Tercero Off-Line@3rd Corner Wrap-Up

WINE TALK
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Some of the San Diego folk braved the nasty weather last Saturday to enjoy an afternoon of tasting through Larry’s 07’s. Truthfully, I’ve been wanting to do this tasting ever since the scores came out in 190. But, as always, life seemed to get in the way.

Dennis at 3rd Corner really took care of us. Multiple tables with dump buckets and glasses, head table with decanters and bubbles waiting for us. Some old Hardcores were there, and we introduced a new one to the crew.

My notes might not be that verbose since I was chasing a 14 month-old through wine racks and catching up with some folks. But after a couple flutes of bubbles, we decided to dive in:

07 Tercero Watch Hill Grenache
That familiar aroma of raspberry, leather, smoke, and spice. Finish is good…mid-palate just a tad clipped. Next day, this wine developed quite nicely.

07 Tercero Larner Syrah
Leather, asphalt, smoke with ripe red fruits. Just a great example of Larner syrah.

07 Tercero Thompson Syrah
Smoke, olive, dark blue fruit…kinda brambly…but with some acid. Very consistent with nose and palate. Veeery nice.

07 Tercero Camp 4 Mouved
I’m afraid this one is not a failure. Great nose of some funkiness, ripe raspberry, pepper. Nice acid and finish. I don’t get it…I like it.

07 Tercero Cuvee Christie (64% syrah, 18% grenache, 18% mouved)
I can smell the grenache…or maybe I can just pick my favorite smells. Great acid and fruit going here.

07 Tercero The Climb (50% syrah, 50% petite sirah)
Almost beasty on the nose after popping. Animal hair, stout, big blue fruit. Some pencil lead…nice blueberry. The next day, this one really sang.

Bonus Bottles

08 Tercero Cuvee Loco (50% Larner grenache, 50% Larner syrah)
This is a GREAT bottle of wine…oh yeah, it’s from one of my favorite vineyards. Bit livelier in the mouth…some acid and red fruit.

Thread (50% grenache, 50% syrah)
Mr. Anderson’s generous contribution. Dark, thick, with ripe raspberry…nice big structure and finish. A great contribution from Larry, Blair Fox, Mikael Sigouin, and Dave Potter.

Wrap-up:
-Larry’s 07’s are showing quite nicely right now (second day, some more leveling)
-In my opinion, these wines are not big, overripe, fruit bombs
-I think Larry shows great restraint with these wines and captures the vineyards and varietals quite nicely
-I think Larry has a great touch with grenache

What a way to spend a rainy day. Thanks so much (again) to Dennis for taking care of us. Nothing like drinking great wine surrounded by racks of other great wine. Mr. Williams, Mr. Anderson…great to see you. Mr. Schneider, so great to meet you. Can’t wait for the next event.

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Phil,

Thanks for putting this together and thanks to Dennis and his team for their hospitality and great food. 3rd Corner is a great venue. I’ve enjoyed the Encinitas location, but this was my first time at the OB shop. Also great to meet your extended family. You demonstrated a great talent for typing notes one-handed into your iPhone while scooping up or holding your daughter. I did notice that when she made a dash for the wine bins it was to the Italian wine rather than Cali Rhones. Just sayin’…

I was extremely happy with the wines and thought they were all showing extremely well. This was my third time to taste the Cuvee Loco and it is definitely a winner. My WOTD. Psyched that Larry is including this in the Winter Wine Club shipment. I also enjoyed the Mourvedre, but it seemed like this was the only slightly polarizing wine. I really loved the fruit mixed with a bit of funk on the nose, but can see where some might not enjoy that as much. Looking forward to the '08 version.

I’m a Syrah guy and loved both the Larner and Thompson. The Larner was better out of the gate, but the Thompson quickly caught up with some air. I brought the remnants of those two home and both were still singing on Day 2 and the last half glass of the Thompson is gorgeous tonight on Day 3.

Kudos to Larry on a great set of '07s and if the Loco is representative, an even better set of '08s.

Too bad the nasty weather kept some of the locals away, but great to see Steve and to meet Mike and share a group of great wines.

Thanks again for setting this up.

Cheers! [cheers.gif]

Steve

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Nice lineup, gents. Larry is making terrific wine that is very accessible to a range of palates. They are consistently good and deliver a ton of value.

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Thanks for the notes in advance of the club shipment. Looking forward to receiving.

Just had a Thread over the weekend, and agree with your notes.