syrah/shiraz and bbq roundup

I was so busy grilling things, and we had overall such a wonderful night (and extremely well attended) that labels and bags lost sync. I have a few that I know for sure, and a few more by who brought them. We will have to be more careful next time. I would say my two favorites are the top two here, followed by the Montes Alpha and the Petite Sirah (cheating, but super tasty).

(T) Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez 05

This was my choice, and one of my two favorites. Dark, concentrated, smooth.

(P) Claymore Dark Side of the Moon, Clare Valley AU

Garrett's excellent selection, similar to above but more spicy

(V) Boom Boom WA State 07

(X) Casa Castillo Valtosca, Jumilla, 07

unusual to find this style from Spain. It is straight shiraz blended with a bit of Viognier

(ℶ) Winner's Tank Velvet Sledgehammer, Langhorne Creek South AU

(I) Quivira Petite Sirah

Exactly what is lovable about petite sirah, with mushroomy earth and delicious complex fruit.

(W) Qupé central coast CA 08

Zach

Dominio IV Columbia Gorge

Mark & Yaron

Epiphany Gypsy Santa Barbara County 05

‘The Catcher’ AU 07

Ravenswood 08

Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve 07

Cambria Santa Maria Count

Chris Wingland Barossa 07

Montes Alpha, Chile

As I mentioned at Chilean night when we had their Chardonnay, Montes is one of my favorite wineries and their stuff is generally very French in style. This is no exception.

D'Arenberg The Footbolt, AU 07

Hitching Post Santa Barbara County 06

This was thin, generally unimpressive

Ex Umbris Columbia Valley 08

Next time, date to be determined, will be “house wine” — bring the thing you probably drink the most of, or would like to have every day. For me, this is probably Luzón or Juan Gil, though I need to re-taste some Chapoutier Belleruche before I decide for sure. For Scott it is probably a Vinho Verde or the Albero Sparkling.

Wine Club #1

I very much enjoyed our first wineclub gathering last night and look forward to next time, Chianti. Here is the roundup of what we had, in roughly lightest and driest to sweetest. My favorite was definitely #1, followed by 5 and 8 tied for second. The Spanish 3 and 4 were both delightful in totally different ways and thus tie for my third ranking. I did not much like 7 (boring) or 11 & 12 (both overwhelming, palate fatiguing). [I don’t mean that as any kind of competition, just my subjective experience and what I’d like to remember.] Thanks to everyone for joining in the fun! What were your favorites?

1. Gitton Sancerre “Les Belles Dames” 2007 (Sauv Blanc)
2. Château Graville-Lacoste Graves (Bordeaux) 2008 (Chardonnay)
3. Pazo Señorans Albariño 2008 Rias Baixas
4. Montecillo 2006 Rioja (Viura)
5. Champalou Vouvray 2008 (Chenin Blanc)
6. Skouras White 2008 Peloponnese (Roditis 60% / Moscofilero 40%)
7. Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina Sannio 2008
8. Colombelle Vin de Pays Côtes de Gascogne 2008 (Colombard 70% / Ugni Blanc 30%)
9. Hugo Grüner Veltliner 2008
10. Trimbach Alsace Pinot Blanc 2006
11. Petit Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2008
12. Crios Torrontes 2009
13. Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium 2007 Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Kabinett