Wine Tasting: Thinning the Herd

 

After taking a four month hiatus in light of the Delta variant, we're finally back! Thanks to all who were able to join us. 

This session ended highlighted a bunch of my favorite pandemic discoveries, including a bunch of bargains that are not likely to recur. This also made this session atypical, as I was familiar with almost every wine we had (#6 is the only one I'd not had previously). 

Here's what we had, my favorites in bold:  

1. 2018 Tatomer Steinhugel Santa Lucia Hightlands Riesling ($20): a good, dry California Riesling, available pretty regularly at Costco. A nice alternative to the usual Chardonnays and Sauv Blancs. 
2. 2012 Scherrer Sonoma County Gewürztraminer ($13): fantastic bargain white inherited from another winemaker to be bottled and sold by one of my favorite Zinfandel producers, Scherrer. Great on its own, or with Thai food. I've bought several cases already. Rounded and generous, without turning the corner to sweet or cloying.
3. 2017 Qupé Santa Barbara Grenache ($20): another Costco pandemic bargain (usually this retails for $30), I'm always looking for a lighter, energetic, food-friendly red wine. This was my go-to choice until I found the next wine...
4. 2019 Domaine Passot Fleurie Beaujolais ($16): my new favorite light, energetic red wine, this is an over-performing Costco bargain (still there this week, but who knows for how long) is 100% Gamay. It starts off juicy and red fruit driven, but ends with a surprising minerality. 
5. 2018 Lichen "Moonglow" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($20): another pandemic bargain, marked down from $34, and more interesting that most California Pinots, even at its original price. I'm generally not a fan of inexpensive Pinot Noir, but this is an exception. 
6. 2018 Fattoria Petrolo "Torrione" Val D'Arno di Sopra ($22): another solid Costco bargain (K&L has it for $25), this blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot was vibrantly Italian, with a mushroomy vibe and plenty of dirt on the finish. Way better than almost any California red at this price, and a natural pairing with many a pasta dish. 
7. 2013 Seghesio "Pagani Vineyard - Heritage Red" Sonoma Valley Red Blend ($20): another pandemic bargain, this time from K&L Wines, this is regularly a $36 bottle, and is also nicely aged already. I bought a case. Grapes from one of the legendary Sonoma Zinfandel vineyards, also known for Alicante Bouschet and Muscadelle. Not sure the blend on this, but it tastes like a field blend, with more structure and verve than a 100% Zin usually shows. Would be my favorite Zin of the pandemic, but for the next wine...
8. 2018 Limerick Lane Estate Russian River Valley Zinfandel ($20): this is the main wine from Limerick Lane and always a great bottle. But because they had a bunch of inventory that restaurants turned back, the winery offered it to their mailing list last year at wholesale price (regular price is $40). My only regret is that I didn't buy a couple more cases. This is everything I love about Zin, delivering rich, black fruit, almost opulent, but still in balance. I will miss this once I drink the 5 bottles I have left. 
9. 2013 Hawk and Horse Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon ($20): K&L Wines touts this as "$80 elsewhere," and there are plenty of places selling it for $50. Not sure I'd be enthusiastic at those prices, but at $20, this definitely over-delivers for California Cabernet. Definitely in the dense-and-powerful style, so I'm glad someone else aged it for me. Can't think of any Cabernet for $20 that would be better than this one.