THANKSGIVING AT THE IN-LAWS - (11/27/2009)
Thanksgiving dinner at my brother-in-laws Steve is always a nice time. They like wine but are not too discriminating. Still, I like to bring nice stuff and I drink along. Their preferences run toward oak driven fruit bombs so there needs to be some compromise. Still, these seemed to go over well. Nothing blind, nothing decanted, with lots of food.
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N.V. Gruet Brut - USA, New Mexico
On Thanksgiving I try to open American bottles. This was out opener. It runs around $15 Ohio which is ok value, but I suspect those of you in the free world can find this cheaper. Golden in color with medium bubbles. The nose is doughy with some ginger. On the palaate, this is ok but not great. The ginger is interesting but it is not smooth. Still, a glass at the beginning was a nice start for all. (87 pts.)
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2006 Sineann Pinot Noir Schindler - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Ruby in color with a bit of purple. We opened two bottles that were identical (Glass corks on a young wine). This wine is opulent but showing some development. The nose has cherries, some earthiness and a bit of floral notes. Silky full texture. On the palate, this has some soft complexity to it which I enjoyed. It drinks quite easily. (92 pts.)
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2006 Ridge Lytton Springs - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
I know there are lots of reports about this being a weaker vintage, but as someone who drinks a fair amount of this wine each and every vintage, I find it to be another consistent Lytton Springs. Purple color. The nose shows black and red raspberries, a bit of briar, some oak, but not bad and some red licorice. On the palate, it is easy to drink with some tannins. The Zin is still in the forefront but I suspect this ages like most LS and the PS comes out over time. A big hit with the in-laws. Drank 2 bottles that were consistent. (91 pts.)
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2007 Sineann Abondante - USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Valley
I always like this wine, but the in-laws like it even better. It has so much fruit and varietal complexity. A fair amount of oak showing. I think it will age, but I keep drinking mine so I will probably never know. So many different red and purple fruit nuances. Not a lot of depth, but very wide. And quite easy to drink. (90 pts.)
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