Report from ... The Hobbs Tasting - May 1, 2012

Where has the time gone ... I tasted these wines on May 1st and it is now closer to the middle of June.  Well enough yapping about it, let's see what we tasted and what caught my palate by surprise (In country order of tasting - with selected notes):

British Columbia ...

****+

Tantalus 2010 Riesling ($34.99) - ****

Tantalus 2008 Old Vines Riesling ($45.99) - *** 1/2+

Tantalus 2010 Pinot Noir ($45.99) - ****

Quails' Gate 2011 Chenin ($19.99) - *** 1/2+

Quails' Gate 2009 Chardonnay ($19.99) - ****

Quails' Gate 2010 Stewart Family Chardonnay ($32.99) - ****

Quails' Gate 2009 Pinot Noir ($26.99) - *** 1/2+

Quails' Gate 2008 Merlot ($24.95) - *** 1/2

Quails' Gate 2009 Stewart Family Reserve Pinot ($44.99) - ****+

--- single vineayrd wine from 25 year old vines: lovely spice and fruit meld together.

USA ...

Plume 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.99) - ****

--- this is a project that includes the Zepponi and Stewart (Quails' Gate) families

Chateau Diana 2010 Le Baron Ranch Chardonnay ($24.65) - *** 1/2

Argentina ...

**** 1/2

Gauchezco 2011 Torrontes ($19.99) - ****

Gauchezco 2009 Malbec ($20.99) - ****

Gauchezco 2009 Plata ($31.99) - ****+

--- this wine is made from the oldest Malbec vines in Mendoza

Gauchezco 2008 Oro ($49.99) - **** 1/2

--- a ballsy and well-balance 100% Malbec

Australia ...

Tall Poppy 2010 Hillside Shiraz ($16.50) - *** 1/2+

Campbells 2010 Shiraz Durif ($19.95 - *** 1/2+

Campbells NV Rutherglaen Muscat ($19.99) - ****+

--- super rich and creamy, almost like a PX Sherry.

France ...

Chateau Gaudrelle 2009 Vouvray Brut ($22.99) - ****

Chateau Gaudrelle NV Touraine Brut Rose ($25.50) - *** 1/2+

Chateau Gaudrelle 2011 Turonien Sec ($22.99) - ****

Chateau Gaudrelle 2010 Vouvrey Sec Tendre ($25.50) - ****

Chateau Gaudrelle 2010 Reserve Personnelle ($40.99) - *** 1/2+

Chateau Gaudrelle 1990 Reserve Personnelle (NA) - **** 1/2

**** 1/2

Terroirs Originels 2010 Pouilly Fuisee ($28.99) - *** 1/2

Terroirs Originels 2011 Grand Garant (19.99) - ****+

--- nice mineral and cherry fruit with the right amount of spice; a very nice Gamay

Gilbert Picq 2010 Premier Cru Vaucoupin ($39.99) - *** 1/2+

Domaine Thibert Macon Fuisee 2011 ($22.99) - *** 1/2

Domaine Lafond 2011 Tavel Rose ($22.99) - ****

Chateau Lyonnat 2008 ($26.99) - *** 1/2+

Chateau Lyonnat 1970 (NA)

--- silky and still very drinkable

Chateau Lyonnat 2008 Emotion ($29.95) - ****+

Le Plan 2011 Classic Red ($16.50) - *** 1/2+

Le Plan 2010 GT-G (Grant Terroir Grenache) ($29.99) - ****+

Domaine de Bachellery 2007 Fut de Chene Grenache ($17.50) - **** 1/2

--- seriously fruit driven wine, great balance and excellent value

Italy ...

****+

Stroppiana 2005 Barolo Gabutti Bussia ($66.99) - *** 1/2+

Salcheto 2010 Rosso di Montepulciano ($21.99) - *** 1/2+

Salcheto 2011 Chianti Colli Senesi ($23.20) - *** 1/2

Salcheto 2006 Salco Vino Nobile ($74.99) - ****

Alpha Zeta 2008 Amarone ($51.50) - ****+

--- sweetness of black cherry, plum and chocolate drive this wine

New Zealand ...

Tinpot Hut 2011 Pinot Gris ($21.50) - *** 1/2+

Portugal ...

Sao Miguel Atlantico Red 2010 ($13.99) - *** 1/2+

****

Herdade Sao Miguel 2010 Cicona ($15.95) - ****

Herdade Sao Miguel 2010 Montinho Reserve ($17.95) - *** 1/2+

South Africa ...

Franschhoek 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($15.50) - *** 1/2+

Paul Cluver 2010 Chardonnay ($27.99) - *** 1/2

Spain ...

La Crusset 6 Sombreros 2005 ($36.99) - *** 1/2+

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