The Official Wine Thread

[Huntsman]

It's Friday and we are drinking lunch.

Just the right age for a Riserva.

 

[Omega Male]

This one will go for another decade I think. Superb value at $32. Should have bought more.

The 2011 vintage in Rioja was marked by hot, dry weather, which came on the heels of two phenomenal vintages (2009 and 2010), but the best producers, like Cune, followed through with aplomb.

Cune’s 2011 Rioja Reserva, a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo, is a touch shy after popping the cork but opens beautifully with just a bit of aeration. In the glass, it shows a classic dark garnet core, with slight ruby and purplish reflections throughout. Aromatically it projects red and black plum, a touch of red currant, and that slight sandalwood, maturing tobacco, leather, and cedar spiced quality with hints of dried coconut, exotic baking spices, and a kiss of wild vanilla bean in the background. All these delicate spices come from lengthy aging in new French and American oak. This, like many other classic Rioja bottlings from the best producers will live a long life. I’ve had these wines going back to the ’70s and ’80s, and believe me, this 2011 is just getting going. If you are enjoying it in its younger and more vulnerable years give it 60-90 mins in the decanter, served in large Bordeaux stems. But otherwise, I would highly recommend putting aside a case and enjoying a bottle each year to experience the perfect evolution of a beautifully polished and classic Rioja.

 

[NJE66]

Duck brest a l'Orange for dinner so a Burgundy is the ticket

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Hopefully not over the hill...

 

[jbarwick]

Wife was promoted so we had some bubbles last night. Our first adventure in Napa started at Mumm so there is a personal connection when we drink this. We also liked Frog’s Leap so sometimes we will grab a random bottle from them.

 

[NJE66]

Hefty tapas today; patatas bravas, chorizo and tortilla de patata. Good value in this Priorat. Also tried a Syrah from Jumilla which was a first

 

[Omega Male]

 

[erictheobscure]

too lazy to go downstairs to take a photo of an empty bottle, but tonight we opened some martha stoumen (the post-flirtation red). delightful, easy drinking but still interesting natural wine for $26 direct from the winery.

 

[Omega Male]

 

[Omega Male]

This one is quite an experience. Smells like coal tar -- luckily doesn't taste like it!

 

[NJE66]

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Barbera or nebbiolo?

 

[Omega Male]

Barbera. Superb.

Pre-gaming wife’s office Christmas party. No way to face that straight.

 

[NJE66]

Some good barbera out there.

Spain, gran reserva, here we go again.

 

[Omega Male]

Burt Williams of Williams Selyem died today. ?

Did as much as anyone to put Russian River Pinot on the map. Don’t have any in the house but will go get some from the locker this weekend to drink a toast.

 

[Piobaire]

Some rando pics.