Monday, May 26th, 2008

Memorial Day Impromptu Tasting with Friends

-Donnhoff, Riesling Kabinett, Oberhauser Leistenberg, Germany, 2005 (excellent. round, ripe, full-bodied, a matrix of minerality)
-Alex Gambal, Cuvee les Deux Papis, Bourgogne, 2005 (very good)
-Mosby, Primitivo, Santa Ynez, 2004 (pretty bad. Void of structure, lacked acid, over-ripe fruit with some alcohol mixed in, and a dash of dirt character.)
-Mount Eden Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mtns., 2003 (good)
-Imagery, Petit Verdot, Sonoma Valley, 2004 (okay, surprisingly void of extract and density, a pretty elegant wine without much character.)
-Lewis Cellars, Mason's, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder, 2003 (Very flashy with lots of fruit and lots of oak. Good but not for everynight of the week.)
-Altamura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2003 (Probably the bottle of the night. Older-school style of Napa Cab, refined and elegant but with plenty of depth.)

The Donnhoff and Altamura stood out.