Pizzaioli Tuesday Night WineTasting - 7/27/10 Old World vs. New

Tasting cost: $18.00                    
                            
Mer Soleil 2008 Chardonnay Silver Ceramic Bottle Unoaked Santa Lucia Highlands
(Caymus) (USA): $ 27.00
These ceramic bottles are meant to reflect the cement vessels that we use when
fermenting and aging Silver Chardonnay.  This wine sees no wood, helping to maintain
the bright fruit characters and minerality produced  from the chardonnay grapes in our
Mer Soleil Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Bouchard Pere & Fils 2006 Pouilly-Fuisse (France): $ 26.00
A classy lightly oaked chardonnay with lifted grapefruit, pear, fennel and light
woodsmoke on the nose. Medium weight, with fresh lemon-grapefruit, some creaminess
and alcohol warmth. Mineral finish reflects the region’s limestone soils. Very good length.

Campo Al Mare 2007 Red Wine Bolgheri (Italia): $ 30.00
WS 91pts - According to the Wine Spectator - Notes of currant, coffee, berry and light
toasty oak follow through to a full-bodied palate, with big, velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best after 2011. 8,000 cases made. –JS

Justin 2007 Paso Robles Red Wine Justification (USA): $ 35.00 
WE 92pts.  -  Winemaker Notes - Aromas of currant, black tar, leather and cedar make up
the nose our 2007 right bank Bordeaux blend. The entry is bright with red fruit, soft, elegant
and extremely approachable. The mid palate has good weight, and exhibits flavors of red currant,
blackberry, cedar and caramel. Slightly dusty tannins from the Cabernet Franc blend perfectly
with vibrant fruit from the Merlot, to make this wine elegant and seamless from start to finish.
The finish is a bit tight, showing the age worthiness of the wine.

Mas Alta 2006 Priorat Artigas (Espana): $ 30.00
WA 92pts.  -  According to the Wine Advocate:  … 80% Grenache with the balance
Carinena and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of smoke, liquid mineral, underbrush, incense,
and black cherry are top-class. They lead to a ripe, full-bodied, nearly opulent wine with
excellent balance and a forward personality. This pleasure-bent effort can be enjoyed over
the next eight years and, in the scheme of things, is a good value for a wine from the Priorat DO.  

D'Arenberg 2006 Grenache McLaren Vale The Derelict Vineyard (Australia): $ 23.00
WA 91Pts  -  Tasting Notes - According to the Wine Advocate, the deep crimson-colored 2006
The Derelict Vineyard Grenache is redolent of garrigue, lavender, and black cherry aromas.
Dense, layered, and sweetly fruited, it will deliver pleasure over the next six years.