We’ve only done one white wine night before, and it was one of the most polarized evenings we’ve had – albeit one of the more enlightening ones. This one proved to be educational as well, with a varied set of syles, and a varied set of opinions on the wines. Laughed a lot. Enjoyed the heck out of the dinner. … Read More
4 Wines & a Plate – Merlot
Ah, merlot. I happen to be a big right-bank bordeaux fan, so I was looking forward to this one. A – 2007 Underraga Merlot. $11 The cheap ringer. Dusty, tight, light herb, sweet on the nose. Palate showed cran-grape fruit juice flavors, ashtray, and caraway. Smooth, but with an icky finish. 77 B – 2003 Paradgim Merlot. $68 I don’t … Read More
4 Wines & A Plate – September 2008
I love tasting blind. Last night we tasted 5 wines, all red, and had one of the most consistently good showings of wines I can remember. Sometimes you pull the corks and everyone goes ‘meh’. Last night, superlatives abound, everyone seemed to have a favorite – or two…or three. Highlights? 2005 Vina Chocalan Grand Reserva – tarry, cigar, rich, complex. … Read More
4 Wines & A Plate – July 2008
The inaugural tasting in our new dining room occurred last night. 10 tasters. 8 reds. The wines varied in price point from $8 to $77, and varied in varietal, with a mix of new and old world. Lots of variety. I’ve had suggestions from the group that variety is good – rather than exploring variation within a varietal, for example. … Read More
4 Wines & A Plate – March 2008
This time, I was looking for varietals and regions that typically fly a bit under the radar in the roughly $18 price point. Looking for value, as always. We certainly found more character at this pricepoint than at $13. No superstars, but some solid wines, the best of which pleased enough that a few of us will be buying some. … Read More
4 Wines & A Plate – Old World
Yes, the date on the invitation above is correct. I’m a month and a half late posting about this… I’ve listed the wines in my personal order of preference – having made the mistake of not collecting the group rankings from everyone this time. DANG.The standout for me was the Lunae Niccolo V Rosso. I can’t believe the value. I’ve … Read More
4 Wines & A Plate – Thirteen Bucks
Last night was another 4 Wines & A Plate night, and this week was a value night of wines under $13. For the American readers – in Canada, $13 is cheap. Our $13 CAD price-point is likely your $8 price-point. Despite our currency awesomeness. I know. Don’t rub it in. Overall, the wines showed a LOT better than I expected. … Read More
4 Wines and a Plate – October 2007
I feel really lucky to have a group of family and friends into wine enough to keep regular wine tasting events a reality in my life. It keeps me trying new wines that I likely wouldn’t otherwise try, and it assimilates my inner circle into a bunch of wine geeks. That’s really my objective. To assimilate. But despite my darndest … Read More
4 Wines & A Plate – White Wine
Some thoughts about our first ‘Four Wines and a Plate’ blind tasting night featuring white wines AFTER the sweet-drink-buzz [yuck]. We tasted 5 wines blind, 5 different varietals, 5 different countries. They were each the top price point available for the varietal [except ‘the ringer’, more on this below], the top score an RP 96, the top price $80. So … Read More
Just doing some final prep for ‘Burgundy Night’ tonight. 2 Cote-de-Beaune, 2 Cote-de-Nuits. They’re all 2004. Shouldn’t be a flop in the lot, as I’m familiar with the producers, and I can’t wait to enjoy some nuance comparing the 4. Perhaps equally exciting is the menu. I had planned on doing a calf moose loin pairing, but instead, was blessed … Read More