What did you drink tonight?

Today it was Brovia 2005 Barolo "Garblet Sue" and Heitz 2013 (2014?) Grignolino Rose. The Brovia was open for business, dirt and roses and plenty tannic (so years ahead of it). The Heitz was intensely red and intensely flavorful, dry but not zealously so; I enjoyed it.
 
1/2 bottle Sunday night, the last half last night. Superb. Minerality and ripe fruit in a lovely 3 or 4 to 1 balance. Complex, deep. Oh, and delicious from the first drop to the last.
 
Last night was my first visit to Racines and began with a delightful bottle of NV Pinon Brut. Much more complex and layered than expected, although that is probably mostly about my ill-informed expectations as I don't drink enough of this wine.

Then we moved onto a lovely bottle of 2002 Gouges Clos des Porrets, which was the perfect restaurant wine. Rich velvety muscles. Benefited from a bit of air, but didn't need much to hit its stride. Some complexity, no obtrusive tannins, all in place.

As you all know, so many great choices on the list but we were more than happy with our selections. And the food was great. Even the 'cheesecake' dessert where we couldn't find the cheesecake!
 
Monastero Suore Cistercensi 2013 'Benedic' Lazio Rosso - 11%. Grapes grown by the nuns, wine made by Giampero Bea. Red blend, but I forget the grapes. Dark rosé/light red. Red fruits, some funk, a lovely texture/mouth feel. Lightly tannic. Served room temperature, but would be nice lightly chilled. First vintage and only 40 cases imported.
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:

You should try the Pinon non-dosé, if you get a chance. It is fantastic.

Duly noted. I'm pretty sure I've had it in the past as I have positive associations. But I don't drink any sparkling wine with any regularity.

Not enough time!
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
Very cool, Rahsaan. Racines does do it right.

You should try the Pinon non-dosé, if you get a chance. It is fantastic.

What winegrrrl said. Pinon non-dosé rocks. It's right up there with some of our favorite non-dosé fizz.

Mark Lipton
 
2006 Bergström Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 14.2%
Spicy, complex nose, with blackberries and tar (would have never guessed pinot). Juicy, ripe, with some alcohol heat. Sweetness > acidity, though alcohol tries to lend an astringent hand. On the positive side, no discernible oak. With food, totally impervious, refuses to interact. That makes me mad. Like if it's not made to go with food, then it's just a vanity project. In any case, not a conception of pinot that I could possibly enjoy.
 
I had saved it for several years after idiotically following Meadows's opinion (circa 2008) about what Oregon pinot to try. In honor of that multiyear commitment I buckled up and drank up. Shows impaired self-esteem, I realize.
 
Ridge Lytton Springs 1999 ...cork fell apart but the wine was hitting on all cylinders and pretty much at peak with Grandma's BBQ brisket as an appropriate holiday counterpart.

image-16.jpg
 
Back
Top