83 Spatsbuager (sp?) from Hungary (Bag 4)
93 Ridge alicante (Bag 7)
95 Arciero Arpegio (Bag 1)
95 Atlantis (Bag 11)
95 Geyser Peak petite verdot (Bag 2)
95 Jade Mtn. syrah (Bag 9)
96 Alto chambourcin from Illinois (Bag 5)
97 Blackjack Harmonic meritage blend (Bag 8)
97 Vina Urbezo (Bag 6)
97 Witch Creek cab sauv/nebbiolo (Bag 3)
98 David Coffaro Neighbor's Cuvee Dry Creek (Bag 10)
Two-way tie for first place (after recount of voting):
96 Alto chambourcin from Illinois (Bag 5)
97 Witch Creek cab sauv/nebbiolo (Bag 3)Followed by third place:
98 David Coffaro Neighbor's Cuvee Dry Creek (Bag 10)Fourth place would have been:
97 Blackjack Harmonic meritage blend (Bag 8)Attendees: Jo Anne, Clark, Judi, Jim, Ruthie, Steve, Brad, Larry, Mary, Mike, A. David
My tasting rating (0-10): 9
Although the wines were not quite up to the standards for a true 9, a wonderful time was had by all. And isn't that really the bottom line!
(See my tasting rating scale for tasting ratings.)
Notes: The Hungarian was about as unusual/strange a wine as you will ever find. Not quite an aperitif like Cinzano, not quite a dessert wine like tawny port, not quite white zinfandel (perish the thought!). I would choose this wine to be most on theme.
The Jade Mtn. syrah was notably stinky. Bordeaux stinky. Somebody had beans for lunch stinky. I-605 just South of Irwindale Raceway near the turkey ranch stinky. But gooood!
Speaking of weird wine, the Alto chambourcin from Illinois is weirder than RuPaul. I said it had a zin-like nose, but was wimpy pinot noir on the palate. Very strange.
Generally speaking, all the wines had something interesting going on, but nothing really knocked my socks off. For the money, some of these are a bargain. For others, the Weird Factor was worth the price.
