A quartet of winos landed at Peking Duck House on 53rd last night for some duck and Pinot.
2006 Herman Story Viognier–This was one of those dark orange types, 16.1% alcohol with a golden orange color. Lots of burnt orange peel and apricot/stone fruit notes. Some floral/mineral notes present, but I got more of the spicy notes. Medium length with a long finish. OK, but not my type of Viognier. Cheryl Mills brought this and ended up being disappointed with it. I prefer my Viognier in the more upbeat style. Not bad but I wouldn’t pay the tariff.
2004 Alesia Kanzler Vyd.–Opaque ruby color. Dark and brooding. Lots of spice, licorice, and oak, but the oak was well integrated. Big, fat, black fruit notes. Too much for me, but I was nevertheless pleasantly surprised with its showing. Not a big clunky wine like the 2004 KB Kanzler I have had in the past.
2006 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir…–This was a special DC offering that Lora Goldwater brought, mailing list only. Unfortunately I forgot to note the particulars about it. Light ruby color, more high toned citrus notes, fell off pretty quick on the finish.
1994 Robert Groffier Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses–corked! ![[dash1.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/4/419b32ffe31ad6b2f9b831e5805986129c20f02d.gif "hithead"){kind=small}
2001 Prince F de Merode Corton Clos du Roi–Gil Bauer brought this, it was consensus WOTN. Bright ruby color, a little closed at first but eventually revealing nice red fruit notes with that “crunch” I love so much in lively, fresh Burgs. This could certainly benefit with another 3-6 years of bottle age but it was really nice last night.
"Mystery Wine"– Gil brought this as well. Revealed to be “not CA, not Burgundy” before evaluation. Very dark in color with noticeable spice and wood aromas. Big dense black cherry fruit with a lot of cola and spices as well as a pronounced mineral element to it. Possesses the big fruit of a CA wine but also has the earthy elements of a Burgundy. Vaguely familiar, definitely southern hemisphere, but seemed too deep for Aussie. Central Otago? Chile? 2004 Casa Marin Pinot Noir (forgot the single vineyard site, but I think it was the Lo Abarca Hills), Chile. I had this a bunch of times on release but had not come across it in a while. Gil paid about $40 for it from Garagiste. Current NY wholesale is $45/bot, so if you can still get some snap it up!