Springtime al Fresco

June 2, 2010


This was another great get together with good friends at our favorite place, Fresco. We unfortunately were missing two key members; one because of an ornery and very guilty client and the other as a result of some unfortunate medication complications. But alas, we must forge on and continue to gather! Despite their absence, I can't avoid feeling a sense of optimism for new beginnings in this season of Spring. Even within our little group; I am surrounded by the addition of a new (junior) member, a budding new relationship, and the restored health of a friend. Good times are certainly ahead, but here are some reasons for current good times:

Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2008**
Classic bright nose of tart grapefruit, grass, and maybe a hint of gooseberry. The palate was crisp with persistent acidity, showing lime zest and nice minerality while boasting a vigorously long finish.

Talbott Chardonnay Diamond T Estate 2005**
I am not sure if it was me or if this wine has simply not gone to where I thought it would, but on this night, it was not nearly as exciting as my previous experience. Toasty new oak up front and very tropical with pineapple and papaya. Their was spiced vanilla bean on the palate and showed decent acid.

Palmina Dolcetto 2007**
Smoky and darker than I expected, but still had the typical medium-light body and was quite pleasant. Bright red fruit prevailed for this ever consistent food friendly wine.

Siduri Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2008**+
Showing great RRV character with a cloud of dark, smoky, meaty notes that engulfed the spiced black cherries. The palate wasn't extremely complex, but had nice weight and good fruit. This is truly one of the best deals out there for California Pinot Noir.

Pianetta Sangiovese Paso Robles 2007**-
This didn't have all the varietal character that I am typically looking for, but it went well with the food and showed nice bright red fruit.

Thanks for reading,

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.