I just refilled the Winekeeper with four more "kids" including Kosta Browne's inaugural Chardonnay, the 2009 Russian River Valley One Sixteen (named after Highway 116 which runs through Sebastopol). This wine had dried citrus peel, nectarine and mineral on the nose with a pleasing palate flow and a buttery finish. At half the price of recent Aubert Chards, I'm a convert!
I also uncorked a bottle of 2009 Grgich Hills Estate "Essence" Sauvignon Blanc provided by S & P (P is none other than "The Wine Guy" at Grgich Hills). This bottle is designated as "essence" as the vines are cultivated biodynamically. It had loads of herbs and grass on the nose with a rich mouth feel and flavors of kiwi and sweet lime leading to a good dose of acid and a medium finish. Oysters on the half shell anyone?
I also uncorked a 2006 Bridesmaid which is a Bordeaux blend (along with Syrah) created from mixed barrels of "leftover" wine that high end wineries don't feel meet their exacting standards. Enter Pam Starr of Crocker Starr and Drew Neiman of Neiman Cellars to craft this wine that's always a "Bridesmaid" never a Bride. It had loads of dark red fruit on the nose with a nice palate flow and long finish. Drinkable now though it could keep for several more years to pair with steaks or barbecue.
Finally I also opened a 2008 Eponymous, another Bordeaux blend with characteristic dark fruit of Cabernet but also a hit of ripe red cherries. It also had a touch of dried herb on the nose and a lush mid -palate and a very long finish. Obviously this wine can be cellared for several more years... but I HAD to make space in the storage unit.
These "kids" should last at least 2 more weeks when they're replaced by four more "kids"...
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