On February 18-19 I attended the 26th annual Boston Wine Expo in Boston Massachusetts. It’s my 6th year at this event which I think is one of the best consumer events in the country. In addition to the many seminars, the main floor of the convention center hosted the Grand Tasting which poured hundreds of wine and the smaller, more intimate Vintner’s Reserve Lounge which featured higher end wines that were not served at the Grand Tasting. After attending the Seminars and Vintner’s Lounge on Saturday, I spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon at the Grand Tasting. Some of what I sampled:
Vintner’s Lounge
2014 Louis Latour Corton-Charlamagne (Burgundy). Light yellow, tropical fruit on the nose, full melon and honey notes on the fruit, nice balance.
2015 King Estate Pinot Noir (Oregon). Medium purple, spicy plum on the nose, bright fruit.
2013 King Estate Pinot Noir “Domaine” (Oregon). Medium to light red, spicy cinnamon on the nose, tart and light on the fruit.
2012 Grgich Hills Merlot (Napa Valley). Black in color, ripe plums and dried herbs on the nose, chunky fruit with a firm finish.
2013 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). Black with a purple rim, closed nose of dark raspberry, juicy, ripe black fruit.
2014 Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). Black with a purple rim, dried herbs and cherry on the nose, dark chocolate on the moderate finish that drops a bit at the end.
2014 Frogs Leap Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford). Dark red, closed nose of black fruit, ginger and spice, tight, bright fruit.
2013 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot (Napa Valley). Dark red with a perfume fo plum and crushed black fruit, thick and juicy with tobacco notes on the fruit.
2013 Rodney Strong Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Rockaway” (Alexander Valley). Dark red with a purple rim, fresh herbs on the nose, tight, silky finish with some heat.
2012 Rodney Strong Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Alexander’s Crown” (Alexander Valley). Dark red with a purple rim, green herbs on the nose, silky, juicy with moderate acids. Drinkable.
2011 Domodimonti “Passione e Visione” (Marche). Petit Verdot, inky black, perfume of violets with silky tannins on the crushed dark fruit, great grip on the finish.
2011 Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany). Medium brick, closed nose of plum, silky graphite fruit, great balance.
2011 Antinori Chianti Classico “Riserva” (Tuscany). Medium brick, roast nuts and red cherry and pencil shavings on the, silky fruit with a nice grip of tannin at the finish.
Grand Tasting
2016 Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé (Central Coast). Very light pink, cotton candy nose, juicy with fresh herbs and strawberry fruit.
2014 Qupé Roussanne “Bien Nacido” (Santa Maria Valley). Light yellow, spicy cinnamon on the nose, honeydew, tropical fruit on the finish, nice balance.
2014 Treana Winery “Blanc” (Paso Robles). A Rhone blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, medium yellow, dark floral nose, earth and roast nuts on the fruit.
2011 Tenuta La Gigliola Canaiolo (Tuscany). A varietal that’s not usually bottled on its own, medium brick, closed nose of barnyard, juicy graphite fruit, bitter almond on the finish.
2014 Concha y Toro Carmenere Gran Reserva (Chile). Dark red to black, fresh herbs on the nose, chunky, chewy with mint notes on the finish.
2012 Kenneth Volk Grenache “Rio San Benito Vineyard” (San Benito County). Light brick, fresh rosemary and graphite on the nose, juicy red leather fruit, bitter cherry on the finish.
2011 Qupé Grenache “Lindquist Vineyard” (Edna Valley). Medium red, smoky tree bark on the nose, bright smoky cherry fruit, moderate to low acid.
2011 Qupé Syrah “Lindquist Vineyard” (Edna Valley). Medium red, pretty perfume of violets and graphite with dusty, graphite fruit on the moderate finish.
2014 English Hills Pinot Noir (Vacaville). Light red with a big stinky nose, silky red cherry fruit and a bright finish.
2011 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva (Tuscany). Dark red to black, warm turned earth on the nose, chewy with black licorice notes on the fruit and finish.
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