During the HIGH Wine Auction's annual trade tasting, ol' Dirty got a wee bit distracted-- Mingling, cuttin' rhymes, kickin' and choppin' and probably dropping tons of F-bombs. Thankfully, guest blogger, David M. Aferiat, ran through a ton wines and picked a few of his favorites.
(I actually do have some notes that I'll include in a later post)
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On Thursday of last week I made my annual visit to the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction held over the past few years at Atlantic Station. One of the best events of the entire weekend of activities is reserved for industry/”in the trade” representatives. The hundreds of wines on display are showcased by local distributors, importers, and even the actual winemakers in many cases. In attendance are media, wine retailers, wine educators, and restaurateurs.
With only an hour to sample the hundreds of wines on display, I got smart with some choices and lucky with others I tasted. Here are the highlights:
2004 Jean Thevenet Macon Villages
(France, Burgundy, Maconnais, Macon-Villages) Chardonnay. Price unknown (should be under $25)
Wonderful floral aromas with traces of citrus and melon in the bouquet. Great minerality supports a true pear, clementine, lemon and lime flavors. 100% Chardonnay.
2007 Tablas Creek Vineyard, Cotes de Tablas Blanc
(US, CA, Central Coast, Paso Robles) White Rhone Blend. Approx $20
Tasted the '06 the evening before at a Eno's Barrelman's event featuring Jason Haas and his family's wines. Like the '06 this vintage showcases a great quartet of varietals lead by the floral/apricot aromatics of viognier, the minerality of Marsanne, and enhanced by the acidic brightness of Roussane and Grenache Blanc – American version of the traditional Southern Rhone wines done right.
2005 Herri Mina Irouléguy
(France, Southwest France, Pays Basque, Irouléguy) Gros Manseng - Petit Manseng blend Approx. $20
Notes of melon, pear lifted with great acidity and freshness.
Interesting white for its uncommon blend of Gros and Petit Manseng and
Petit Courbu grapes – no oak. Different and very rewarding for the
summer ahead.
2006 Niner Sangiovese Bootjack Ranch,
(US, CA, Central Coast) Sangiovese. Under $20
A chunky, peppery red with smoky kirsch/blackcurrant and herbs de Provence scents (think fennel); delicate floral nose, well-balanced tannins and acid; hints of raspberry on the palate and a great soft and filling mouthfeel.
Reynolds Family Winery, Persistence Red Wine, Napa Valley, CA
(USA, CA, Napa Valley) Red Blend. Approx. $50
One of the finest American blends I've tasted (Washington's Bookwalter also comes to mind). Superhero boldness – the bottle struggles to contain what's inside. That said its a smooth roadster that hugs corners and delivers great cassis, chocolate flavors in a solid oak structure from first impression to the finish.
All of these wines are available in Georgia, and can be found or ordered by any wine retailer. Also, find them online also via Snooth.
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David Aferiat
David writes about wines for several publications including Jezebel Magazine and Texas Monthly, reviews wines for Wine South, and regularly gives wine tastings for non-profits and private parties. Previously David spent time working for a wine distributor and developed restaurant wine lists throughout Atlanta. David.grapefields@earthlink.net and his wine and food photos can be found on Flickr
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