Sunday, October 19, 2008

Report from ... Portfolio Wine and Spirits Tasting – October 9, 2008

Wines of note from the 36 poured at the Portfolio Wine & Spirits tasting – www.portfoliowine.com

Weingut Skoff (Austria) - white
Sauvignon Blanc Obegg 2006 - $29.95
citrus and grassy with a nice touch of vanilla from the oak aging.

Cellar Cercavins (Spain) -white
Guillamina 2006 - $19.95 (Gewurztraminer/Sauvignon Blanc/Verdjo)
lots of floral/rosy notes from the Gewurzt, with a hint of citrus and mineral.

Bodegas Vina Vilano (Spain) - red
Crianza 2004 - $20.95
spicy cherry, touch of cedar with some herbs and a long spiced-cinnamon-vanilla finish.

Chateau Marquis de Vauban (France) - red
Cuvee du Roy 2003 - $24.95
needs time to sit, but currently there’s a nice cherry, strawberry and tobacco note on the nose and lots of cedary-oaky vanillas and cinnamons on the palate.

Cantine due Palme (Italy) - red
Ettamiano Primitivo del Salento 2004 - $19.95
my wine of the day – a great Zin knock-off from Italy, lots of plum, cherry, mocha with a long plush vanilla plum finish.

Tenuta Sant’Isidoro (Italy) - red
Corithus IGT 2004 - $16.95
spicy yet smooth, red raspberry with a firm cedar backbone.

Domaine de Grand Vallat (France) - red
GAIA AOC Cotes de Ventoux 2004 - $25.95
cedary, floral and quite elegant – there are some earthy tones here but they don’t overpower along with a touch of an herbal quality.

Giant Steps / Innocent Bystander (Australia) - red
Giant Steps Pinot Noir 2006 - $39.95
an elegant Pinot that has sweet red fruit with a steady seam of vanilla – nice balance and good mouthfeel.

Champagne Louis de Sacy (France) - sparkling
Brut Grand Soir 2001 - $85.00
toasty, baked apple and peach pit on the nose; burnt toast and roasted citrus flavours – the usual bready yeasty flavours are also here.

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