Sexy Tasting Notes 1/27/12

NCWC JEFF RUNQUIST TASTING 1/27/12

R BY JEFF RUNQUIST GRENACHE 2010

            After years of making wine for others, including J. Lohr, Jeff Runquist took off on his own in 2006 and started making delicious wines that reflect his theme of fresh fruit, no astringency, and overall vibrancy and drinkability.  He’s been hitting home runs ever since with wine lovers and critics alike; he recently won the Winemaker of the Year Award at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.  His Grenache waves aromas of plums, cranberry, apple, vanilla and hazelnut like a beauty queen at a parade, and follows with succulent sweet raspberries and cherries that are as friendly as that same beauty after she’s had a few glasses of this.  $19.97.

R BARBERA 2009

                We’ve all known at least one weird, dorky guy who somehow engineered an endless train of hot chicks.  This wine is that overachieving guy.  Barbera is known for its thin, acid nature, but check how rich and creamy this is.  Aromas of dark raspberry and cherry with notes of mocha and milk chocolate foreshadow a fully textured mouthfeel with loads of fruit and a long, harmonious finish.  88 points Tobin Bros.  $19.97.

R TOURIGA 2009

                In America, Touriga Nacional is as obscure as Brad Pitt used to be before “Thelma and Louise” came out.  When you taste this you’ll wonder why.  This is as rock solid as Brad’s abs, yet achingly rich and smooth, sporting lush, sweet toned berry aromas tinged with vanilla, with suave yet elemental flavors pushing out from a zesty, medium-full center — a near perfect matrix of intriguing intensity and pure, joyous drinkability.  92 points Bill Tobin.  $25.97.

R CABERNET 2008

                Can’t remember a time when Angelina Jolie was obscure, and this wine might be just as sexy.  It delivers classic aromas of currant, cassis, vanilla and tobacco leaf as surely as she handles that English accent in the Tomb Raider movies.  On the palate the wine delivers juicy red and black fruits with a medium to full body and dusty tannins. The finish is as soft and supple as Angelina’s, uh, lips.  90 points Tobin Bros.  $26.97.

R SYRAH 2009

                Once people taste this wine it becomes as hot as Bradley Cooper.  Its aromas are clean and bright, dominated by scents of juicy boysenberry, ripe black raspberry, and a touch of smoke that either comes from barrels toasted over a hickory flame or all that sexy heat. The earthy terroir driven flavors, common in ‘Old World’ Syrah, are relegated to the back seat on the palate, as bright succulent flavors of red and black fruits mingle with those of hazelnut and chocolate. The tannins stay as smooth and alluring as Bradley himself.  89 points Bill.  $19.97

R PETITE SIRAH 2008

                As breathtakingly gorgeous as Scarlett Johansen, this introduces itself with confident aromas of cassis and dense, ripe, concentrated blue fruits with notes of black pepper and smoky dark chocolate. Big creamy flavors of boysenberry and blackberries are balanced by creamy French oak. There is enough acid to keep the fruit flavors bright and succulent, and the texture is full of chewy yet polished tannins. The finish lingers as long as dear Scarlett does in countless male fantasies.  90 points Bill.  $22.97.

Z ZINFANDEL 2009

                This might be as voluptuous as Marilyn Monroe, with tantalizing aromas of red raspberry, black currant, and plums with an added mineral note accented by hazelnut, vanilla, and mocha. The flavors echo the nose in ripe, succulent fashion, sashaying across your palate with a creamy toasty oak overlay. The velvety finish comes from a complex blend of fruit and oak tannins that complete the seduction and keep you coming back for more.  $19.97.