Wednesday Wine Tasting

So here’s the deal. Friday’s been getting so much love, what with the popularity of
our Friday Night Tasting Events, that Wednesday was getting jealous. Really jealous.
Not quite to a “Fatal Attraction” level, but still. The dirty looks, the snide comments…
it was getting pretty tense around here.

Thus begins our Wednesday Night Wine Tasting! Celebrate the middle of the week in grand
style at North County Wine Company, with a tasting of six wines for only $10.
Starts anytime after 5 pm. Come join the fun!

For our inaugural tasting, Wednesday, 1/19/11, we welcome Marci From Henry Wine Group
as she pours these six wines:

Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009, $12.97 (New Zealand Sauv Blanc = No Brainer)
Venta Morales Tempranillo, $6.97 (incredible value – you’ve got to taste this!)
Morellino Sangiovese, $8.97 (great food wine and another tremendous value)
Juan Gil Jumilla Red, $13.97 (delicious Monastrell from Spain)
Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2008, $14.97 (an elegant counterpoint to Aussie Shiraz)
Karly Zinfandel Buck’s 10 Point, $18.97 (beautiful Zin in a balanced style)

And here are our tasting notes, as written by Bill!

“The Good Life” Tasting

Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc, 2009

At its core, Philosophy involves the search for truth.  As an old winegeek once said: “The first obligation of any wine is to be red.”  This wine proves the falseness of that attitude with it’s lovely citrus, floral and mineral notes rising in its defense.  Appreciate the long finish of gooseberry, tropical fruit, and mineral notes  and stand up for the truth: White wine has its place in “The Good Life”.  89 pts. Tobin Bros $12.97

Venta Morales Tempranillo, 2009

One branch of Philosophy concerns Aesthetics which deals with art, beauty, sensory-emotional values, perception, and matters of taste and sentiment.  This wine is all about the tast element.  Bright, elevated Bing Cherry fills the nose as a strong core of fruit fills the palate.  What a bargain.  87 pts. Tobin Bros $6.97

Juan Gil Jumilla, 2008

Philosophy explores how we interact with the world around us.  A major question for Philosophers throughout the ages has been whether Quality exists in the subject or in the object.  This wine, with its bright, juicy fruit and licorice and fruitcake notes, makes me want to argue for the object- the wine.  Let’s just say that Quality exists at the point of intersection between the subject and the object.  In this case that would be as you taste the wine.  I’ll take a second glass please. 89 pts. Tobin Bros

Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache, 2008

Epistemology is the branch of Philosophy which deals with the nature and scope of knowledge.  What I know is that this wine is bright and juicy, with appealling focus to the raspberry, red cherry and rhubarb fruit, sailing serenely over the polished texture of the open finish.  Let knowledge lead to wisdom.  I’ll open another bottle while you think that over.  90 pts. WS   $14.97

Fattoria Le Pupille Gepetti Morellino Di Scansano, 2007

Philosophy of mind deals with the nature of the mind and its relationship to the body.  When I think of this wine I don’t mind the round, juicy blackberry, black cherry and hints of fresh herbs and chocolate on the palate, or its relationship to its plump medium body, finishing with good fruit and mineral notes.  88 pts. WS  $8.97

Karly Buck’s Ten Point Zinfandel, 2008 Amador County  $18.97

Ethics, or moral philosophy, is concerned primarily with the question of the best way to live, and secondarily, concerning the question of whether this question can be answered.  I think this wine answers the question by delivering bright, boysenberry and raspberry flavors throughout the complex mid-palate.  Balanced, with a long finish.  Live it up!  90 pts. TB