VinoFranco

Yesterday marked the last Saturday of the shortest month in 2010 -with it, came a night full of laughs, new friendship, old acquaintances, and many wines. Sommelier Brian Hay held a party at his humble maison, where guest were asked to bring a bottle, one that might have been saved for a special occasion, and hence Open That Bottle Night went underway. There was nice food on tables [a delicate slow-cooked pork with a rockin' habanero jelly], good conversation (ranging from Arak to Bordeaux to Ouzo to Zinfandel) between oenophiles and nice wine to inbibe.

There were many to choose from, from Californian cabs and blends, to classic Argentinian and Chilean reds, traditional Italian such as Brunello di Montalcino, Spanish such as Ribera del Duero, and French wines such as Cotes du Rhones, as well as the Aussi or Kiwi bottlings. Too many to name, too many to try them all indeed. However, just a brief list of some of my favorites in no particular order

By far the oldest vintage I saw that night, a classic example of the kind, and it was a wine I had been saving for such a special night:

1999 Chateau d’Armailhac, Grand Cru Classe, Appellation Pauillac Controlee; from the house of Baronne Phillipe de Rothchild in Bordeaux

• The wine has a fine, rather vivid red colour with a ruby tint and a very open, complex nose on which fresh fruit (cherry, blackcurrant, redcurrant) and floral aromas (violet, lilac) mingle with denser notes of vanilla, tobacco leaf and cedarwood.
  The body builds rapidly from a substantial attack on round, harmonious tannins which unfold over elegant, well-integrated oak, developing a pleasant suggestion of liquorice, menthol and spice on the palate.
  The long, elegant finish displays highly refined tannins and lingering red fruit flavours.

2008 Wolffer Estate ‘Diosa’ Late Harvest Ice Wine, The Hamptons, Long Island, New York

• Bright golden color. The nose is filled with amazing fruit aromas of ripe apricots, peaches and even some lime, all drizzled with honey. The fruit is extremely clean and focused. The mouth-feel is lush and vibrant with bursts of rich, ripe fruit that is very well balanced by acidity. This concentration of flavors with the abundance of sugar and the crisp acidity together in each sip make this such a special wine. The finish is layered with fruit and beautiful sun drenched skin characters that together with the acidity help to make this a very food friendly wine and are the key to longevity. Technical Notes: Although it is labeled as Chardonnay the wine is a blend of 75% Chardonnay, 12% Vignoles, 10% Gewürztraminer and 3% Trebbiano.

2006 Inniskillin Riesling Ice Wine, Niagara Peninsula  VQA

• Perfectly balanced, this wine shows unique aromas and flavours of apple and pear, with a hint of clove and nutmeg. A good golden colored aided by the aging in Candian Oak barrels, a truly elegant sample.Serve chilled on its own as a dessert, or serve with apple or pumpkin pie, fruit based desserts, pâtés and selected cream based cheeses accompanied with dried fruit.

2004 Trius Vidal Ice Wine, Niagara Peninsula VQA

• A full-bodied sweet wine with a creamy, rich mouth feel. Wonderful flavours of honey, peach and pear jam, sweet spics and golden pineapple fill the mouth. Marmalade lingers on the finish. Quite a lovely way to end the night, any night!

NV Matusalem Oloroso Dulce Muy Viejo 30 Años, Vino de Jerez/Xerez/Sherry

• It has a delightfully rich golden-brown in the glass, fading out at the edge to a honey-amber hue. The nose simply delightful; it seduces with aromas of toffee, walnut, raisins, tobacco, clove, chocolate, oak, and much more. It is a complex wine, dry yet creamy, pleasant to drink but can also be seen as too hot, or too sweet by some. However, this is a fine example of Pedro Ximenez, the sweet grape in the world of Jerez. Not a wine you drink everyday, I thought it would be nice to take this one along for everyone else to try.

It was a great way of starting the spring and harvest realm at the Vineyards!