Back to School

Fall is synonymous with a few things: Back to school, back to the exercise routine, back to sensible shoes and sweaters, and my personal favourite, harvest time which also co-incides with Southern Hemisphere releases. Yeah Fall!

More personally, it also marks the anniversary of the first meeting of the W!nos, our monthly wine tasting group, going strong after 5 years??

We are not an up tight, sophisticated set - at least I don't think so. "Meetings" are monthly, except in December, May, and August. December is when the formal wine tasting is replaced by a New Year's Eve party - decadent yes, memorable? Quite. But could any of us really tell you the nuances of the cabernet we just quaffed with the filet? Not on your life! May is all about getting the cottages, boats, and dance recitals taken care of, and August is well. . . time for other pursuits.

No, September is when we get back to it, back to the business of tasting and sitting around discussing who thinks what and if it is a value buy and if they like the label etc...

September got off to a late start - our first tasting was scheduled for October 3. This time it was a completely blind tasting. 5 wines, 5 W!nos, and a Saturday evening dedicated to an evening of swishing, swirling, sniffing, and tasting. So here it is:

My blind tasting notes :

Wine #1

Appearance - Almost opaque, dark red, but not black, garnet colour, clear

Nose - the aroma of cooking jasmine rice, butter, and salt (and no - there was no freshly popped popcorn in the house!)

Taste/Texture - honey, prune, sweet wheat, meaty, mid-high tannin, mid-heavy flavour, chewy, a bit bitter, mid-long finish

Conclusion - Not completely, balanced, but perhaps decanting or a couple more years would bring it out. Acceptable.

Wine #2

Appearance - Garnet, dark, but not opaque, slight brown around the rim, perhaps a slightly older wine, clear

Nose - Cement/Sidewalk, mineral, vague pine, smoke, tar, dark mature fruit, plum, berries

Taste/Texture - lighter tasting than on the nose, dark prune plums, white pepper, long finish

Conclusion - Balanced, long enjoyable finish. Perfectly acceptable. Drink now and before 3 years.

Two wines down. Not sure what they are yet. Not Shiraz/Syrah. Not Malbec, Not Pinot Noir. Not Valpolicella, Barbara, Barolo, Not Grenache or Merlot. Hmmm.

Wine #3

Appearance - Burgundy/purple mid-opaque, clear. Could be Welsh's grape juice

Nose - Welsh's grape juice, purple freezie, alcohol, sweet candy

Taste/Texture - hint of sweetness and grape juice, mid-acidity, slight bitter after taste, big to a mid finish

Conclusion - okay. Not committing to it.

Three wines down. Two were good. One was good enough to buy - if the price is right. I am thinking Eastern Europe or could it be Chile?

Wine #4

Appearance - Garnet, mid-dark/dense, clear (really if it isn't clear, it's going back, or perhaps we shouldn't have shaken it just before pouring??)

Nose - Mmm. Candied violets, earth, tar, dark plummy fruit

Taste/Texture - Light, plum, green pepper, lemony, mid-long finish

Conclusion - Balanced, good character, lively. Perfectly Acceptable.

Wine #5

Appearance - dark ruby-garnet, mid-opaque, clear

Nose - butter, salt, violet/pansy floral fragrance, slightly sweet

Taste/Texture - mid-acidity, slightly effervescent, smoke, vanilla, dark ripe berries, light, medium finish

Conclusion - Balanced. Perfectly acceptable.

My approval goes out to #2, 4, 5. My favourite of the bunch is definitely #4. Thanks go out to J for an excellent tasting - great picks!

The wines revealed:

Theme - 5 Cabernet Sauvignons from California all available at the LCBO.

1.
J. LOHR SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON (V)
VINTAGES 656561 750 mL bottle $20.95
Wine, Red Wine, 13.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD
Made in: California/Californie, United States By: J Lohr Winery
Release Date: Oct 10, 2009

Description
Every time Vintages released this wine, it disappeared from store shelves at lightning speed! So we decided to make it an Essential to ensure that it's always available and you're never disappointed. Aged in oak for more than a year, this densely coloured red is packed with intense aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar, vanilla, and spices. Full-bodied and sweet-centred, this Cabernet will beautifully complement braised beef with a mildly spicy sauce.

2.

NAPA CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006

VINTAGES 135145 750 mL bottle $21.95
Wine, Red Wine, 14.5% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D
Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Sutter Home Winery
Release Date: Sep 26, 2009

Tasting Note When it comes to Cabernet Sauvignon the Napa Valley is as good as it gets and our wine of the week delivers all the luscious, intense dark fruit and complex flavors that is soooo Napa ... This wine is a full bodied showcase of blackberry and cassis tastiness with an underlying layer that's like a nip of dark chocolate. It's youthful, vibrant and drinkable - the perfect choice to pop open anytime you want to be transported to Napa ... Gotta love it ... (www.winexperience.com, July 31, 2009)

3.
ADELAIDA SCHOOLHOUSE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005
VINTAGES 128983 750 mL bottle $20.95
Wine, Red Wine, 14.9% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D
Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Adelaida Cellars
Release Date: Aug 29, 2009

Description
'East meets West in this brightly fruited textbook 'Paso' Cabernet. Benefiting from an infusion of over 2/3 limestone-influenced Westside grapes (50% from our 1800 ft. Viking Estate Vineyard), this wine marries mountain grown aromatic purity to warm climate ripeness.' (www.adelaida.com) Try this mouth-watering wine with stir-fried beef dishes or meat-based pastas.

4.
AVALON CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006
VINTAGES 684399 750 mL bottle $22.95
Wine, Red Wine, 13.8% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D
Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Premiere Wine Group/Avalon Winery
Release Date: Sep 26, 2009

Description
Though Napa Valley is known for producing some of the most expensive premium wines in the world, the area is still known for offering great values, such as this 2006 Cabernet. Intense aromas and flavours of blackberry and raspberry dominate with hints of allspice and vanilla also discernible. This flavourful Cab has the class to accompany rack of lamb or beef tenderloin.

5.
STONEHEDGE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
VINTAGES 25122 750 mL bottle $24.95
Wine, Red Wine, 14.3% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : D
Made in: California/Californie, United States By: Stonehedge Winery
Release Date: Sep 26, 2009

Description
Stonehedge Winery has established itself as one of the most reliable producers of affordable premium-quality wines in California. Their reserve wines are from 100% Napa Valley fruit, and this Cabernet offers the ripe blackcurrant aromas and silky tannins that lovers of Californian wines adore. This Cab is big enough to stand up to a grilled steak, but soft enough to be enjoyed on its own.

Jip Jip Rocks!

Fall is usually a good time for new releases - especially Aussie reds and Kiwi whites. I haven't been very adventurous lately, or perhaps I just haven't been moved by what has been offered in the most recent LCBO releases. And so I hoped that now that the weather is turning (well it is supposed to, but thanks to global warming, it seems that we are in the height of Summer again!) we hope to have more of a selection at hand. I guess I am still a little early . . .

While waiting for Jim Jim to come in (latest word is early November) I thought that I might give Jip Jip Rocks another chance. The last time I tried it was a couple of years ago. A friend of mine recommended it and then one of my fellow winos also pointed it out to me. It was a big red Parker loving Shiraz. It had all the elements - big forward red fruit, and smacking of black pepper with an after shock of cherry cough syrup. (sorry G - that was my first impression). Not my favorite style of Shiraz. I think that was in 2006 or 07 and we were tasting a Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2005.

Fast forward to September 2009. Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2007. Unctous, chewy, love! (oohh! that sounds a little too sex-s-ual!!) In the glass it was a curtain of intense, dark purple-red, almost opaque satin, staining the sides of the glass as it slid down. The aromas drifted upwards with a complex mixture of light smoke, black plum, leather, black pepper, allspice? oak? and minerals. Very intense. When I finally tore myself away from the seduction to finally taste, I was not disappointed. Lively and rich raspberry, dark ripe plum, bark, white pepper. Medium tannins supported the fruit, allowing for a perfect balance ending with a medium to long finish. I have learned my lesson, if at first they don't exceed, try, try again!

JIP JIP ROCKS SHIRAZ 2007
VINTAGES 673897 750 mL bottle $14.95
Wine, Red Wine, 14.5% Alcohol/Vol., Sugar Content : D

Made in: Australia Victoria, Australia By: C & E Bryson
Release Date: Sep 12, 2009

Description
Jay Miller, writing on Robert Parker Jr.'s website, gave this wine a score of 90, but did not provide a written review (www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2009)

Tasting Note
Young, oak-dominated nose - still closed. Powerful, ripe blackberry flavours with oak sitting just behind for now. 3-5 [years]. Score - 3 1/2 Stars (out of 5). (www.winestate.com.au, Undated)

Jim Jim - Throw us a bone!

One of my all time favourite wines is Jim Jim Shiraz by Hugh Hamilton. The problem is, I can never seem to get enough. I was cruising around the Vintages site thinking, where is Jim Jim? Of course I knew the answer - Jim Jim Shiraz is from McLaren Vale, Australia. The grapes are harvested in about late January/early February, at the height of the Summer, and shipped about two full years later after bottling which means Jim Jim arrives in the LCBO (if we are fortunate to get any) in about April or May. What I mean to say, is Jim Jim was long gone. Like a dog after a squirrel.

This year Jim Jim was released on May 2, 2009. I don't know what could have been more important, but by the time I got motivated, (I think the Monday following the release) it was almost gone. I think I snagged 2 or 3 bottles. And then of course, I had to try it. I had run out of the last batch about a year ago. I think that 2007 is even better than the 2006*. Raspberries, deep red cherries, a hint of tobacco, licorice, and vanilla, and a nice long finish. There may have even been 4 bottles, but they were so remarkably good, I all but squandered them away. Well, I had some help (Buck? Jim?). But now I am left with one.

So I googled Jim Jim. I was curious to find out if Jim Jim, the legendary dog, was still running the show down-under. I showed the pictures of Jim Jim to my son Little John. He was amazed to hear that a dog could be such a fine judge of grapes. He wondered how old Jim Jim is now. He commented that strolling around a vineyard chasing Kangaroos and tasting grapes sounds like a good time for a dog. He thought it would be great fun to be Jim Jim. So, I sent him an e-mail. Well not to Jim Jim, but to Hugh.

In addition to asking about Jim Jim, the main focus of my e-mail, I took the opportunity to ask when we might see some more wine in these parts. To my amazement, Hugh Hamilton wrote back and advised on Jim Jim (he is 13 years old, and is doing very well for an old pup) and that a new shipment of Jim Jim would be at the LCBO soon.

I will let you know once it is in, after I have a case in hand.

*My tasting note

Jim Jim Shiraz 2006

Big berry, black pepper, cherry, vanilla, hint of candied violet. Yum!

For more information on Jim Jim visit www.jimjim.com.au

JIM JIM (THE DOWN-UNDERDOG) SHIRAZ 2007
LCBO VINTAGES 682005 750 mL bottle
Wine, Red Wine, 13.7% Alcohol/Vol. Sugar Content : XD

Made in: South Australia, Australia By: Hugh Hamilton Wines
Release Date: May 2, 2009

Tasting Note
Very appealing aromas - bright and fruity- cherry vanilla, allspice with creamy blackberry notes. Smooth and ripe with dense layers of briary fruit and spice, a full texture with nice acidity to balance and a delicious linger... (Daenna Van Mulligen, www.winediva.ca, Sept. 16, 2008)

Morton's - Old Friends

The occasion was our 16th wedding Anniversary. With much careful thought, we decided to go to a place that we had never been to before - together or apart - and we landed on Morton's Steakhouse. Upon making reservations, we discovered that an old schoolmate of Buck, my husband, was now running the place.

When we arrived, we were seated at a generous table for two. Extra place settings were whisked away, and replaced by sparkling water. Peter came over to greet us. It was nice to meet him and hear old friends chat about school, and sailing and common acquaintances, and all that had past in their lives before today. The old times. Peter left us to absorb the menu and make difficult choices. The offering at Morton's is all so temptingly appetizing, and the wine list extensive.

Wine is usually left to me as I leave home repair to Buck. While our roof has never actually caved in (touch wood), we have never (yet) ordered a bad bottle of wine. Feeling like a kid in a candy shop, my head began to spin - Bordeaux, Burgundy, Shiraz, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Syrah, Champagne, Amarone, Hermitage, Meritage, and then like a beacon in the fog, I heard it calling: it's me! Rodney. Rodney Strong. Remember? I know I am not a Rothschild, but I am your old friend! If you can't have me at your table on an occasion like this when? If you cannot enjoy me, then who?

How could I say no? I turned to Buck and said - I think we should go with the Rodney Strong 2007 Pinot Noir. What do you think?

Rodney appeared at our table accompanied by two tall shining crystal soldiers - Riedel Pinot Noir Glasses. With swift hands our server removed the cork, poured a sample, and presented the wine to Buck for approval. He sniffed, swirled, sniffed again, slurped, and inhaled the wine. With one look from Buck, I knew we had made a good choice. Speechless, he nodded to the server. When it was my turn to try, I breathed shallowly at first, and then again more deeply. I could not believe how beautiful the aromas were - firm yet gently smelling of raspberries, and smoke, and something else. Candied violets? Not sweet but, inviting. I tasted, and savoured, and literally drank in the whole experience.

The rest of the evening was simply magic...

Thank you Peter. Thank you Rodney. To old friends! Thank you for joining us for our anniversary!

Cheers!

Noble Rot

Welcome!

If you have found yourself here, you are surely looking to read more about wine. Please be warned:

• I am not a writer.
• I am not even a big drinker.
• I do not limit myself to high priced wines with legacy names.
• I do not flatter myself to assume that I really know "the difference between Bordeaux and Claret" per John Cleese.
• This blog will not be limited to wine - to red and white I am true, however if the spirit moves me - well, you get my drift.

If you don't agree with what I have to say about the wines that I present, I welcome your comments. I cannot argue, because it is all a matter of taste. Your taste, my taste. We are all different. And that is what makes wine so interesting.

I sip, savour and enjoy wine with family and friends and get no greater thrill than to find excellent wines, of exceptional value that can be enjoyed on their own, or with cheese, or with whatever offering is on the table.

I must ask forgiveness and understanding in advance from my fellow Winos, Greg, Julie, Buck, Lorraine, and Paul, associate Wino Janice, and future Winos Bradley, Em, and Little John.

Without further adieu, I christen this blog "Wine Splash - confessions of a W!no". Look forward to posts from time to time as we find some liquid gold.

Cheers!