Tasting Notes 12/9/11

Once again I had some fun with the tasting notes
for a Friday night event. You’ll pick up the theme
pretty quickly:

EGRET CABERNET 2008

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree.  But the tree dropped leaves all over my house, and, well, you know what the bird dropped.  So I exchanged ‘em for this wine, showing ripe blackberry and vanilla cream, well-integrated tannins, and a full, balanced finish.  89 points Tobins.  $16.97.

HOOPLA CABERNET 2009

On the second day of Christmas my true love sent me two turtle doves.  All that damn cooing drove me nuts, so I wrapped ‘em in bacon, threw them on the grill, and served them with this Cab.  Made primarily from Steltzner fruit, this begins with rich blackberries and a subtle eucalyptus note on the nose, which follow through on the layered mid-palate and on through the lingering finish.  90 points Tobin Bros.  $19.97.

HOGUE CABERNET 2006

On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me three French hens.  And while I appreciated the fresh eggs, my love for roast chicken won out.  So I paired those birds with this wine, which boasts a richness and complexity worthy of the holiday season, showcasing plum and cassis aromas and flavors augmented by notes of caramel, sandalwood and nutmeg.  Soft, supple and delicious.  90 points Wine Advocate.  $19.97.

RUBICON CASK CABERNET 2007

On the fourth day of Christmas Wendy (that’s her name) gave me four calling birds.  They sure lived up to their name, calling me day and night.  Can’t imagine what their Verizon bill is.  So I changed my number and celebrated with this wine, which is “gorgeous, elegant and ageworthy.  Dry and smooth, it has complex flavors of blackberries, black cherries, currants, red licorice, cola and oak.”  95 points Wine Enthusiast.  $39.97

KROHN RUBY PORT

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love delivered five golden rings.  But I’m not really a bling-bling kind of guy.  So once again I hit the exchange line and ended up with this amazing value that delivers great flavor and complexity for the price.  Dried cherries, raisins, plus hints of caramel, spice, licorice, and tobacco – along with that 19% alcohol level – will warm you up on these cold winter nights.  $12.97.

OLD CODGER TAWNY

On the sixth day of Christmas Wendy hooked me up with six geese a-laying.  Well, all their laying around drove me crazy, those damn lazy geese.  I gave ‘em a work list every day and nothing ever got done.  So I drowned my sorrows with this.  Resembling a Portuguese tawny, it’s a touch sweeter, with more up-front fruit and touches of molasses, baking spices, and caramelized nuts.  90 points Wine Advocate.  $16.97.

TAYLOR FLADGATE LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2005

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent me seven swans a-swimming.  What’s with all these birds?  Is she trying to say I’m a birdbrain?  Anyway, I re-gifted them to the good folks at Taylor Fladgate and got some of this in return.  Lucky me, ‘cause this is delicious and immediate approachable, in true LBV style.  Its powerful, aromatic nose serves as prelude to a rounded, balanced palate showcasing blueberry and raspberry fruit, along with floral, herbal and licorice notes.  90 points Wine Enthusiast.  $15.97.