Started off the day with . . .
Mantanzas Creek, Sauvignon Blanc, 2007
Mantanzas Creek, Chardonnay, 2006
Mantanzas Creek, Pinot Noir, 2006
Mantanzas Creek, Merlot, 2005
Arrowood, Viognier, 2006
Arrowood, Chardonnay, 2005
Arrowood, Syrah, 2003
Arrowood, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
Sineann, Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2007
Brandbourg, Pinot Noir, Umpqua, 2006
Anam Cara, Pinot Noir Reserve, Willamette, 2005
Gramercy, Syrah, Lagniappe, WA, 2006
Owen Roe, Ex Umbris, Syrah, Columbia Valley, WA, 2007
All the wines above were good, especially Sineann and Owen Roe.
Hodge Podge
I knew it would happen sooner or later. Instead of the Hodge Podge being about sharing great wines with people who appreciate great wine, it turned into a display of shockingly mediocre, and dare I say, undrinkable wine. Even more surprising, some people liked all the wines!
I'm afraid that the sad truth may be that I am the one who is now jaded. Perhaps I have become the wine snob I always swore I would never become. Or perhaps grocery store wine produced by the millions of cases is not even palateable for a non-professional. Alas, I did not stand alone in my judgement of the wines last evening. Many of the tasters were too appaulled at the low quality of wines, some of which were produced by reputable producers . . . and then others produced by casino resorts and spas. Check the list below.
Some wines, like the Lebanese and the Hug, were truth attempts at bringing interesting wines and pushing the envelope of our palates. Others, were just completely "flacid" (to use Evelyn's term), uninteresting, and sad examples for what winemakers spend their lifes doing.
There was 1 or 2 saving graces in the evening, but all in all it was the poorest showing yet for a Hodge Podge.
Here are the wines. Can you guess which were the highlights?
Martin Weyrich, Reserve Nebbiolo, Paso Robles, 2004
Casillero del Diablo, Carmenere, Chile, 2007
Hug, Mourvedre, Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, 2007
Hill Family, The Barrel Blend, Napa, 2005
Vino Sin Ley, Monastrell, Spain, 2006
Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, Merlot, Central Coast, 2005
Donavan-Parke, Pinot Noir, California, 2007
Hedges, Three Vineyards, Columbia Valley WA, 2006
Massaya Classic, Cinsault/Cab Sauv/Syrah, Lebanon, 2006
Inama Vin Soave, Soave Classico, Italy, 2005 (this was perhaps the Wine of the Night)
Quilceda Creek, Red Wine, Columbia Valley, 2004 (also a contender for the WOTN)
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2 comments:
Well put, David! "Hodge Podge" is learning about new and interesting wines with like-minded souls. Uninspiring wines and/or tasters intent on inebriation need not apply!
I don't mean to burn anyone, but let's just say that the "Hodge Podge" spirit (something that I'm very proud of) was lost on this night. No worries.
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