Tasting Notes Friday 5/4/12

“BILL’S BETTER BUYS” TASTING, 5/4/12

ARGYLE BRUT 2008

                Many stories have been told about the life and exploits of William Michael Tobin, not all of them accurate.  I am here to set the record straight.  Bill was conceived on a wind-swept Bordeaux hilltop at the time of Veraison, and born under a canopy of Napa Valley Cabernet vines at bud break, his eyes sparkling like this beautiful Oregon Bubbly.  “It displays a bouquet of brioche, pear, apple, and white peach. Crisp, balanced, and lengthy, this excellent value is meant for drinking over the next several years.”  90 points Robert Parker.  $19.97.

 ANTICA CHARDONNAY 2009

                Some people insist Bill was born with a glass of Cab in his hand.  This is ridiculous; the wine was in a baby bottle, and it was Chard first, then Cab.  But it wasn’t as spectacular as this, which is “one of the most unique Chardonnays being made in California. It shows gorgeous textural finesse and fabulous overall balance. The signature Napa Valley richness is there, but in a cooler, more mineral-driven style. Smoke, crushed rocks and citrus are layered into the vibrant finish. This is a fabulous showing.”  94 points Wine Advocate.  $26.97.

 PELERIN PINOT NOIR 2009

                When Bill was only 8, a few of the other kids threw him in a vat of fermenting Pinot Noir as a prank.  Most kids would have cried, even panicked.  Bill just got busy.  A few hours later the vat was empty, and a thoroughly purple Bill sat at the bottom with an extremely contented look on his face.  Thus his love affair with Pinot began.  This one offers “bright aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and black raspberry, with inviting floral undertones and hints of white pepper. It is lively on the palate, with a juicy core of fruit, earth spice accents, and a kiss of minerals on the finish. A really charming Pinot with understated elegance and restraint.”  89 points Tobins.  $19.97.

 SIKA MERLOT 2009

                As a teenager Bill had several encounters that changed the wine world forever.  It was after meeting Bill that Robert Mondavi gave up his career as a harpsichord player and devoted himself to wine.  Joe Heitz planned on being a dentist before Bill convinced him to grow grapes.  And Warren Winiarski never would have replaced those Stag’s Leap cherry and walnut trees with Cab and Merlot without prodding from Bill.  This Merlot boasts “plum, cocoa and essence of roasted coffee beans mingling with blackberry, bing cherry, pomegranate, fresh raspberry compote and hints of lavender. It’s soft and plush yet solid in structure.”  90 points Tobins.  $19.97.

 EMILIANA COYAM 2009

            To say that Bill embraces earthly pleasures would be a gross understatement.  He has been present at every major party worth mentioning, and several that no one dares mention, but always with a glass of something amazing in his hand.  Like this Chilean blend, so “dark and muscular in style, with loam, roasted coffee and dark fig notes backed by more tar, tobacco and black cherry. Shows solid depth, with nicely buried acidity driving the finish. This has range and character.”  90 points Wine Spectator.  $29.97.

 L’ECOLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008

                In his twenties Bill wandered Eastern and Southern Washington, educating the locals about possible vineyard sites from Red Mountain to Horse Heaven Hills to Walla Walla.  This is one of the beautiful wines that resulted from his foresight.  It’s “firm, focused and dense, with blackberry, cherry, sandalwood and grilled rosemary flavors, coming together seamlessly on the long, vivid finish.”  93 points Wine Spectator.  $25.97.

 McPRICE MYERS “BEAUTIFUL EARTH” 2009

                Bill’s palate and his wines are in high demand throughout the civilized world.  No one graduates from the UC Davis enology program without spending a week under his tutelage, and he has wines in his cellar that princes and sultans have begged him for.  Like this impressive GSM blend, “a gorgeous, firm wine endowed with candied dark fruit, leather and licorice. There is a sensual element that takes shape in the glass as the layers of fruit emerge from this striking, Syrah-based blend.”  93 points Wine Advocate.  $33.97.