Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Mike Smith Tasting

-Hanenhof, Viognier, Barossa, 2005
-Slipstream, Shiraz/Grenache, McLaren Vale, 2006

-Chasseur, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 2006 (incredibly delicious. Great wine, good price)
-Alban, Viognier Estate, Edna Valley, 2006 (unctuous, Condrieu-styled with riper fruit, clean acidity. This wine will be stellar in 4 years)
-Wyncroft, Chardonnay, Lake Michigan Shore, 2002 (this was am interesting bottle. It had a little dirtiness compared to the other wines, but was still a great showing for Michagan state. Thanks to Ricardo for the bottle!)
-Chasseur, Pinot Noir, Russian River, 2006 (also great. Love the Chasseur wines)
-Slingshot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2005 (nice, fell short to the other wines of the evening)

-Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley, 2003 (deceiving wine that really didn't express a true sense of place. Wasn't surprised that the back label said Michel Rolland consulted on the project. It had a certain Pomerol-ness to the wine. It was very good though.)
-Paul Hobbs, Crossbarn, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, 2005 (This was a great bottle for the $50 price tag. Not tremendously unique or full of character, but it was very good and always dependable.)

-Quivet, Syrah, Carneros, 2006 (really fruit focused and a little bit lighter on the palate. Beautiful aromatics of fruit as well as smoked meats and other classic Syrah character)
-Quivet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, 2006 (This is a pretty dense, big wine, but beautifully integrated, great purity and depth)
-Quivet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kenefick Ranch, 2006 (a bit lighter and more approachable in style than the Spring Mountain. It has great fruit, acid, and structure, but not the depth or complexity of the Mountain bottlings.)
-Myriad, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa, 2006 (this was the stunner of the night. It had similar fruit, acid, and structure of the Quivet but much more of it all. It was an ultra-intense, yet elegant, great expression. The Myriad wines are a beautiful expression of place and hand-nurtured, natural wines. I love them.)