Le Du wineshop had a fundraiser Saturday. About a dozen local Sommelier volunteered their time and wine distributers donated their wine. About 100 wines were being poured. I arrived at the 1:00pm start time before the crowds came in so I was able to enjoy the first half hour of wine in relative peace. When it got crowded, it wasn’t even rush-hour on the subway crowded, it was rush-hour on the subway during a disaster crowded. It was pretty much cheek to cheek especially in the back room where the reds were being poured. A lot of tasty juice was poured that afternoon. I began with some whites. I enjoyed the 2010 Patrick Piuze “Petite Chablis” and well as the 06 William Fevre Chablis Premier Cru “Fourchaume”  Went off to the New World. Had the 08 Hudson Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay. Buttery, new oak on the finish. The 09 Hanzell Sonoma Valley Chardonnay was excellent. More old world than new, tight with a long finish, it had more in comman with the Chablis I had previously drank. Was disapointed in the 06 Kistler “McCrea Vineyard Ahern Estate” Chardonnay. On my notes I had “salty, briney, like eating an oyster”  Would have liked to try another bottle to see if it was bottle variation.

The reds were being poured in the back room. I tried some outstanding juice. First stop was the Bordeaux table. First wine was the 1980 Calon Segur “Grand Cru”. It was exciting to have the opportunity to drink a mature Bordeaux. Brick robe, chestnut nose, smokey fruit. Very interesting. Others I tried: 08 Blasson D’Issan, 08 Chateau Certain de May, the 08 Chateau Puy Blanquet and the 07 Chateau Beausejour. At the next table I tried some outstanding Barolo. Every bottle I tried was drinking beautifully especially the 1998 Bussia Soprano “Vigna Colonnello”. The wine was maturing nicely, the tannins have sofented to a nice velvety finsh. Others I tried were the 07 Giovanni Corino “Vigna Giachini”, 07 Casa E. di Mirafiore, and the 07 Enzo Boglietti “Fossati” At the table I also enjoyed th 2000 Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino. Another tasty red was the Ricasoli 08 “Colledila” Chianti Classico.

My next stop was the table with Southern French wines. I enjoyed the 06 Domain du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape. Very earthy, chewy and balanced. The 2000 Bandol Domaine Le Galantin “Longue Garde” was delicious, rustic, smokey, chewy.

By this time the crowd was huge and I had to use all of my wine glass balancing skills while I made my way to the Pinot Noir table. I liked the 09 Evening Land “Seven Springs”, the 09 Peay Vineyards “Scallop Shelf” and the 09 Ben Leroux Volnay. My favorite was the 09 Mount Eden Vineyards Estate. Nose of forest floor, mushrooms, restrained fruit with a silky finish, very nice.

Overall it was an outstanding tasting for a good cause, there was much wine I didn’t get a chance to try.