Fresco - May 19, 2010

May 19, 2010


Much of the core group got together on another nice evening at Fresco Cafe. Even though we did miss most of the Laker's game, we managed to entertain ourselves with plenty of good vino and lively conversation. This night was another great example of the un-canny ability of this group to bring a group of wines without any prior discussion that were seemingly perfectly organized for a fairly coherent tasting experience. Having three different local Sangiovese based wines follow by new and old world Rhones provided a virtual full-house, for our enjoyment.

Here is the line-up:

Fleur du Cap Chardonnay 2008
I was pretty excited about tasting this wine due to my extreme lack of exposure to wines from South Africa. But, unfortunately this wine was corked. No new growth in my knowledge on this night.

Foxen 7200 Sangiovese Williamson-Dore Vineyard 2006**
Slightly simple but offering nice bright red smoky fruit and a good match with the food.

Foxen 7200 Sangiovese Volpino 2006**
This wine is an 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot blend and more interesting than it's single varietal counterpart (above). This wine opened up with air and showed a pleasant richness filled with red and blue berries and some new leather for texture.

Palmina Alisos 2007**+
A nice match along next to the Volpino, this 72% Sangiovese and 28% Merlot blend showed a dark rich character of plums and dark berries while a pretty florality floated over the top of it all.

Domaine Monpertuis Chateauneuf du Pape 2007**+
At first, this was a little more simple and one dimensional than is desirable with a CDP, showing plenty of juicy red fruit. With time, some of that meaty smoked bacon came forward and made this wine much more interesting and enjoyable. A nice wine but lacking some of the classic CDP characteristics that I typically am drawn to.

Beckmen Syrah Estate Barrel Select 2002**
Still surprisingly tight and tannic with an espresso like texture on the palate. Though somewhat clinched, this wine had a certain intensity about it, showing white pepper, eucalyptus/mint, and black fruits. Would be worth a try on day two.

Cheers!

0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!

Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.