2005 Gaja Sito Moresco

Sito Moresco is but one of many Barbaresco vineyards that provides the grapes for this Piedmont red. While some consider this to be an introductory Gaja wine, it certainly has a powerful, yet graceful nature with gorgeous aromas of vanilla, black and blue fruits, spice, and leather. The flavors follow the aromas; it's all there.

Gaja's single vineyard Barbarescos are phenomenal; my favorite: the 1997 Langhe Sorì San Lorenzo, Sorì means "hill" and San Lorenzo is the patron saint of Alba.

Sito Moresco is Gaja's Piedmont baby, an unusual blend of nebbiolo, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot. Gaja is known for his unusual ways: he opted out of DOCG status in 1996 by blending barbera into his some of his Barbarescos, he made two extraordinary chardonnays and a cabernet sauvignon which he contends was made to bring international attention to nebbiolo, dabbled with Brunello di Montalcino with his 1997 single vineyard Sugarille from his winery--Pieve S. Restituta, and founded Ca'Marcanda in Bolgheri, due south of Sassicaia and Ornellaia, which makes some of the most provocative, yet affordable blends in Bolgheri, I've had the Promis and also the Magari, but have yet to try the proprietary Ca'Marcanda.

When asked to describe Nebbiolo, Gaja responded

Cabernet is to John Wayne, what Nebbiolo is to Marcello Mastroianni. John Wayne is a strong personality. He speaks in a loud voice. Marcello Mastroianni would never be in the center of a room. He is shy. He is a closed book. And women become beautiful beside him. This is the beauty of Nebbiolo.

2006 Viñedo de los Vientos Tannat

The Tannat grape originated in Madiran, located in southwest France and made its way to Uruguay in 1870.
This particular bottling by Viñedo de los Vientos (Vineyard of the Winds) caught my attention while attending a wine tasting at the Spirited Gourmet a couple weeks ago. They weren't pouring it, but having already developed an interest in the wine (I'm told a good French version is best described as a "monster with manners" and pairs nicely with steak frites), I decided to pick up a bottle. Upon opening, woodsy, subtle black fruit, and bittersweet chocolate aromas become evident. Soft fruit, toasty oak flavors glide across the palate; the tannins are present, but not nearly as harsh as was expected.

2005 Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills (H3) & 2007 Mollydooker The Scooter Merlots

Columbia Crest's H3 Merlot was beautiful upon opening it last night. On the other hand, my mother thought it was a bit closed and required aeration. That being said, as more was poured during dinner the luxurious amounts of fruit that flowed were a pleasant surprise; simply said, tasty and a worthy representation of Washington merlot at its finest. This is definitely a wine that can be enjoyed several days after opening, one that'll pass . Tonight, is Mollydooker's The Scooter. Upon opening, ripe cherries were the dominant aroma with a spicy overtone I find common in Australian reds. After doing The Mollydooker Shake the chunky texture described by Wine Spectator's Harvey Steinman disappeared.

1995 Guenoc Reserve Beckstoffer IV Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

At age 13, you could smell and taste the loamy currant, well-integrated tannins coat the mouth, all of this leaves me wanting more. This pales in comparison to the other wine of the night (see below).

2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia

Wine Spectator named this Wine of The Year in 2005 and gives it 96 points and predicts it to be best starting in 2008. Upon opening, aromas of black currant and other black fruit were quite apparent. Tasting the wine revealed a symphony of flavors that were strikingly balanced and followed by an extremely long finish that made me blush. It's been nearly 4 minutes since my last sip and I can still feel the softness of the tannins on the inside of my cheeks. How well this pairs with the porterhouses that have been marinating remains to be seen. This one is for you P.

2004 Marquès de Càceres

Two days old, but still a nice tempranillo showing aromas of wet earth and spicy red fruit. The aromas remind me of this wine in particular.

2006 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon

A Paso Robles Cabernet with little, if any, aging potential--two day test yielded mostly oxidation as opposed to fruit and secondary flavors, three day test revealed what little fruit was remaining.