Sunday, February 24, 2008

Notes from our Open That Bottle Night (from what I can recall)

There were nine of us gathered at Blue Bamboo Restaurant and Wine Bar to share some special wines. There were a lot, and I'm pretty groggy this morning, so I'll do my best to recall the tasting notes. Listed from the first wine drank to the last.

Weingut Dr. Zen Zen Riesling Spatlese Valwiger Herrenberg 1989 - heavy petroleum aromas. I do mean heavy! I swear we could have put it in our gas tank and driven home. It was definitely not sweet. Tom's comment: "this is...interesting".

Helena View Cabernet Franc Estate Proprieter's Reserve 1997 - We were a bit worried about this one, having opened a few bottles of the same vintage some time ago and they were far gone. This one held on though. Gorgeous aromas of vanilla and ripe berries. Smooth and silky on the palate. *swoon*

Mollydooker Cabernet Sauvignon The Maitre D' 2006 - We labeled this one "a moaner". In my humble opinion, Sarah and Sparky Marquis (the winemakers) can do no wrong. This wine was luscious and full-bodied and delicious!

Monte Cristi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2000 - clearly the Belle of the Ball! I honestly can't remember exactly what it tasted like, but I do remember at one point exclaiming "this doesn't suck!"

Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino 1998 - Big. Earthy. Tobacco. Yum!

Neyers Zinfandel Tofanelli Vineyard 2002 - Raspberries, raspberries and more raspberries on the nose. Smooth and silky on the palate. Another yum!

Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1986 - This was no slacker! Berries and vanilla on the nose, oak and beries on the palate. Good body, good acidity. Impressive for its 22 years in the bottle!

Broadbent Rainwater Madeira - smelled like caramel syrup on toast! Nutty on the palate. Awesomeness in a glass :-D

All in all, they were some terrific wines. We laughed, we drank, we laughed, we ate, we laughed, we drank, we laughed, we ate. Now...where's the aspirin for my headache?