Last Week’s Tasting
From the Sublimely Inexpensive to the Ridiculously Fine

It was an eclectic collection of wines. Enough people liked the dry dry minerality of the Sauvignon Blanc based 2007 Domaine des Huards Cheverny Blanc that we have only bottles left. The 2006 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Chardonnay showed notably oakier than in my first impression below. People liked it nonetheless such that we have only a couple of cases left.
We did not open the Drouhin Pommard early enough, mea culpa, so that it showed tight and closed through most of the tasting, but it unfolded toward the end and wowed our last few tasters. Bottles left.
The Ch Plaisance has shed nearly all its hard tannins and has become a proper, very solid Bordeaux. People liked it very much, especially for the price. Two cases left
The 2005 Ch. Grands Chenes although still quite young, showed its oaky richness. One case left
As well they might, people found Ben Glaetzer’s 2007 Amon-Ra tremendously exciting. It was rich oaky, and very full, the most complete and satisfying wine of the evening. We have just a few bottles left. By coincidence Mr Glaetzer paid us a visit the next day and said that he usually opens that wine a day before tasting, and thought it would last for a decade. He brought with him a sextet of his impressive Mitolo wines , one of which you can read about (and even order) below.
The 2006 Icardi Brachetto Suri Vigin was a perfectly refreshing light red summer sweet. It sold out at the tasting , but we will have more in Friday.

White

2007 Domaine des Huards Cheverny Blanc; Aroma: clean fresh round., mineral; Mouth: Sancerre style fruit clean, very pretty very dry, firm; Very Good 14.99; Mixed Case, 13.49; Case, 12.74

2006 Sonoma Coast Vineyards Chardonnay; Aroma: very heady and rich the suggestion of Meursault honeysuckle, fine acidity; Mouth: big bodied and soft, a lush and textured mouthfeel, then firm acid, clean, notes of guava and a touch of mint, a lot of minerality, fine long sweet acid finish; Very Good Plus 27.99; Mixed Case, 25.19; Case, 23.79

Red

2005 Drouhin Pommard Aroma: firm, very mineral chewy, earthy; Mouth: tight clean racy lighter purely lined, good substance, elegant; Very Good Plus 53.99; Mixed Case, 48.59

2002 Ch Plaisance Cuvee Tradition (1eres Cotes de Bordeaux); Color: very dark brown, orange edge; Aroma: crisp flat some sweet fruit, very dense, firm rounded, opens in the glass to soft mocha notes and spice ; Mouth: smooth very easy clean ripe well integrated oak,a n herbal note, a touch of olive, smooth, clean, with good ripe length; Very Good Plus 16.99; Mixed Case, 15.29; Case, 14.44

2005 Ch Les Grands Chenes (Medoc) Robert Parker - a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon that is much better than its pedigree would suggest. A major sleeper of the vintage, the 2005 reveals aromas of chocolate, cassis, smoke, herbs, and meat, followed by a full-bodied, well-endowed, impressively constituted wine with sweet tannin as well as loads of character and personality. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years. 33.99; Mixed Case, 30.59; Case, 28.89

2007 Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz Wine Advocate -“ from vines ranging in age from 50 to 110 years with yields of only 0.5 tons per acre....glass-coating, opaque purple in color, it reveals a brooding nose of wood smoke, mineral, scorched earth, Asian spices, blueberry, and chocolate. Superrich, dense, yet surprisingly light on its feet, this extraordinary effort will evolve for a decade and offer a drinking window stretching from 2015 to 2035.” $79 Net

2006 Icardi Brachetto Suri Vigin: Bright red. Aromas of roses and raspberries. Very easy sweet fruit and floral flavors with light effervescence. Seamless finish. Very Good Plus 19.99/bottle 17.99/mixed case 16.99/case