2003 Boston WIne Expo

[Kcwhippet]

While there are certainly some aspects of the BWE that can make you want to run out screaming, there as many, or more, positive things to make you want to stay. You have to attend with a purpose and try to ignore some of those shills on the other side of the tables. You also have to learn to navigate the floor as if you're an ice breaker making your way through an irritating but navigable ice field. Personally, I was very pleased with the event. I met some old friends I visited with and met some new folks who are making some exciting wines and non-wine products. On the expectation of our upcoming visit to the Finger Lakes, I ran their table and tasted some very nice Rieslings and Cab Francs, while the rest of their offerings were somewhat unexiting. The Rieslings from Lakewood, Fox Run, Hunt Country (had a very nice visit with Art Hunt), Lucas and Heron Hill opened my eyes somewhat. The Cab Francs from Hunt Country and Hosmer were very nice, as well. I went from there and spent some quality time with Ernst Loosen from Dr. Loosen and J. L. Wolf (the property he took over a few years ago). It was very educational to be able to compare the very different styles between the Finger Lakes and Germany. Then there was the opportunity to taste the latest offerings from old friends Dex and Val Ahlgren (who don't make the trip out anymore because of age). Their grand daughter poured a beautiful Santa Cruz Nebbiolo, a Paso Robles Syrah and two Santa Cruz Cabs - Harvest Moon Vineyard and Bates Ranch. One of the greatest finds was Arcadian from Santa Ynez, CA. Joe Davis (the owner/ winemaker)had two Chards and two Pinot Noirs - one each from Bien Nacido and Monterey's Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, but very, very Burgundian. If you can find these - definitely try them!! They're newly distributed by Horizon here in MA and I saw Paul Provost (from Table and Vine) smacking his lips at that table. Steve Reynolds was there with his Stags Leap District Cabs that were simply wonderful, very extracted wines with very approachable tannins. Saw Ken Volk from Wild Horse again and he was up on his Rhone style Equus line. Very nice Marsanne, Rousanne, Syrah and Mourvedre. Did the Oregon table, and all the usual suspects were there pouring some very nice juice. Some nice stuff from Australia, including a new (to me) find in the Paiko wines from Boynton's, as well as Penfold's delicious Kalimna Shiraz and a wonderful Riesling from Wynn's. A real hoot was Mac McDonald, the first black winemaker I've met and a real showman. He had two very nice Pinot Noirs - one made from Sonoma fruit and the other from a blend of Sonoma and Marin County (who'd a thunk it). I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I look at the BWE like shopping at Spag's (for those of you in the MA area). I think the greatest problem is the large number of people who have no idea why they're there or what constitutes tasting etiquette, but you can bristle at the crowds and fight the surges or you can flow through the holes and enjoy the experience. I enjoyed the BWE.

[This message has been edited by Kcwhippet (edited 02-03-2003).]