Last night the Meetup crew got together at Clever for what turned into an impromptu tasting of six wines hand selected by John (Owner of Cork and Bottle). Every single bottle was delicious!We had:
Huber Grunder Veltliner 2008
Alberice Friulano 2008
Eve Chardonnay 2007
Quintale Aglianico Sannio 2007
Santa Duc Cotes Du Rhone 2007
Joel Gott Zinfandel 2007
I especially enjoyed the Friulano, the Aglianico and the Cotes Du Rhone. I recommend them all, and for the Chardonnay shy, this one is not at all buttery. The oak treatment is subtle with just a hint of vanilla. Check it out for yourself. I passed by Swirl afterward and I got to try two of Terry Hoag's wines (thanks Beth!), a very delicious Estate Syrah-Grenache Rose and the fabulous Skins Grenache.
I haven't gotten out much in the past few weeks but at the beginning of the month I had the great pleasure to see Charles Hendricks at Swirl and then again at Bacchanal. Everyone who knows me by now probably knows how I feel about the Hope and Grace Cabernet. It's one of my absolute favorites. This year though, the Pinot Noir won me over. Pinot is usually not among my favorites, but this one was fantastic! (More details when I locate my notes.)
The last few months of tasting have been great with the wines from James Moises (LOVE that Yamhill-Carlton Pinot - yes you read correctly) and Nicolas Bazan in December and January.
