Serving Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC, and Vicinity
www.awstriangle.org
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Triangle Chapter, American Wine Society
Serving Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC, and Vicinity www.awstriangle.org |
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The highest ranking wine in each tasting is
highlighted.
Average Score Interpretation: 12-14 Good, 15-17 Excellent, 18+
Extraordinary.
| Wine | Price* | Average Score | Rank |
| Hinnant Norton 2006 | $11 | 11.7 | 9 |
| Stone Hill Winery Norton 2002 | $20 | 13.7 | 3 |
| Chrysalis Vineyards Norton 2000 "Locksley Reserve" | $35 | 13.1 | 7 |
| White Hall Vineyards Touriga 2007 | $19 | 13.1 | 6 |
| Pisano RPF Tannat 2006 | $16 | 13.2 | 5 |
| Domaine Brana Irouleguy 2007 "Ohitza" | $18 | 11.9 | 8 |
| Quinta de Ventozelo 2005 Touriga Nacional | $18 | 14.4 | 2 |
| Ch. Labranche - Laffont Madiran 2006 "Vieilles Vignes" | $27 | 13.3 | 4 |
| Quinta do Vale Meao 2005 | $70 | 15.0 | 1 |
| Wine | Price* | Average Score | Rank |
| 2009 Man Vintners Chenin Blanc | $10 | 14.8 | 3 |
| 2009 Buitenverwachting "Beyond" Sauvignon Blanc | $12 | 13.9 | 6 |
| 2006 Springfield "Wild Yeast" Chardonnay | $18 | 14.0 | 5 |
| 2009 Ken Forrester Petit Pinotage | $9 | 13.8 | 7 |
| 2004 Neil Ellis Shiraz | $15 | 14.5 | 4 |
| 2007 Joostenberg Cabernet Blend | $18 | 15.4 | 2 |
| 2006 Rudera Late Harvest Chenin Blanc | $20 | 16.3 | 1 |
| Wine | Price* | Average Score | Rank |
| Alianca Vinho Verde nv | $10 | 11.3 | 6 |
| Adega de Pegoes 2008 | $10 | 13.2 | 5 |
| Caves Velhas Alpendre 2006 | $8 | 13.4 | 4 |
| Quinta do Vale Meao Meandro 2004 | $28 | 13.7 | 3 |
| Quinta dos Carvalhais 2000 | $38 | 14.5 | 2 |
| Blandy's 5 Year Old Madeira | $27 | 17.4 | 1 |
| Wine | Price* | Average Score | Rank |
| Rex Goliath Chardonnay 2008 | $6* | 13.4 | 5 |
| Marquis Philips Holly's Blend 2008 | $10 | 12.4 | 7 |
| Smoking Loon Viognier 2007 | $9* | 12.9 | 6 |
| Almos Malbec 2008 | $10* | 13.7 | 4 |
| Black Opal Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 | $6* | 15.4 | 1 |
| Canyon's Edge Sagebrush Red NV | $10 | 14.1 | 3 |
| Lucky Star Pinot Noir 2008 | $9* | 14.2 | 2 |
* Sale price when noted; Lucky Star was "specially priced"
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2008 Ajello Grillo-Catarratto | $14 | 13.3 | 7 |
| 2008 Cusumano Insolia | $15 | 13.2 | 8 |
| 2008 MandraRossa Fiano | $10 | 14.4 | 5 |
| 2006 Rapitala Casali | $20 | 14.0 | 6 |
| 2006 MandraRossa | $9 | 15.6 | 3 |
| 2007 Valle Dell'Acte Cerasuolo di Vittoria | $19 | 16.4 | 2 |
| 2007 Cusumano Benuara | $18 | 15.3 | 4 |
| 2008 Pellegrino Passito Di Pantelleria D.O.C | $35 | 17.0 | 1 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| Piper Sonoma Brut | $16 | 14.7 | 4 |
| Heidsiek & Co Monopole Blue Top Brut | $22 | 14.6 | 5 |
| Mumm Napa | $17 | 15.3 | 2 |
| Mumm Cordon Rouge | $32 | 14.3 | 6 |
| Domaine Carneros 2005 Brut | $29 | 15.6 | 1 |
| Tattinger Brut | $43 | 15.2 | 3 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| Yarden Brut (NV) | $19 | 13.2 | 6 |
| 2006 Dalton Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | $38 | 14.5 | 5 |
| 2003 Margalit "Enigma" | $40 | 14.6 | 4 |
| 2004 Yarden Syrah Ortal Vineyard | $39 | 16.4 | 2 |
| 2004 Domaine du Castel Grand Vin | $30 | 17.3 | 1 |
| 2001 Chateau Musar Rouge | $45 | 16.4 | 3 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2007 Let Murettes (Valais) | $32 | 13.2 | 7 |
| 2008 Vidal-Fleury Tavel (Rose) | $23 | 13.8 | 6 |
| 2003 Les Buissons Cairanne (Cotes du Rhone Villages) | $14 | 15.6 | 5 |
| 2001 Chante Cigale VV (Chateauneuf du Pape) | $50 | 16.9 | 3 |
| 1999 Noble Rives (Hermitage) | $40 | 16.4 | 4 |
| 2006 La Bonnette (Condrieu) | $75 | 17.6 | 1 |
| 2005 Vidal-Fleury Muscat de Beaumes | $18 split | 17.6 | 2 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2006 Peachy Canyon Incredible Red | $14 | 12.9 | 6 |
| 2006 Ravenswood Old Vines Zinfandel | $15 | 14.5 | 5 |
| 2007 Ridge Three Valleys (blend, 76% Zin) | $25 | 15.7 | 2 |
| 2006 Gnarly Head Old Vines Zinfandel | $12 | 15.5 | 3 |
| 2006 Klinker Brick Old Vines Zinfandel | $20 | 15.8 | 1 |
| NV Rosenblum Vintner's Cuvee | $13 | 15.1 | 4 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| Adams Vineyard and Winery (NC) Apple | $18 | 15.6 | 4 |
| White Owl Winery (IL) Surplus Bush | $8 | 12.5 | 8 |
| Hinnant Family Vineyards (NC) Strawberry | $11 | 15.9 | 3 |
| Calabaloose Cellars (NC) Strawberry Rhubarb "Up the River" | $18 | 13.2 | 7 |
| Hinnant Family Vineyards (NC) Pomegranate | $13 | 15.6 | 5 |
| White Owl Winery (IL) Cherry "Cherrie Pie" | $11 | 13.9 | 6 |
| Childress Vineyards (NC) Blueberry Port "Starbound" | $16 | 16.3 | 2 |
| White Owl Winery (IL) Persimmon Solera | $40 | 16.5 | 1 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2008 Gruner Veltliner (Austria) | $12 | 13.1 | 7 |
| 2007 The Climber (White, Clif) | $14 | 13.8 | 5 |
| 2008 Torrontes (Crios, Argentina) | $15 | 14.2 | 4 |
| 2006 Chateau Le Rait Bordeaux Sec (White) | $16 | 11.9 | 8 |
| 2005 Chateau Le Rait Bordeaux (Red) | $18 | 13.2 | 6 |
| 2005 Climber (Red, Clif) | $14 | 15.3 | 3 |
| 2007 St Julia Malbec (Argentina | $12 | 15.9 | 2 |
| Fonseca Porto Terra Bella Reserva (est 2006) | $24 | 16.4 | 1 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| Rock of Ages Winery (NC) Petit Manseng 2008 | $16 | 13.1 | 7 |
| Lovingston Winery (VA) Petit Manseng 2007 | $20 | 14.7 | 6 |
| Jefferson Vineyards (VA) Petit Verdot 2007 | $20 | 15.3 | 4 |
| Gemtree Vineyards (OZ) Petit Verdot 2007 "The Phantom" | $24 | 16.9 | 2 |
| Vinum Cellars (CA) Petite Sirah 2006 Reserve "Pets" | $14 | 15.0 | 5 |
| Delectus Winery (CA) Petite Sirah 2005 | $55 | 17.3 | 1 |
| Chrysalis Vineyards and Winery (VA) Petit Manseng 2007 (Dessert Wine) | $40 | 16.7 | 3 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Jacques Copnet Blanc de Blanc Champagne | $50 | 15.0 | 2 |
| 2007 Olivier Savary Chablis, Burgundy | $32 | 13.8 | 6 |
| 2005 Louis Carillon Puligny Montrachet Burgundy | $48 | 14.3 | 5 |
| 2008 Wishing Tree Unoaked Chardonnay, Western Australia | $13 | 14.5 | 4 |
| 2007 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley | $20 | 15.4 | 1 |
| 2008 Tilia Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina | $10 | 14.8 | 3 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2006 Chateau St Michelle Dry Riesling | $13 | 15.8 | 3 |
| 2006 L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon | $20 | 14.6 | 5 |
| 2006 Waterbrook Melange Noir | $16 | 14.0 | 6 |
| 2006 Sagelands Four Corners Merlot | $19 | 15.5 | 4 |
| 2003 Gordon Brothers Syrah | $22 | 16.9 | 1 |
| 2006 Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon | $31 | 16.1 | 2 |
We were privileged to be lead in this tasting by Doug Parsons, who supplied these wines from his cellar. The prices shown below are typical resale averages for these wines on the secondary market. It should be pointed out that even the lowest rated wine ranked just below "Excellent" on the AWS scale!
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2006 Dehlinger Pinot Noir (Goldridge Vineyard) | $40-$65 | 15.4 | 7 |
| 2004 Kosta-Browne Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley | $140-$280 | 18.0 | 2 |
| 1989 Chateau L'Evangile (Bordeaux) | $140-$280 | 14.8 | 8 |
| 2000 Araujo Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon | $100-$120 | 16.9 | 5 |
| 2004 Roar Syrah (Rosella's Vineyard) | $70-$120 | 17.0 | 4 |
| 2005 Saxum "Broken Stones" (Syrah / Grenache / Morvedre) | $70-$90 | 17.6 | 3 |
| 2000 Chateau de la Gardine (Chateauneuf du Pape) | $90-$140 | 16.2 | 6 |
| 2005 Biale Petite Sirah "Royal Punishers" | $45-$55 | 18.1 | 1 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2006 Protocolo | $7 | 14.3 | 7 |
| 2006 Castaño | $10 | 14.5 | 6 |
| 2004 Vaza Crianza | $19 | 15.5 | 4 |
| 1996 Viña Olagosa Gran Reserva | $28 | 16.2 | 3 |
| 2000 12 Linajes Reserva | $33 | 14.9 | 5 |
| 2005 Salmos | $35 | 16.5 | 1 |
| 1996 Valbuena | $120 | 16.4 | 2 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Garretson "G Series" White | $21 | 13.6 | 6 |
| 2006 Tablas Creek Cotes du Tablas Blanc | $22 | 14.8 | 5 |
| 2005 Bianchi Cabernet Franc | $20 | 15.6 | 3 |
| 2006 Kunin Zinfandel | $24 | 16.0 | 2 |
| 2004 Tablas Creek Mourvedre | $37 | 15.2 | 4 |
| 2006 Four Vines Peasant | $40 | 17.5 | 1 |
See the National Tasting Results
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Château Jolys Jurancon Sec | $12 | 15.2 | 5 |
| 2006 Château Ollieux Romanis Corbières Blanc | $13 | 14.7 | 6 |
| 2002 Château de Haute-Serre Cahors | $17 | 17.0 | 2 |
| 2003 Château Bouscassé Madiran | $18 | 15.6 | 4 |
| 2004 "La Mère Grand" Le Loup Blanc Minervois | $22 | 17.7 | 1 |
| 2003 Domaine de la Tour du Bon Bandol Revolution | $16 | 15.8 | 3 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| NV CLV Chardonnay Casa Larga Vineyards | 13.3 | 8 | |
| 2006 Riesling Catharine Valley Vineyards | 14.8 | 4 | |
| 2006 Riesling Cr Franks Wine Cellars | $18 | 15.4 | 2 |
| 2006 Rkatsiteli Dr Franks Wine Cellars | 14.8 | 3 | |
| 2006 Gewürztraminer Red Newt Cellars | 13.9 | 6 | |
| 2005 Pinot Noir Leidenfrost Vineyards | 13.9 | 7 | |
| NV Oak Reserve FL Meritage Casa Larga Vineyards | $20 | 16.7 | 1 |
| 2006 Reserve Cabernet Franc Catharine Valley Vineyards | 14.6 | 5 |
The wines without prices above were not available locally to our chapter.
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2007 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc | $16 | 15.3 | 4 |
| 2006 Thokozani Chenin Blanc / Viognier | 14.3 | 7 | |
| 2007 Springfield Estate Life From Stone Sauvignon Blanc | 15.7 | 2 | |
| 2007 Fairview Pinotage | $14 | 13.7 | 8 |
| 2007 Diemersfontein Pinotage | 16.3 | 1 | |
| 2004 Hartenberg Shiraz | 15.6 | 3 | |
| 2003 Diemersfontein Cabernet Sauvignon | 15.2 | 5 | |
| 2005 Kanonkop Kadette (Melange) | $15 | 15.0 | 6 |
The wines without prices above are not currently generally available in the USA.
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2006 Horton Vineyards Rkatsiteli | $14 | 15.4 | 1 |
| 2006 White Hall Gewürztraminer | $15 | 11.9 | 6 |
| 2006 King Family Vineyard Michael Shaps Viognier | $24 | 13.2 | 4 |
| 2006 Horton Vineyards Pinotage | $19 | 15.2 | 2 |
| 2005 Veritas Cabernet Franc | $16 | 12.0 | 5 |
| 2006 White Hall Petit Verdot | $16 | 14.1 | 3 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2004 Giovanni Puiatti Le Zucole Chardonnay DOC | $18 | 12.2 | 5 |
| 2006 Giacomo Vico Langhe Arneis DOC | $13 | 13.7 | 4 |
| 1997 Vascosassetti Brunello di Montalcino | $70 | 17.3 | 1 |
| 2005 Vascosassetti Rosso di Montalcino | $13 | 12.0 | 6 |
| 2002 Corte Majoli Ripasso Valpolicella (Verona) | $15 | 16.0 | 2 |
| 2003 Fonchera Ceretto Barolo | $48 | 15.8 | 3 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| Fontana Candida Frascati Blend | $12 | 13.9 | 3 |
| La Cryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco | $16 | 13.0 | 5 |
| Torre Primitivo del Salento | $14 | 13.8 | 4 |
| Sedara Nero D'Avola | $14 | 14.2 | 2 |
| La Cryma Christi Del Vesuvio Rosso | $17 | 14.5 | 1 |
Extra wine tasted: Diemersfontein Pinotage from Capetown, South Africa, scored 17.4!
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Smoking Loon Syrah | $9 | 16.3 | 1 |
| 2005 Cycles "Gladiator" Cabernet Sauvignon | $11 | 16.3 | 2 |
| 2004 Hope Estates Shiraz "The Ripper" | $16 | 15.3 | 3 |
| 2004 El Coto Rioja Crianza | $12 | 14.5 | 4 |
| 2004 Ca'Marcanda Promis--Tuscany/Gaja | $30 | 13.6 | 5 |
| 2005 Bogle Old Vines Zinfande | $12 | 12.9 | 6 |
| 2005 Pedroncelli Chardonnay | $12 | 12.8 | 7 |
| 2006 Domaine Pral Beuajolais | $13 | 12.6 | 8 |
| 2004 White Lie Early Harvest Chardonnay | $6 | 11.9 | 9 |
| 2005 Robert Mondavi "Vinetta" Meritage | $12 | 11.7 | 10 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Smoking Loon - California | $9 | 14.6 | 1 |
| 2004 Edna Valley Paragon - Cal Central Coast | $17 | 12.2 | 6 |
| 2005 Marquis Philips - SE Australia | $14 | 14.3 | 3 |
| 2004 E. Guigal - Cotes du Rhone | $12 | 12.6 | 4 |
| 2004 The Wishing Tree - West and South Australia | $11 | 14.6 | 2 |
| 2004 Schild Estate - Barossa (Sparkling) | $24 | 12.3 | 5 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2006 Edna Valley Chardonnay | $14 | 12.2 | 5 |
| 2005 Reichstaff von Kesselstatt Piesporter Riesling | $18 | 15.7 | 1 |
| 2005 Lucien Albrect Gewürztraminer Reserve | $16 | 12.9 | 4 |
| 2005 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir | $18 | 12.2 | 6 |
| 2004 Columbia Crest Merlot | $9 | 14.7 | 3 |
| SKN - Screw Kappa Napa Cabernet Sauvignon | $11 | 15.5 | 2 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Hugel Gentil | $14 | 15.2 | 1 |
| 2003 Trimbach Pinot Blanc | $18 | 12.5 | 6 |
| 2004 Heimberger Gewürztraminer "Reserve Particular" | $19 | 14.0 | 3 |
| 2002 Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve | $21 | 14.0 | 4 |
| 2005 Dopff & Irion Riesling | $19 | 15.0 | 2 |
| 2002 Dopff & Irion Riesling "Les Murailles" Vineyard | $29 | 13.3 | 5 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2004 Pigmentum Georges Vigouroux (FR) | $9 | 12.1 | 6 |
| 2006 Terrazas de los Andes (Argentina) | $17 | 14.5 | 4 |
| 2004 Fabre Montmayou (Argentina) | $25 | 13.6 | 5 |
| 2003 Proemio Reserve (Argentina) | $35 | 16.0 | 3 |
| 2004 Steltzner (CA) | $33 | 17.1 | 1 |
| 2002 Catena Vinas Adrianna (Argentina) | $35 | 16.4 | 2 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2004 Cousino-Macul Antiguas Reserve (Chile) | $16 | 13.7 | 5 |
| 2004 Graham Beck Gameskeeper's Reserve (S Africa) | $17 | 15.4 | 3 |
| 2003 Gordon Brothers Columbia Valley (WA) | $21 | 15.5 | 2 |
| 2003 Avalon Cabernet Winemaker Select (CA) | $18 | 15.3 | 4 |
| 2004 Chateau Paradis Casseuil (Bordeaux, FR) | $18 | 13.5 | 6 |
| 1997 Beringer Knight's Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (CA) | $40 | 16.5 | 1 |
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Artezin (Cuvee) | $13 | 14.3 | 7 |
| 2004 Old Vines (Old Vines Cuvee) | $15 | 15.0 | 6 |
| 2001 Eric Ross (Old Fines, RRV) | $25 | 15.8 | 3 |
| 2002 Porter-Bass (RRV) | $30 | 15.7 | 5 |
| 2003 Paradigm (Oakville) | $50 | 15.8 | 4 |
| 2004 Biale (Black Chicken) | $40 | 17.8 | 2 |
| 2004 Turley (Hayne Vineyard) | $125-$175 | 17.9 | 1 |
Note: The first four wines are readily available at wine retailers. The last three are available directly from the winery, their mailing list, or the secondary market, although the Biale can occasionally be found at the best wine shops.
| Wine | Price | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Bridgeview "Blue Moon" Oregon Riesling | $9 | 14.8 | 2 (tie) |
| 2005 Adelsheim Pinot Gris Willamette Valley | $17 | 13.8 | 4 |
| 2002 Hamacher Chardonnay Oregon Cuvee Forets Diverses | $25 | 11.2 | 6 |
| 2004 Sokel Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir | $35 | 13.2 | 5 |
| 2005 Torii Mor Willamette Valley Pinot Noir | $33 | 14.8 | 2 (tie) |
| 2004 Domaine Serene Yamhill Cuvee Willamette Valley Pinot Noir | $35 | 16.3 | 1 |
| Wine | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Campo de Borja (Vina Borgia, SP), $6 | 13.5 | 6 |
| 2004 Las Rocas Garnacha (SP), $9 | 13.3 | 7 |
| 2004 Priorat (La Conreria d'Scala Dei, SP), $16 | 14.2 | 5 |
| 2005 Top Hat Grenache (Linda Domas, AU), $22 | 14.9 | 3 |
| 2004 Prodigal Grenache (Kilikanoon, AU), $30 | 15.0 | 2 |
| 2004 The Spainnéach Grenache (Garretson, CA), $30 | 15.3 | 1 |
| 2004 La Gille Gigondas (Perrin & Fils, FR), $28 | 14.8 | 4 |
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Also tasted: 1928 Maury Solera, average score 14.8 |
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| Wine | Average Score | Rank |
| 2005 Piccolo Ernesto Gavi di Gavi | 12.5 | 6 |
| 2004 Alessandria Dolcetto D’Alba | 13.7 | 5 |
| 2003 Icardi “Tabaren” Barbera D’Asti | 14.4 | 2 |
| 2003 Lodali Nebbiolo D’Alba | 13.9 | 4 |
| 2000 Lodali Barolo | 14.4 | 2 |
| 2000 Lodali Barbaresco “7 Brothers Vineyard” | 16.6 | 1 |
20 people rated the six wines specified by AWS. No discussion was allowed! The chart below indicates the wine, our average score, and our ranking of the separate vote for "liked best" (rank followed by number of best votes). Since nationally more wines were tasted, those results are listed after our tasted wines, and the national average score (by chapter members) has also been added.
| Wine | "Best" Rank |
Our Rank |
Our Average |
Nat'l Average |
Nat'l Rank |
| Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc, California | 3 (4v) | 1 | 14.7 | 14.4 | 3 |
| Babich Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough | 2 (5v) | 2 | 13.9 | 14.3 | 4 |
| Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley | 6 (0v) | 5 | 12.6 | 13.5 | 7 |
| Pascal Jolivet, Sancerre | 5 (1v) | 6 | 11.6 | 13.0 | 8 |
| Casa LaPostelle, Rapel Valley | 4 (2v) | 4 | 12.9 | 13.7 | 6 |
| Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc, Sonoma County | 1 (6v) | 3 | 13.8 | 15.0 | 1 |
| Tohu | 14.7 | 2 | |||
| St Supery | 13.8 | 5 | |||
| Chateau de Sancerre | 13.0 | 9 |
NOTE: Separately, AWS Certified Wine Judges rated the wines. With no disagreement (i.e., zero standard deviation), they all agreed that the Tohu, an Australian vegetative Sauvignon Blanc, was the clear winner by a full point (at 16.0) over all the other wines, liking the Geyser Peak, Babich, and St Supery as runner-ups (at 14.9 and 15.0).
| Wine | Average Score | Rank |
| Chateau de Cleray Muscadet | 13.9 | 2 |
| Langlois Cremant de Loire | 12.8 | 5 |
| Domaine des Aubuisieres Vouvray | 14.2 | 1 |
| Pascal Jolivet Pouilly-Fume | 13.2 | 4 |
| Chateau de Fesles Rose d'Anjou | 13.5 | 3 |
| Guy Saget Les Tenanceaux Chinon | 11.9 | 6 |
Jerzy Buczak introduced us to German wines, and we sampled six of them, starting with the driest, increasing in sugar content and perceived sweetness. Here's how they scored (average of 18 evaluations filed). The scores for the Spätlese and Auslese varied widely, proving Jerzy's point that "you either love 'em or you hate 'em!"
Thüngersheimer Johannisberg Müller-Thurgau QbA 2004, $14, 14.5
Saarstein Riesling QbA 2004, $12, 14.1
Schloss Wallhausen Riesling Kabinett 2004, $15, 14.5
Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 2002, $32, 13.9
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2002, $42, 14.1
Niersteiner Ölberg Riesling Beerenauslese 2003, $30/half, 16.1
Mike Crusenberry lead us through a tasting of seven Pinot Noirs, none of which were from California. He challenged us with an interesting variation of a blind tasting: the wine bottles were covered, but we were given a list of the wine names and detailed descriptions. Our task was to match the wine to the description. We didn't do very well, but we had a great time!
The tasted wines were as follows, served in order of light to heavy:
2004 Weingut Klaus (Germany) -- an instant winner as a before dinner wine
2003 Salenein (Argentina) -- good, but definitely needed food
2001 Greenhough Hope Vineyard (New Zealand) -- varying reactions to this one
2003 Hill of Content (Australia) -- pleasant
2001 Tsantali Naousa (Greece) -- not a favorite
2003 Chehalem 3 Vinehard (Oregon) -- the clear winner!
2001 Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin -- full bodied
This month Aris Ragouzeos, a wine consultant for The Wine Merchant since 1981, selected wines from the store and his own wine cellar to educate us on the wines of the Rhone region of France. Aris has been tasting since 1975 and has written wine columns, appeared on TV, and taught wine pairing and wine appreciation courses. Here are the results of our tasting at the Hunsicker's home with 25 attendees:
| Wine | Range | Mean | Rank |
| 1995 Domaine Sainte Anne (Syrah) |
10-16.5 | 12.7 | 6 |
| 2003 Domaine Entrefaux (Crozes Hermitage) |
12-18 | 15.4 | 4 |
| 2003 Chateau de Segries (Cotes du Rhone) |
9-18 | 14.3 | 5 |
| 1995 Domaine Sainte Anne Saint Gervais (Cotes du Rhone Villages) |
13-19 | 15.9 | 2 |
| 1999 Domaine des Bosquets (Gigondas) |
13-19 | 15.8 | 3 |
| 2001 Chateau de la Gardine (Chateauneuf du Pape) |
16-20 | 18.3 | 1 |
We were privileged to have Doug Parsons, owner of cellarexchange.com, lead us in a Pinot Noir tasting at the Brack's house in September. Doug travels the west coast to small wineries periodically and really knows his wines and wineries. He brought us some interesting Pinot Noirs to taste. Here's what the group thought of them ...
Using the middle of each rating range (e.g. 19 for the
18-20 range), we did a weighted average of the Pinot scores. In
descending order, the results were:
|
The August Triangle (NC) Chapter tasting was hosted by Michael and Denise Whitley. With a theme of "Rate the Ratings," the objective was to see how our evaluations stacked up against those of critics from major wine publications. The selection included familiar grape varietals to give participants a reasonable frame of reference for assessment. Wines tasted were scored as better than (+), about the same (=), or not as good as (-) the critics' results. All, however, were affirmed by the majority to be within one rating category of what was published.
|
Wine |
Published Rating* | Chapter Evaluation | Price |
| '02 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett (Mosel-Saar-Ruwer) | WS 89 | - | $18.99 |
| '04 Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc (Sonoma County) | WS 91 | - | $12.97 |
| '03 Acacia Chardonnay (Carneros) | WE 90 | - | $17.49 |
| '03 Acacia Chardonnay (Carneros) | WS 88 | - | $21.99 |
| '01 Castello di Monastero Chianti Classico | WE 89 | = | $15.99 |
| '01 Merryvale Starmont Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) | WE 91 | = | $21.99 |
* WS = Wine Spectator Magazine; WE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
| 1st - '02 Trimbach Gewürtztraminer (Alsace) $16.99 |
| 2nd - '03 Kanu Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch) $8.99 |
| 3rd - NV Zardetto Prosecco $10.49 |
| 4th(Tie) - '04 Santa Julia Torrontés (Mendoza) $7.99 |
| 4th(Tie) - '04 Bodegas As Laxas Albariño Val do Sosego (Rias Baixas) $14.99 |
| 5th - '03 Kotrotsos Moschofilero (Mantinia) $11.99 |
| 6th - '04 Principessa Gavia (Gavi) $12.99 |
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