Report on Vintners' Tasting at Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend

[wondersofwine]

I didn't take many notes. It was outdoors, standing up, at Symphony Park. No tents so the wines got overly warm. I made the rounds of the booths twice, first for white wines and Pinot Noir and then for heartier red wines.
The 2001 Landmark Syrah had a slightly funky aroma but was a pleasing to the palate hearty wine.
The 1998 Chateau Guiraud is a 1st growth Sauternes. Very nice and easily placed as a Sauternes.
The 1998 Castel Giacondo Brunello di Montalcino (13% alcohol, 100% Sangiovese) proved that Brunellos can be approachable in five or six years' time, unlike Barolos. This is a Frescobaldi product and a Signor
Frescobaldi was on hand to do the pouring. His family has been in the wine business for 600-700 years! Very delicious. Website recommends for drinking with game, lamb, or hearty beef dishes.
2000 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon--nice and not too tannic. Liked better than my previous sample of Silver Oak C.S. which was probably from a better vintage but more tannic in its youth. Pourer said this will hold for 15 years. Maybe.
2003 Honig Sauvignon Blanc--nice aroma. Grapefruity. Not a bad California S.B.
Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve (didn't get the vintage)--Carneros. Nice.
2001 Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel, Amador County, 15% alcohol. Liked this better than the 2001 Renwood Fiddletown Zinfandel, also 15% alcohol.
Beaulieu Vineyards Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (didn't get vintage--darn--probably 2000). 13% alcohol Retails for about $25. Really nice wine--a relative bargain at that price.

[Innkeeper]

Yum, yum.

[Drew]

Do you work for a living or just taste wine? Always great notes and snippetts.

Drew

[hotwine]

I'll second that. Really appreciate you taking the time to write those notes up, Wonders.

All you guys write first-rate notes. I enjoy every one.

[winoweenie]

Holy-Moly WOW what a bunch of fun wrapped around a bunch of giggles. " My kinda' town ole' Charlotte is." That could make a great name fer a tune. WW

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 05-03-2004).]

[Kcwhippet]

WoW, was that the Alexander Valley or the Napa Valley Silver Oak?

[wondersofwine]

Actually, I'm not sure--forgot to check the label. The one I tried previously was Alexander Valley.

[Kcwhippet]

Personally, I tend to prefer the Napa Vly over the Alex Vly, but really after about ten years or so of cellaring.