Category: Wine Festival

La Paulée de New York 2017

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La Paullée de Meursault was a Burgundian end of harvest festival originally for wine makers, cellar workers and the surrounding community. In 2000 Sommelier and Wine Entrepreneur Daniel Johnnes brought the festival to the United States as a homage to the original La Paulée. The festival alternates between the cities of San Francisco and New York and in 2017 the festival came back to New York.

The festival took place during the week of March 7-11 with seminars, tastings and wine-pairing dinners. The Grand Tasting was on Saturday afternoon from 12-3 and was a walk-around tasting of over 100 Burgundy wines from the 2014 vintage.

The event was held at Pier 60 event space in the Chelsea Piers sport complex at 23rd street and the West Side Highway at the Hudson River.

Some of what I sampled:

 

WHITE

Domaine Alex Gambal Saint-Aubin 1er Cru: Very light yellow, cinnamon spice on the nose, moderate fruit, very balanced, easy drinking.

Domaine Eleni & Edouard Vocoret Chablis “Le Bas de Chapelot”: Light yellow with a greenish tint, lime and melon on the nose, moderate fruit, nice balance.

Domaine Alex Gambol Puligny-Montrachet “Les Enseignieres”: Light yellow, closed nose, juicy mango on the fruit with a nice grip at the finish.

Domaine Rougeot Meursault “Sous La Velle”: Medium yellow, peaches on the nose, petroleum on the finish.

Domaine Paul Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet “Les Mazures”: Light yellow, greenish tints, toast, petroleum on the nose, cinnamon on the moderate fruit, long finish.

Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru: Light yellow, oak notes on the nose, nice fruit at initial sip, tightens up at the finish.

Domaine des Lambrays Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Clos du Cailleret: Light yellow with a green tint with green tropical fruit.

Les Hospices de Beune Saint-Romain “Cuvee Joseph Menault”: Light yellow, cinnamon spice on the nose, juicy tropical fruit with moderate acids. Very Cali.

Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault 1er Cru “Genevrieres”: Very light yellow, cinnamon spice on the nose, light buttery fruit with a nice balance and a long finish. Nice.

 

RED

Louis Jadot Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru: Medium red with a pretty perfume of dark violets, dusty, silky, tight with a long finish.

Domaine Génot-Lavollée Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru: Medium purple, stinky red cherry on the nose, earthy bright fruit with a tight finish.

Domaine Perrot-Minot Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru: Light red, crushed red berries on the nose with bright red fruit and a nice balance.

Domaine Gagey Clos-Saint Denis Grand Cru: Light red, crushed red berry and dirt on the nose, silky fruit with a lip smacking finish.t fruit, tight finish.

Bouchard Père & Fils Le Corton Grand Cru: Light red, crushed black fruit on the nose, tight with firm tannins.

Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru: Light red, big smoky perfume with delicate fruit.

Domaine Génot-Lavollée Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru “Clos du Chapitre”: Medium red, crushed red fruit with asparagus on the nose, nice fruit, balanced finish.

Domaine Marquis d’Angerville Volnay 1er Cru “Taillepieds”: Medium red, crushed black fruit on the nose, bright, tight and dusty fruit, firm and tart on the finish.

Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Les Suchots”: Medium red, big barnyard on the nose, silky, spicy with firm. crisp acids.

Domaine Georges Mugnerer-Gibourg Vosne-Romanée: Light red, cooked warm dark berries on the nose, dusty, tight and firm fruit.

Les Hospices de Beaune 1er Cru “Cuvee Guigone de Salins”: Medium to light red, smoky black cherry and dirt on the nose, silky, concentrated fruit that drops a bit at the end.

Domaine des Lambrays Morey-Saint Denis 1er Cru “Les Loup”: Medium red with bright black cherry and green herbs on the nose, tight, bright black fruit.

Domaine Armand Rousseau 1er Cru Gevrey Chambertin: Light red, barnyard and black cherry on the nose with silky, light cherry fruit.

Domaine Duroché Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Lavaut Saint_Jacques”: Medium red, warm crushed berries and earth on the nose, dusty fruit with firm tannins at the finish.

Domaine Perrot-Minot Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru “La Combe d’Orveau Cuvee Ultra”: Medium red, crushed black fruit on the nose, silky fruit with nice balance.

 

 

Great Wines Of Italy 2017 Tour

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James Suckling is a wine and cigar critic who sponsored the Great Wines of Italy Tour. In 2016 the tour was international and stopped by the cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Phuket, this year the tour will take them to Miami, Beverly Hills and San Francisco. On March 8th it was New York City’s turn.

The event was held at the Frank Gehry designed IAC building at 555 West 18th Street on the far west side of Manhattan. You can’t miss the very unique and distinctive building with its wavy, white glass design.

The event had over 150 Italian wineries serving 92+ point wine wines handpicked by Mr. Suckling. Most of the wine regions of Italy were represented but I concentrated my tastings on Piedmont and Tuscany.

Some of what I sampled:

 

2012 Fattoria Del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “Riserva”

2010 & 2012 Cordella Brunello di Montalcino

2011 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino

2012 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

2012 Aletesino Brunellod di Montalcino “Montosoli”

2011 Carparzo Brunello di Montalcino “Riserva”

2011 Carparzo Brunello di Montalcino “La Casa”

2012 Fattoria La Leccaia Brunellod di Montalcino

2012 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino

2012 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino “Altero”

2011 Il Bosco di Grazia Brunello di Montalcino

2012 Il Bosco di Grazia Brunello di Montalcino

2014 Tommasi Valpolicella “Rafael”

2012 Tommasi Amarone

2010 Pra Amarone

2011 Masi Riserva “Costasera”

2011 Masi Brolo Campofiorin “Oro”

2011 Aldo Conterno Barolo “Cicala”

2012 Rocche dell” Annuziata Barolo

2012 Fontanafredda Barolo “Serralunga”

2012 Sordo Barolo “Parussi”

2012 Sordo Barolo “Monvigliero”

2012 Pio Cesare Barolo

2011 Cascina Bruciata Barberesco Riserva “Rio Sordo”

2014 Orenellaia

2014 Le Serre Nuove Dell’Ornellaia

2013 Viticcio Chianti Classico “Riserva”

2013 Viticcio Chianti Classico “Gran Selezione”

2013 Fattoria Le Pupille “Poggio Valenti”

2013 Fattoria Le Pupille “Saffredi”

2013 Ceralti “Alfeo”

2013 Petra “Potenti”

 

 

Boston Wine Expo 2017: Grand Tasting & Vintners’ Reserve Lounge

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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.

 

 

Boston Wine Expo 2017: Seminars

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On February 18-19 I attended the 26th Boston Wine Expo in Boston Massachusetts which is about a four hour drive north of New York City. I attended both days, Saturday and Sunday and this was my sixth year attending this event. It’s always one of the best wine expos in the country. The event featured over 1,800 wines from over 200 wineries, seminars, vendors and cooking demonstrations. The event benefits the Floating Hospital at Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities.

As in past years, the event was held at the Seaport World Trade Center and Seaport Hotel at 200 Seaport Boulevard, a short tram ride from the South Street bus terminal and this year as in last the weather cooperated and it was a beautiful afternoon.

 

American Rhône:  The Range of the Rhône Rangers

2015 Gramercy Cellars Picpoul “Los Oidos Vineyard” (Walla Walla)

Very light yellow, pineapple and grapefruit on the nose, lime notes at first followed with floral notes and lime  on the finish.

2013 Bonny Doon Cigare Blanc White Blend (Arroyo Seco)

A blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc. Medium gold, honey and damp earth and crushed rocks on the nose, full honeyed fruit with some botrytis notes, moderate acids, long finish, some heat.

2014 Tablas Creek Rousssanne (Paso Robles)

Medium gold with notes of ginger on the nose, candy and sea air on the fruit, moderate acids.

2013 Tenet GSM Blend (Columbia Valley)

A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mouverdre. Dark red to black, perfume of pine and slate, chunky, juicy with oak and bitter plums on the finish.

2014 Sans Liege Groundwork Mourvedre (Santa Barbara Highlands)

100% Mourvedre. Dark red with a black rim, overripe vegetable on the nose, concentrated, dusty, black cherry and oak on the fruit, nice grip at the end.

2014 Stolpman Vineyards Estate Grenache (Ballard Canyon)

Dark black in color, feminine perfume of red leather and cherry, big cherry fruit with the tannin tightening up at the end for a good grip, good balance.

 

Vertical of Guigal’s Chateau d’Ampuis Côte-Rôtie

1995: Dark brick with a brown rim, cooked black fruit on the nose, tight and tart, brown leather on the tannic finish.

1997: Dark brick with a brown rim, old leather and roasted meat on the nose, dark plum and tight, crisp acids on the finish.

2001: I got a good amount of sediment on the pour, first bottle corked so not much to go around. Brick in color, cooked vegetable and crisp bacon on the nose with big mint notes on the finish.

2003: Dark brick with an amber rim, ripe dark plum and bbq meat on the nose, silky black fruit, firm grip, mint notes, good structure.

2005: Dark red to black, roasted meat, spice and earth on the nose, tight and smoky with crisp acids.

2007: Black with an amber robe, roasted meat and plastic on the nose, juicy fruit followed with firm tannins.

2009: Black in color, roasted meat on the nose, tight and concentrated with the fruit dropping at the end.

2012: Dark red with a purple rim, dusty roast meat on the nose, very tight with asparagus on the finish, a little unbalanced.

Horizontal of Three Guigal Côte-Rôtie

1998 Brune et Blonde: Dark amber, perfume of mint and roast meat, starts tight turns silky with meat notes on the finish.

1998 Chateau d’Ampuis: Medium amber, smoky dark black cherry on the nose, tight with mouth tightening tannins and acids.

1998 La Landonne: Black, amber rim, complex nose of earth, tar and ripe black fruit, concentrated and silky with dark earth notes on the fruit, firm acids.

 

Vine & Brine: Terroir Pairing With Island Creek Oysters

2015 Domaine Vincent Careme “Cuvee T” paired with an Ichabod Flats oyster.

Medium yellow, sea air and sauerkraut on the nose, crisp fizz, lemon curd on the fruit. Oyster was salty.

2015 Domaine Paul Buisse Touraine Sauvignon paired with an Island Creek oyster.

Light yellow, mowed grass on the nose, juicy, grassy, tart, good balance.

2015 Le Roi des Pierres Sancerre Blanc paired with a Wellfleet oyster.

Very light yellow, melons, grass on the nose, crisp and grassy. Very salty oyster and muddy.

2014 Domaine Vrignaud Le Champreaux Chablis paired with a Mallard oyster.

Medium yellow with greenish tints, toast and barnyard on the nose, tight lime on the fruit. Sweet and balanced oyster.

2012 Clos du Gaimont La Monaco Vouvray paired with a Malabar oyster.

Moderate to dark gold, honeyed bouquet, juicy pineapple, ginger and melon on the fruit, low acids, a fat wine. Oyster was low salt and muddy.

 

 

 

Wine Spectator’s NY Wine Experience 2016

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The 36th annual Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience was held on October 20-22. It was “a joyous three-day festival of great wines”, an opportunity to taste the world’s finest wines. Thursday and Friday consisted of wine seminars during the afternoon capped off with the critics’ choice Grand Tasting in the evening where over 250 wines rated 90 points or higher on their rating scale were served. The Wine Spectator magazine, which is celebrating its 40th year this year and its 100 point rating scale is one of the most influential  wine magazines in the wine world. Many consider it the “Bible” of the industry.

The event was held at the Marriott Marquis hotel at 1535 Broadway in the heart of Times Square, Manhattan. I attended Friday evening and it was an outstanding tasting, an embarrassment of riches with a huge selection of some of the worlds best wines to sample.  I decided to focus on California Cabernet and Bordeaux with an Italian here and there. One day was certainly not enough to sample everything I would have wanted, so much juice so little time.

Some of what I sampled:

 

2007 Heitz Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Martha’s Vineyard” (Napa Valley). Dark red, perfume of red leather and tar, chewy black licorice and red cherry fruit on the balanced finish.

2007 Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Hillside Select” (Napa Valley). Dark purple, toasty black fruit on the nose, tarry finish.

2012 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). Dark red to black, crushed black fruit on the nose, chewy with tobacco notes on the balanced finish.

2012 Harlan Estates Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley). Dark purple, crushed black fruit and mint on the nose, silky fruit, silky tannin.

2013 Ovid Hexameter (Napa Valley). Black with a purple robe, stewed fruit on the nose, juicy and jammy.

1999 Ridge Vineyards “Monte Bello” (Santa Cruz Mtns). Bordeaux blend, dark purple, sweet red candy and graphite on the nose, dusty, smoky fruit that tightens up at the finish.

2010 Diamond Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Gravelly Meadow” (Napa Valley). Dark red, red candy nose with red cherry fruit.

2013 Peter Michael Cabernet Sauvignon “Au Paradis” (Oakville). Dark red with a purple rim, cola and red cherry on the nose, juicy with firm herb notes on the finish.

2012 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve” (Oakville). Dark red with a purple robe, toast sour cherry on the nose, tight and concentrated with fresh rosemary on the balanced finish.

2012 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon (Mt Veeder). Black in color, minty graphite on the nose with thick and chewy red fruit.

2013 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon “Special Select” (Napa Valley). Black with a purple rim, crushed black fruit on the nose, thick and syrupy.

***

2011 Bouchard Pere & Fils Volnay Caillerets (Burgundy). Brick color, brick dust on the nose, chewy with red cherry and smoke on the fruit, firm acids.

2013 Domaine Faiveley Corton (Burgundy). Medium light red, forest floor on the nose, tight, moderate fruit.

2001 Chateau Margaux (Bordeaux). Dark brick, big perfume of black olives and tar, smoky, tobacco notes on the fruit, balanced, long smoky finish.

2006 Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Bordeaux). Dark red with a brown robe, beautiful perfume of violets, green olive notes on the concentrated dusty fruit, turns tight with crisp acidity at the end.

2006 Chateau Haut-Brion (Bordeaux). Dark red, closed nose of bacon, silky green olives on the fruit, balance with a long finish.

2006 Ducru Beaucaillou (Bordeaux). Dark red in color, closed nose with mint notes, tight fruit, tannins on the end.

2009 Chateau Figeac (Bordeaux). Dark red to black, cook fruit, dried leaf on the nose, tight with smoke and toast notes on the fruit, firm tannins on the finish.

2004 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion (Bordeaux). Medium brick, cigar box nose, silky graphite notes on the fruit and on the finish, great balance.

2008 Chateau Palmer (Bordeaux). Dark red with a purple robe, toast notes on the nose, concentrated, dusty, toasty fruit, good balance.

2011 Chateau Angelus (Bordeaux). Dark red to black, closed nose of black fruit, mint, silky green olives and toast notes on the fruit, firm finish.

2010 Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere (Bordeaux). Black in color, crushed red fruit and Asian spices on the nose, thick and juicy with nice tannins to balance it out.

2011 E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis (Rhone). Dark red, big roasted meat and floral notes on the nose, big and chewy meat notes on the fruit, tightens up a the end.

***

2006 Solaia (Tuscany). Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, pretty perfume of red roses, violets with dark silky fruit and a beautiful finish.

2012 Sassicaia (Tuscany). Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, medium purple, closed nose, juicy red cherry fruit. Boring.

2009 Ornellaia (Tuscany). Medium red with a brick robe, cooked vegetable on the nose, dusty, tobacco fruit, balanced, cigarette smoke on the finish.

2011 Gaja Sperss (Piedmont). Medium brick, cherry tar on the nose, tight, silky tannin, finishes with lip smacking tannins.

2011 San Felice “Vigorello” (Tuscany). Dark purple, cigarette smoke on the nose, thick and chewy black fruit with some mint notes on the balanced finish.

2006 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino “Riserva” (Tuscany). Magnum, medium brick, tar and pencil shavings on the nose and fruit, great balance.