Starter Seaview Brut from Australia I had this before and liked it. This one had too much sweetness and too high alcohol. We had an amuse bouche and it went very well with that, but just for sipping it was a bit clumsy.
First Course Stella di Notte Pinot Grigio Got a lot better with the food. As a sipper, lush, nice body, low acidity. As a food wine, good balance and acid and showed a bit of fruit in the palate, some fruit on the nose. Calamari brought out light minerals and friendly flavors.
Second course Abadia Retuerta Rivola 04 Tempranillo Cab blend. I would rate this 90 + points on this night. Opened 45+ minutes, the wine was fully open with dense, dark ripe aromas and flavors. More than we needed with this course, but it sure was good. Priced under 20, it would make a heck of an acquisition for a near term charmer for the cellar.
Huntington Petite Sirah 05 Showing spice and oak, I thought some American but RJ thought all french. Well integrated with big flavors and big alcohol. Attractive price, too.
Pascual Toso Cabernet 06 Really nice Cab from Argentina at a great price. Fully saturated and jammy with fine red wine flavors, maybe not as much briar as I would like, but everything else. Went like a champ with a beef ragout and a shrimp risotto that scared me but had some turmericy minerals and that saved the dish. Would recommend any of the 3 reds or all.
Neirano Moscato d’Asti Made a good match with dessert. Aromas of orange blossom and roses, light body with special aromas and good acidity. Just the lightest spritz, not a wired down cork. Very good price too. GH
