Tasting Notes, 7/1

I wrote these tasting notes in honor of
our Founding Fathers. Seemed appropriate,
seeing as how it was the start of July 4th weekend!

LAURENT MIQUEL CHARDONNAY VIOGNIER 2009

                In Thomas Paine’s famous pamphlet, “Common Sense,” he not only made the argument for independence from the British, I’m pretty sure he talked about what a nice wine this is.  It’s clean, pretty nose of apples, pears, and floral notes leads to a delightfully quaffable mouthful exhibiting the same flavors.  This goes with Summer sipping like Concord goes with Lexington.  87 points Jim Tobin.  $12.97.

RUNQUIST “R” TOURIGA 2009

                When Patrick Henry said “Give me liberty or give me death,” he then added “and while you’re at it, give me a glass of Touriga!”  Don’t know why that one didn’t make the history books.  Made from a grape typically used in the production of Port, this is rich, smooth, and lush, with blackberry, black cherry and oak flavors declaring independence from weak, boring wines. 92 points Bill Tobin.  $25.97.

RUNQUIST “Z” ZINFANDEL 2009

                When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to enjoy an elegant style of Zinfandel made from vines planted in the 1920’s, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that one reach for this, with its bright aromas and bright flavors of raspberry and boysenberry riding a medium-bodied mouthfeel like Paul Revere riding his horse.  One if by land, two if by “Z.”  88 points Tobins.  $19.97.

RUNQUIST “Z” ZINFANDEL 2008

                John Hancock didn’t write the “Z” on this bottle, but the wine carries as much flair as his signature.  The rich, ripe nose of blackberry, raspberry and vanilla fires when it sees the whites of your eyes, then leads to an equally ripe entry into the palate, where those same flavors hold their own truths to be self-evidently delicious.  91 points Bill Tobin.  $19.97.

RUNQUIST “R” BARBERA 2009

                Let’s raise a toast to Ben Franklin, patriot, scientist, and inventor of the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove.  He didn’t invent this wine – Jeff Runquist did that – but he surely would have enjoyed its red plum with integrated oak flavors, its clean, crisp character and its nice finish.  Ben, known for his appetites, would also appreciate that this goes with food like Poor Richard goes with Almanack.  88 points Tobins.  $19.97.

RUNQUIST “R” SYRAH 2009

                Thomas Jefferson closed the Declaration by stating “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”  He also pledged to enjoy good wines, which he did often and in great quantity.  He would have loved this, as round, lush and full-bodied as Sally Hemings must have been.  It’s got smooth fruit, with those telltale Syrah meaty notes and nicely integrated tannins.  89 points Bill Tobin.  $19.97.

RUNQUIST “R” PETITE SIRAH 2008

                George Washington’s midnight trip across the Delaware River was only partly about that whole British tyranny thing.  It was also because they were hoarding the best wines.  He would have enjoyed wetting his wooden teeth on this one, with its full, rich flavors of briary wild berries and grippy tannins, and a finish as long as the British army’s trip back home after we kicked their butts.  90 points Bill Tobin.  $22.97.