Another shrink from Erie (30 minutes from here) and I collided on Ebob. We had heard of each other and actually been at meetings together but never spoke. We decided to meet for dinner and some wine. I brought my wife, a Ramey Hyde 06 and a Raven syrah. He had 6 other winos there and they all brought stuff…great food too btw (1201 in Erie) BTW one of my apps was short rib tempura. Weird but amazing.
Ramey Hyde 06 chardonnay
Mild caramel nose with some light citrus. Its always reminded me a bit of SB when its a bit too cold. Full palate with light berries (yes berries) nice acid and a little oak that gets more pronounced as it warms. Long long finish.
Ramey 04 Ritchie chardonnay
Dryer than the Hyde. Some tartness and less oak. The citrus is more pronounced but it lacks the playful berries that I like so much in the Hyde. Nice soft finish.
Dom. Zind Humbrecht 1991 Clos Windbuhl Gewurztraminer
Are you kidding me? WTF? Huge honey nose. Almost mead like. Medium bodied and crisp with peaches, honey and honey dew. Clean, sharp finish. Wow!
Martin Ray 2005 chardonnay reserve
Subdued nose, not much on it. The palate is far more interesting, and while its certainly oak dominated, the oak is very creme brulee like. That made it very compelling to me, but most people would probably hate this.
Roar 2005 Pinot Noir Rosellas
Great big American pinot nose that was salient for a little gamyness. Medium bodied palate with sweet cranberries and baking spices. Nice smooth finish.
BV Tapestry 1997
Banging nose of beef and some barbecue. Chocolate and smoke. Mediums palate with some more mature notes of smokey woods and some mild herbs. There still some tannin left but I really enjoyed this.
Spring Mountain 1999 Cab
My wife’s wotn “this doesnt taste like that crap you like, ass with alcohol.” (btw, she was referring to the Raven) ![[shock.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0b1dcf699ec319f43254f92e3f145786dcd93904.gif "shock"){kind=small}
Charred wood, menthol and chipped beef on the nose. Medium weight palate with subtle fruit, cedar box and tobacco. Nice acid and smooth finish with resolved tannins.
Peay La Bruma Syrah 2005
Heat on the nose and a ball of tight fruit. Bright, tart, and tight. Medium heft. Very peppery and there was an interesting salinity to it. Id like to see what becomes of this when it opens up.
Quilceda Creek Cab 2001
Subdued nose. All I could get was fig. Same on the palate. This is shut down HARD. Huge tannin. Drying as all hell. No nose no nothing. After 4 hours there was a bit of fruit peeking through but man this needs forever and FWIW I dont see how this was or will be anywhere near perfect.
Sine Qua Non Raven Syrah
PErfumed syrah nose, chocolate, spices, pepper. Red and black fruits on the palate. Mouth coating and rich. Some roasted meats. I like my SQN young. This got a bunch of oohs and ahhs. The guy next to me (who brought the Spring Mountain and the BV) had never heard of SQN. He asked how much it would set him back, because he needed to get some.
Dom Zind Humbrecht Clos Windbuhl Late Harvest Pinot Gris 1994
Another holy shit! wine. The most beautiful golden color. The nose and palate were an explosion of passion fruit, honey, lychee, banana, and great acid. Poor man’s Yquem anyone? There was this hint of spritz that reminded me of why this aint yquem 
But wow what an amazing surprise.
PS Basel Cellars Lewis vineyard 2005 syrah
This thing was shut down tight for 24 hours then became a pleasant sweet and simple syrah. Nice garagiste QPR syrah.