The OTBN event this year featured a tasty lineup of wines:
- Ravines 2007 Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes
- Von Schleinitz 2007 Apollo Dry Riesling, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
- Beni di Batasiolo 1999 Barbaresco
- O’Brien Estate Winery 2004 Seduction, Napa Valley
- Alere Vineyard 2007 GMS Blue Oak Vineyard, Santa Barbara
- Toasted Head 2008 Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Before we got too deep into the reds, we circled back for the Mosel Valley Dry Riesling. On a night when the spotlight was expected to be on the reds, this German wine was a crowd-pleaser. The wine has strong minerality and finished with a blip of tropical fruit. “Mineral domination,” shouted Ace of Bass. Sax Man is a big Dry Riesling fan and he was all smiles as he swirled and sipped. This was an aristocratic white.
As we served up the Barbaresco, it was a bit edgy. Green Dragon thought it had some acetone in the aroma. It wasn’t drinking well. I kept sampling as the conversations meandered and Ace of Bass and I were rewarded with a wine that opened up to some complex and enjoyable earthy flavors. This is a sturdy wine best enjoyed with a meal – or a cigar.
The O’Brien Seduction was a treasure wine from Ace and Glorious T.It is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. This is a wonderful wine that has snagged 90+ ratings from Robert Parker and other wine authorities. This had beautiful flavors of dark cherry and espresso.
Alere (ah-lare-ey) Vineyard and Winery focuses on Rhone varietals. Their GMS is a blend of Grenache (57%), Mourvedre (26%) and Syrah (14%). It is medium bodied with flavors of dark berries and plum.
We did indeed “Open That Bottle” and it made for a night to remember.
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