'05 Tobin James Lagrein

[Innkeeper]

2005 Tobin James, Silver Reserve, Lagrein.

It gave us jammy red and black fruit and an almost opaque color on the eye, nose, and upfront. There was more fruit in the middle with plenty of acid and only 13.5% alcohol. The finish was a four lapper, and I had to arm wrestle Bev for the last drop.

We matched it with smoked Mediterranean lamb racks, rice in beef broth, and peas. Great start to the Memorial Day weekend!

[TheEngineer]

I've like his Lagrien's they always seem to be a good level of structure behind all that lushness.

[Innkeeper]

We love them too, and it's too bad to have to settle for one a year. But at $48 per pop, we will settle.

[Innkeeper]

Had a hard time finding this due to the fact that the search isn't working. We popped the '06 tonight. Hard to tell if there was much difference than the '05 except the alky was up to 13.8.

We matched it with rib eye steak, bread, and salad. Excellent.

[Thomas]

Are those wines 100% Lagrein?

I haven't had them, but the description does not sound like the Lagrein varietals from northern Italy.

[Innkeeper]

Not very European, but also not over the top Californians. Yes they are 100%. There are reportedly five Lagrein vinyards in Ca-Ca of various demensions.

[Thomas]

Thanks, IK. I'll have to look into them and see if I approve

[Innkeeper]

I've been told that there is one made by an outfit called Mosby that is supposed to be more European than others. Haven't latched onto one yet!