My 2 wines of the year (Over and under $15)

It is important to have an opinion on wine and many of my fellow wine educators get it wrong by saying we are "snob free." I have yet to see someone use this term that actually pours good wine. I would make more profit if I poured bad wines but that of course is not my style.

If you don't formulize an opinion on wine you will never become a better wine drinker and be stuck drinking mass produced wines like Two Buck Chuck, Menage a Trois, Cycles Gladitors and even worse over priced oak bombs like Silver Oak which are not cheap.

My 2 favorite wines this year are the 2007 St. Innocent White Rose Pinot Noir and the 2009 St. Urbans Hof Riesling for around $14 a bottle.

2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir White Rose Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (10/20/2010)St. Innocent Tasting: My current wine of the year and another great showing. Far superior to the 08 at this stage. Strawberry, floral, white pepper, wood and spice. Balanced and the tannins are not hard like the 08. Great bottle of wine. (95 points)

The crazy thing about the White Rose was it was as little as $25 at one of my favorite local wine shops and on-line it was $32 in which my Minneapolis Wine Club members were able to stock up on it prior to it being sold out.

2009 St. Urbans-Hof Riesling - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (12/15/2010)Really showing well today with peach, apricots, floral and pinneapple. Blind I might think this is a Kabinett or Spatlese. Wonderful wine and a great QPR. (91 points)

St. Urbans Hof is one of the best Riesling producers in Germany and not carried in enough wine shops around town. Try Sorella in Minneapolis as this QbA wine is outstanding and will turn you into a German Riesling fan for life.

What are your favorites?

Can't remember will start writing them down and post them on Cellar Tracker.

Cheers,

John Glas
Wineglas

Rum Reviews

Ron del Barrilito "Superior Especial" Puerto Rican RumFull flavor along with sweet, nutty, oak and carmel. A bit harsh.
43% Alcohol
Rating: 80 (not recommended)


Zaya Gran Reserva 12 Year Old Trinidad RumCarmel, spice, vanilla, oak and really smooth. This is a complex rum in complete balance.
40% Alcohol
Rating: 93 (Highly Recommended)

Royal Saint James Ambre St. James RumHot with spice, vanilla, earth and a lot of water on the palate. Not something I would want to sip but blended it would work.
45% Alcohol
Rating: 85 (recommended)

Bacardi "8" Ron Reserve Superior Bahamas RumFloral, oak, vanilla, hazel nuts and subtle spices. Smooth overall and very drinkable.
40% Alcohol
Rating: 91 points (Highly Recommended)

Cruzan Spiced Rum "9" St. Croix Rum Spice, smoke, oak and vanilla come together on a complex offering which is a really good value (under $12).
40% Alcohol
Rating: 91 points (Highly Recommended)

Tommy Bahamas Gold Rum Vanilla, oak, floral and spice. Not real concentrated and lacks complexity.
Rating: 85 (Not Recommended for the price)

Mount Gay Rum "Eclipse" Barbados RumA little heat with oak, hazelnuts, and water. Not as concentrated as I would like and a good candiate with a mixer. 
40% Alchohol
Rating: 85 points (Your call)

The first drinkable Minnesota Wine

2008 Crofut Family Winery Frontenac Northwoods Red - USA, Minnesota (12/17/2010)
This is the first Minnesota wine I have ever tasted that was drinkable. Mild sweetness with forest floor, prunes, cherry and rhubarb. Short finish. (74 points)

I could not believe it as it was drinkable. If you own a winery in Minnesota feel free to contact me with samples as I would like to see if there is a wine better than an 80 with grapes grown here.

John Glas
www.wineglas.com

Minneapolis Wine Club does Champagne

The final event of 2010 with the theme Champagne. The Mumm DVX stole the show however as it was an amazing find for $30 a bottle (only members at the event know where to get it).

My wine of the night was the 1998 Henriot Rose and the 1996 Henriot Brut both priced as low as $48 a bottle earlier in the year. Become a member of the club and you will find these special deals.

N.V. Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier - France, Champagne
Another good showing on this wine with apple pie, floral, lemon and minerals. A touch of sweet fruit on this one and a medium finish. A nice N.V. for $34. (91 pts.)

2001 Mumm Napa DVX - USA, California, Napa Valley
This is amazing stuff from the US with lemon, orange peel, chalk and minerals. It has a creamy texture in the mouth and medium finish. Very pleasurable and no flaws. (92 pts.)

2002 Louis Barthélémy Champagne Brut Saphir - France, Champagne
Nice wine but almost seemed like a Sparkling Riesling with grapefruit, lemon and minerals. On the palate it picked up some orange peel and dough character. Not a bad wine buy certainly not a WS 95. (90 pts.)

2000 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut - France, Champagne
A little disappointed with this one as it was no better than the N.V. I had 3 night earlier. Dark gold in color with yeast, floral, baked pie crust, and gold delicious apples. Medium finish and good flavors overall but lack acidity. (90 pts.)

1998 Henriot Champagne Brut Millésimé Rosé - France, Champagne
Myself and one other out of 11 liked this wine. Strawberry, pie crust, orange peel, floral and chalk notes. Not a big wine but more graceful. This should get better with age. (93 pts.)

1996 Henriot Champagne Brut Millésimé - France, Champagne
Another nice showing for this wine with dough, mineral, lemon, apple and good acidity. On the palate some candied fruit and really good mineral streak. Should improve with cellar time. (93 pts.)

2000 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon - France, Champagne
For the price I am not a buyer and this is really young but the Henriot Vintage from 96 is better and half the price. Chalk, orange peel, minerals, and dough on the nose and palate. There is a creaminess on the palate and has a medium finish. (92 pts.)
2007 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs - USA, California

Very nice and it is fun to see my wife like a Sparkler under $50. Lemons, mineral, spice and good acidity combine to make this an outstanding value for $25. (91 pts.)

Wineglas Top Ten of the Year

Top Ten of the Year


1. 2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir White Rose Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (3/7/2010)
Minneapolis Does St. Innocent (Edina Country Club): Medium purple. Nose of funk, floral, cranberry, and clay. On the palate this rocks with spice, cherry, white pepper, and roses. Good acidity and concentrated wine. Really balanced and for an 07 maybe the wine of the Vintage for Willamette. (95 points)

2. 2004 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (11/2/2010)
The transformation of this wine.
Popped and poured:
Rich and robust with smoke, cassis, oak, minerals and graphite. Firm tannins and needs some time in the decanter although solid. 93 points
2.5 hours later:
Violets, graphite, minerals, raspberries, coffee, herbs and smoke. Coming around a bit more.
4 hours:
Perfect timing! More subtle wine with coffee, raspberries, cassis, gravel and graphite. Concentrated and has a medium finish. This is a top ten wine of the year for sure! 95 points (95 points)

3. 2002 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E & E Black Pepper - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (11/11/2010)
Minneapolis Wine Club does Worldwide Syrah: Top ten wine of the year candidate and for $40 a steal. Complex wine with blackberries, cherry, charcoal, smoke and perfume. The palate is showing amazing depth and this wine has a long finish. (95 points)
BUY AT: Sold Out but try the 2001 at Haskell’s on closeout at only $40 a bottle!

4. 2005 Meek Family Estate Syrah - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (3/16/2010)
Dark purple. Nose is new world syrah with cherry, blackberries, oak, vanilla and spices. The palate reveals amazing concentration and features oak, vanilla, blackberries, smoke, spices and blueberries. Medium and multi layered finish. I think this is one of the top Syrah wines under $30 in the world. (93 points)

5. 2005 Domaine Carneros Brut by Taittinger - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros (11/21/2010)
Expressive nose of spice, dough and minerals. The palate is bright and features lemon, dough, minerals, chalk and nice spice flavors. Medium finish and acidity is excellent. This is better than almost all of the N.V. Champagnes I have sampled this year and a lot cheaper. (92 points)

6. 2006 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer (8/16/2010)
Twin Cities Wine Club German Riesling Tasting (Gail's House): A super Auslese. Honey, apricots, floral and peach dominate on this off-dry wine. Good complexity and the finish is lively with good acidity and ripe fruits. Highly recommended wine. (94 points)

7. 1996 Henriot Champagne Brut Millésimé - France, Champagne (11/25/2010)
Dark gold. Intense nose of apple, chalk, lemon and candied fruits. On the palate chalk, minerals, orange peel, lemon and candied apricots. Medium to lengthy finish this has it all. A wonderful Champagne and the best I have tasted in 2010. (94 points)

8. 2004 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Out-of-sight-vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/21/2010)
Minneapolis Wine Club does US Cabs; 4/18/2010-4/21/2010 (Shari's House): Wow! Medium purple. Nose of floral, cherry, chocolate, and spices. Very balanced wine and the palate has flavors bouncing all over the mouth. Really nice use of oak and there is a medium finish on the wine. A bit of chalk comes into the finish which was interesting. Well made wine! (94 points)

9. 2006 Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (7/10/2010)
A candidate for wine of the year. Medium purple with some funk, white pepper, violets, crushed rock on the nose. Big and powerful on the palate and a balanced wine. Concentrated and medium finish. Ranking in the top five considering QPR. Should improve with time. (93 points)

10. 2009 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Cellar Selection - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough (10/30/2010)
The wines of Villa Maria: One of the better Sauvignon Blanc wines I have sampled from New Zealand with grape fruit, orange, flint, and floral notes. Really aromatic and great acid profile. Medium and concentrated finish. (91 points)
Ask your local shop to get some of this wine


OTHER GREAT WINES
2004 Achával-Ferrer Malbec Finca Altamira - Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, La Consulta (3/2/2010)
Decanted 2 hours. Dark purple. Nose is amazing with floral, blueberries, perfume, and subtle spices. The palate is showing blueberries, espresso, spices, floral and earth. Medium finish and this wine is extremely balanced. This is the best South American Wine I have ever tasted! Thank you Parker Board for the $40 a bottle price!!!!! (96 points)

2007 Ridge Cabernet-Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains Estate - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (11/18/2010)
Minneapolis Wine Club does a Blind Tasting: A sleeper wine and now a top ten of the year for me. It was interesting that in a blind tasting of eight wines this was the lowest pro rated wine by quite a bit. Blind it was the group's favorite wine of the night. Firm tannins but the wine shows cherry, blackberries, coffee and spice on the nose and palate. The finish is medium and has a nice earthy quality. I was surprised how expressive the wine was and it dominated the 2007 Andrew Will Sorella in quality at this stage of the game. (94 points)

2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (10/30/2010)
St. Innocent Wine Dinner (Luci Ancora/ St. Paul): A super wine and dark in color. Perfume, coffee, spice, strawberry and vanilla. Concentrated wine and really balanced. This wine is drinking great right now and should improve and contend for a top 10 of the vintage. (94 points)

2004 Kaesler Shiraz Old Bastard - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (9/18/2010)
Minneapolis Wine Club Mixed Bag of Higher End Reds: Better than the 2003 and shows way more fruit. Dark in color and a nose of bacon, pepper, smoke, blackberries and cherry. Rich and concentrated and picks up some minerals on the long finish. A wonderful wine and have sampled it twice now with consistent notes. (95 points)

2004 Alonso del Yerro Ribera del Duero - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (2/27/2010)
Minneapolis Wine Club Spanish Reds (Anna's House): Dark purple. Nose of spice, dust, cherry, and floral. On the palate it features an abundance of spices, vanilla, oak, cherry, crushed rock and floral. Medium and concentrated finished. This wine was decanted 4 hours and it really opened up. For $25 a super value. I wonder if others who rated this so low didn't decant? (92 points)

1996 Henriot Champagne Brut Millesime

A reward for those checking out the blog and the price is outstanding at $48 a bottle at Winesteets on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving! A top ten wine of the year for Wineglas.

1996 Henriot Champagne Brut Millésimé - France, Champagne (11/25/2010)
Dark gold. Intense nose of apple, chalk, lemon and candied fruits. On the palate chalk, minerals, orange peel, lemon and candied apricots. Medium to lengthy finish this has it all. A wonderful Champagne and the best I have tasted in 2010. (94 points)

Wineglas is the only educator who posts notes on the best wines found locally and nationally.

Cheers,

John Glas
Wineglas

Free Access to Wine Spectator On-line

http://www.winespectator.com/

Free access to their wine reviews until November 28.

Cheers,

John Glas
Wineglas
www.wineglas.com

A former wine of the year not showing well in 08

In 2009 Wine Enthusiast named the 2006 Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir number one on their top 100 list. A good friend of mine with a great palate also gave the wine a 93 point score.

So what happened to the 2008? The 2008 version is weak and offers very little complexity. Neither 2006 or 2008 were great growing seasons in the Central Coast region as in 2008 they had reduced crop levels and not consistant temperatures. So this would explain the weak 2008 however I have not sampled the 2006 and should do so to compare. Cellar Tracker gave the 2006 an average of 87.6 and the 08 an average of 87.7. Once I sample the 2006 I will report back on this blog and let you know but I think Wine Enthusiast might be missing the mark as I have been disappointed with many of their top picks in the past.

The wineries descrption:

This wine develops aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, cranberry and blueberry fruit on the palate. Red fruit, vanilla and cinnamon are balanced with subtle earthy flavors. The mid-palate has a silkiness that continues into a long finish.

My Tasting Note:

2008 Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (11/12/2010)
Right out of the bottle was not good so I waited a few hours to sample again. Smoke, strawberries, wafer and cranberry on the nose. Candied fruit, cranberry but the palate lacks comlexity and is a bit watered down. Weak finish and really the only thing good about this wine is the nose. I will try this wine and day 2 and see if anything changes. (84 points)



If you buy this from the winery it is $25 vs. $15.88 at Morelli's in St. Paul.

I will update you on the 2006 soon.

John

Morelli's Delivers Deals

Once again Morelli's in St. Paul is offering some really nice prices on wine. It is CHECK OR CASH only but when you are saving big money who cares.

Many other wine shops can't stand Morelli's and I just want to tell them lower your inflated prices. No one should be selling Columbia Crest Grand Estates wines for $11.99

One of the top wine shops in town according to the bogus best of polls has the 2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc listed at $19.99 and you can get it for $14.99. Wow what a deal! At Morelli's it is on sale for $10.88 ($30 mail in rebates) = $8.38
That is $80 in savings on a case!!!

My favorite is the NV Roederer Brut Premier Champagne they have for $64.99 vs. $33.33
at Morelli's. My review on one of my favorite Champagne/Sparkling wines of the year:

N.V. Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier - France, Champagne (10/27/2010)
A wonderful wine with spice, lemon, minerals and dough notes. No flaws and the distributor said this is declassified juice from Cristal from 01. (91 points)

A few other picks are:

http://www.morellismarket.com/VSVDoorNo3.html
Print out the link for the Rosenblum and Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Wines2007 Rosenblum Cellars Petite Sirah Heritage Clones - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (11/17/2010)
Aromatic wine with smoke, pepper, blackberries, boysenberries and floral notes on the nose. The palate shows good concentration with pepper, spice, blackberries, and earth. Medium finish and just a fun wine to drink. (88 points) $12.97 (mail in rebate also)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Wines $10.97 (must print out link above) compare at $12.99 at other wine shop sales or more

Also:*NV Chandon Sparkling wines from California $13.88 (always solid)
*Cambria Julia's Pinot Noir $15.88
*Hogue wines $4.44 with mail in rebate (great party wine)
*Big House Red or White Boxed wine (best I have ever had) $10.88 ($2.72 a bottle) Way better than Two Buck Chuck!


2009 Big House Wine Company Big House White - USA, California (8/26/2010)
Huge floral spice, orange peel, citrus and melon. These wines are a crazy blend of whites and for the price drinkable and good every day wines. (87 points)

2009 Big House Red California $5.49
A blend of over a dozen red grape varieties, with blueberries, sweet cherries, earth, and spice. This should please a variety of guests, with a touch of sweetness on the palate. 87 points

All other details available at:
http://www.morellismarket.com/Current_Ad.html

A Minnesota Wine Legend Reviewed

Anyone who has ever asked what I think of Minnesota wine will be in for a tell it like it is statement of we don't have the right terroir.

Vitus Vinifera is the vine species responsible for grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. In Minnesota the frigid cold winters would kill this species so cold climate grapes have been planted as an alternative such as Frontenac, La Crescent and Marquette. According to the U of M website these are hardy grapes designed to survive the winters.

While many people enjoy visiting wineries in Minnesota I just don't get the desire to spend $20 for a bottle of Minnesota made juice when far superior quality is available for less than $10 such as Columbia Crest Grand Estates or many clients favorite the Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling from Germany.

At a recent wine tasting, I was able to sample one of the more respected local wines the 2008 Alexis Bailey Voyageur. I forced my friend to sample it also so that I had 2perspectives on the wine. We did sample the wine out of a real stem while the rest of the tasters were drinking out of a plastic cup which you can't really properly taste wine out of. Neither one of us enjoyed the wine and at $21.99 on sale we both were stunned anyone would buy this wine.

Here is my review:
2008 Alexis Bailly Vineyard Voyageur Alexis Bailly - USA, Minnesota (10/25/2010)
It is hard to believe this is one of the top Minnesota wines actually grown in Minnesota. It had a paint thinner quality to it along with damp earth. Short finish. At $22 a bottle it is hard to believe anyone would buy these wines. (61 points)

A much better alternative for under $20 at Hennepin Lake:

2007 Duxoup Syrah - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (10/27/2010)
What a great wine with cherry, plum, minerals and floral notes. Just fun to drink and while not complex as some Syrah wines it doesn't cost a fortune and at $15.95 worth buying half a case. (91 points)

While many people are advocates of buying local let me ask you this: How many people in Miami attempt to grow corn or coffee beans? There are certain areas of the world that are designed to properly grow a quality agricultural product and we do really well with corn, soybeans and apples.

Just telling it like it is in the world of wine!

Cheers,

John Glas
Wineglas

Minneapolis Wine Club Does St. Innocent

Minneapolis Wine Club Does St. Innocent
September 2010
This was the first time a Minneapolis Wine Club Event was dedicated to a single producer of wine. Front runner for wine of the year is the 2007 St. Innocent White Rose Pinot Noir and it did not disappoint.

2005 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Showing well with spice, mushrooms, forest floor, vanilla and good acidity. Medium finish. (90 pts.)

2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Winemaker's Cuvée Freedom Hill & Vitae Springs Blend - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Good but not great. Raspberry, spices, floral and pepper. On the finish picks up a wood quality. Medium finish. Drink now as I don't see this evolving much. (90 pts.)

2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir White Rose Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
My current wine of the year and another great showing. Far superior to the 08 at this stage. Strawberry, floral, white pepper, wood and spice. Balanced and the tannins are not hard like the 08. Great bottle of wine. (95 pts.)

2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir White Rose Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
A concentrated wine and needs some serious time in the cellar. Cherry, spice, leather, strawberry and minerals. Medium finish and tannic. Cellar five years and try again as it should evolve into a great wine. (93 pts.)

2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Not in the class of the 07 white rose. Spice, floral, stawberry and scorched earth. Medium finish which picks up some mineral notes. (90 pts.)

2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Should evoled into a really nice wine with 5 plus years in the cellar. Better than the 07 Justice. Spice, blackberries, vanilla, mushrooms and dark fruits. Really dark in color and could go to a 94 with time. (92 pts.)

2007 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Two Barns - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Strawberry, spice, raspberry and floral. Concentrated wine and shows more of a fruit forward style than a earth style. Nice wine. (91 pts.)



Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent

Minneapolis Wine Club does Chateauneuf-Du-Pape

Minneapolis Wine Club
Chateauneuf-Du-Pape
September
Shari's House

Another great tasting of some of the better CDP producers from the Southern Rhone that one can actually afford. Wine of the night was the 2006 Cuvee de Mon Auiel from Usseglio.

The newer vintages are more new world in style compared to the classic funk you get from CDP wines.

2004 Domaine de Cassan Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas (9/19/2010)
Solid effort with raspberry, spice, coffee, leather and earth. The finish is a little bit too acidic but overall a nice value wine. (89 pts.)

2003 Château Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/18/2010)
A bit cloudy in color. Nose spice, funk, raspberries and stone. Garrique, spice, raspberries, liqueur, hazelnuts and clay. Medium finish and dry. A solid wine that when I removed the capsule I was worried the wine was going to be dead as it had minor seepage but it is just fine. (90 pts.)

2001 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/19/2010)
A nice showing with spice, garrique, funk, leather, stones and floral notes. Medium finish and great acidity on this wine. Very well made in the traditional style. (93 pts.)

2004 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/19/2010)
A great wine without the funk of the 01 which would even make it better. Floral, raspberries, spices, coffee cherry and earth. The palate is clean but very flavorful. Medium and concentrated finish and a super balanced wine. (94 pts.)

2005 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/19/2010)
This should evolve into a super wine but is good right now. Decanted 4 hours. Floral, raspberries, plums, cranberry and minerals on the nose. The spices add greatly to the palate and finish. The decanted really allowed this wine to open up and the finish was showing a balance of fruit and earth components. (93 pts.)

2006 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/19/2010)
My last purchase of a Vieux Telegraphe the most overated wine from the Rhone. I have yet to have a great one and I have add several with 15 plus years of age. The nose is shut down and offers only some spice, cherry and cinammon. The palate is off with too much cinammon and spices. I am sure there is some fruit in there somewhere. Medium finish and boring. This is an 89 point wine to me and I would drink it but not pay $50 for it again. (89 pts.)

2006 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (9/19/2010)
My favorite producer from the Rhone. Another amazing showing of this wine with a nose of flowers, raspberries, spices, cherry and leather. The palate is flavorful and the fruit shines. Medium and concentrated finish and very clean. Not the classic funk of a CDP but that is fine with me on this amazing effort. (95 pts.)

Many of the wines are available at Winestreets and in order to know about the best prices in town on these wines you need to become a member of the Minneapolis Wine Club.

Hennepin Lake Charity Wine Tasting this Wednesday

*Hennepin Lake Community Wine Tasting
Wednesday, October 20
6 to 9 p.m.
$25 in advance or $30 at the door
www.calhounsquare.com/index.php
For tickets call Monica Smith at East Calhoun Community Organization at 612-821-0131

Calhoun Square in Uptown
3001 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403

This is the best charity wine tasting in the Twin Cities for the money and features over 400 wines. Phil Colich at Hennepin Lake has been behind this event for almost 30 years and it benefits local charities around Uptown. Last year they raised over $290,000. The funds raised help build relationships among neighbors, offer community events throughout the year, crime prevention and improving the quality of the neighborhood businesses and homes.

Il Gatto will be providing light appetizers but I always encourage people to eat prior to the start of an event such as this. Some of the highlights from last years tasting were the extensive $50 plus Napa Valley wines, red and white Burgundies, Oregon and California Pinots and quality everyday producers.

Due to the large amount of wines I always start with the top producers first and move to the lesser expensive wines before palate fatigue sets in. Also, I would bring a your own stemware as last year the wines were served in plastic cups, and no, you will not be a wine snob but a wine geek if you do. See you there.

Spasso Wine Dinner featuring Domaine Serene

A very nice wine dinner event that Spasso put on featuring the wines of Domaine Serene. Each wine was paired with a course.

1st Course
Butter poached lobster with Leeks and beet essence sauce
2007 Domaine Serene Chardonnay Dijon Clones Etoile

2nd Course
Foie Gras Au Torchon
with poached pear and arugula mint salad
2006 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir

3rd Course
Pan Seared Alaskan Sockeye Salmon with Hen of the Woods
2006 Domaine Serene Mark Bradford Pinot Noir

Humboldt Fog Aged Goat Cheese, Pecorino Re Niro and Beemster Aged Gouda
2006 Domaine Serene Rockblock Syrah

The Tasting Notes

2007 Domaine Serene Chardonnay Dijon Clones Etoile - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
A really nice effort. A rich wine with apple, pear, oak, spice and lemon. The wine is balanced and shows good acidity. This is one of the best Oregon Chardonnay's I have sampled. (92 pts.)

2006 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Another good showing for this wine. On the nose forest floor, spices, strawberry and cherry. No heat on this wine and really balanced. Medium finish and drinking well right now. (92 pts.)

2006 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Mark Bradford - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Really wonderful and sample next to the Evenstad Reserve. Medium purple and features blueberries, white pepper, raspberries and subtle oak. This is a very elegant 2006 and the acidity is perfect and went well with grilled salmon. Medium finish and soft tannins. Well done! (94 pts.)

2006 Domaine Serene Rockblock Reserve Syrah - USA, Oregon, Walla Walla Valley
Dark purple. Nose of black pepper, blackberries, minerals and earth. Good concentration and no heat. Well balanced and long finish. A nice expansion for Domaine Serene into Washington. 93+ (93 pts.)


All the wines were 92 plus and showed really well. I was not familar with their Walla Walla Syrah project and that should evolve into a nice addition over the years. Very good wines and they showed really well tonight.

Best Wine Bar in the Twin Cities

I just completed the best wine bar assignment and we have a winner. Go to the link to find out the top five wine bars: http://www.wineglas.com/Bestwinebarsinthetwincities.html

Enjoy,

John Glas

Wineglas

City Pages Wine Blogging

Check out my new City Pages Wine Blogs. This is the best coverage of wine in the Twin Cities at

www.wineglas.com/Citypageswineblog.html

Cheers,

John Glas
Wineglas