generous folks, a number of whom are excellent cooks. Thanks to everyone involved. Oh, and the obligatory reference in any discussion of Toledo: Teri and I have converted to the cult of Black Raspberry Chip...
 
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