Grape Juice

WBW #47 Round-Up: Spectacular Selections!

Posted on 20. Jul, 2008 by Erin in Wine Blogging Wednesday

Most humble thanks for allowing us to host Wine Blogging Wednesday’s 47th edition, we’ve had a fantastic time interacting with you all, and getting to know some great blogs/bloggers out there that we otherwise may never have found. Needless to say your feed stats should all be showing at least one more reader, and we do hope that everyone else takes the time to have a look at the blogs who participated below. Who knows, you might find something right up your alley, and hook up with folks for a little community networking.

For WBW #47, our theme was “Today’s Wine Brought to You by The Letter ‘S’ “ . We asked you to treat wine as the exploratory wonder that it is and we were super psyched to see over 40 participants taking the theme to heart and having some fun. Some of you went serious, some of you went silly, and others totally stretched the rules to include wines that best suited your fancy. All are perfect examples of what we wanted to see, so congrats across all fronts for a fantastic collection of reviews.

Here’s what went down, in alphabetically appropriate mix of Scattergories and Scrabble style:

Spot On

• Craig at The Wine Camp Blog takes the opportunity to exploit our loose instructions and not review a wine at all. Instead, he discusses a hot relatively new term in the lexicon of wine: Spoofulation. Debate over etymology and exact definition rage on…
• The award for longest descriptor goes to Mad Wino at My Wine Information for using “SUPER­CALI­FRAGI­LISTIC­EXPI­ALI­DOCIOUSLY good” in reference to the NV Pertaringa “The Full Fronti”, an Aussie fortified that was obviously worth the effort of spelling that out.
• Alex and Andy at Eating Leeds went outside their comfort zone (and an inherent bias against Italian whites) and tried the Pieropan Soave Classico 2006. Apparently it “ticked all the boxes”, but for some reason escaped being outstanding. While not exactly mind-blowing, here’s hoping it helps Alex be open to more to the lighter spoils of Italy.
• Domaine547 had a rather medicinal experience with the 2004 l’Aventure Estate Syrah from Paso Robles, bringing back horrible childhood memories of grape flavoured Dimetapp that was just too much to get over. Leave it to Jill Co. to get in touch with their inner child in more ways than one!
• Two Days per Bottle went to France, with a 1996 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Cornas. This 100% Shiraz was described as “about as far as you could get from a Parkerized jelly jar”, with olives, salt, and a faint floral note Day #2 made the olives and dried flowers even more prominent and overall, didn’t turn the reviewers crank. They also tried the 2004 Shotfire Ridge Barossa Cuvee, which was palatable on night number one, but redeemed itself with a much improved tasting the following night. “Boatloads” of decanting or further aging are suggested.
• Château Brys was tempted by a citrusy French miss, trying Château de Tracy’s second wine, the Mademoiselle de T . Great value Pouilly-Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc) apparently, and showing well after two years of cellar time. Give it a shot for all those looking for affordable Loire whites.
• Another Loire variety, Melon, garnered a taste from The Wine Case who were surprised to find it being bottled as a varietal in Oregon. The very limited production Melon 2003, Deux Vert Vineyard, Yamhill County from La Bête showed bright with an underlying leesy note, making for an interesting wine. He also dug up a Petite Arvine from Switzerland of all places, noting the richness, saltiness, and ageability of this hard-to-find white.
• The 2004 Chateau Tour Grise ‘253′, from Saumur in the Loire wasn’t the “Bestdrinkever”, coming across as very leafy, twiggy, earthy, and…jalapeno peppery. Toss some acidity and astringency in the mix and you can see why jseeds was “just not feeling” this particular bottle.
• Fellow Canuck Bradley Cooper writing for Wine & Vine BC out in the Okanagan had a go at Township 7’s Gewurztraminer, a wine that he himself made. He quite proud of his multi-vineyard blend, and feels it tastes “like summer in the Okanagan Valley”.
• El Jefe at El Bloggo Torcido developed a sssssspontaneoussss lissssp, and went wild over a bottle of 2006 Twisted Oak, Silverspoons Vineyard Verdelho from Alta Mesa, CA. With characteriestics hailing from the tropicsssss, this one was a great ssssssummer ssssssipper.

Double Points

• McDuff’s Food & WIne Trail was a bit put off by the theme, but decided to give us the benefit of the doubt and though he claims not to have made a special effort for “S” wines, still comes in with Coste della Sesia Rosato “Rosa del Rosa,” Proprietà Sperino 2007. Happily his participation yielded favourable results.
• Ben at 67 Wine did double duty, trying two rather obscure wines (all the better!). The first, a Greek white hailing from Domain Sigalas in Santorini, was deemed a great match for Mediterranean food and the second, a Syrah by Syrocco in Morocco (yes that’s right), showed its warm climate roots with flair.
• The Spanish crusadors at Catavino doubled up with their entry of Spanish Sherry by tasting Osborne’s Coquinero, intriguingly labelled a Fino Amontillado. Stylistic identity crises aside, these Sherry lovers suggest you put this one on your definite try list.
• First time and unknowing participant Amy’s LA Wine Blog was entered by Jill at Domaine547 for inadvertently reviewing Schafer-Frölich’s 2006 Riesling Spatlese Habtrocken on WBW day. Juicy, honeyed and delish. Welcome to Amy as well, a girl after our own hearts (we also spent more on Barolos than Blahniks).
• The intrepid Farley from Behind The Vines introduced a math lesson to go along with our alphabet game, introducing her wine with “P+S=P.S.” Peloursin +Syrah = Petite Syrah. She tackles the 2001 Pacific Star Petite Sirah from Mendocino (made, conveniently enough, by Sally Ottoman, with the tagline “Wines born and raised by the Sea.”)
• Another first time participant (welcome!), Everyday Wine, took a stab at the 2005 Sequel Columbia Valley Syrah with some spicy beef curry. Crafted by John Duval of Penfold’s fame, this syrah was a hit with dinner, but raised questions about terroir and the impact of jet-setting international winemakers.
• Calling it a “sensual summer wine…with surprises”, WineNegress commits to another wine club membership thanks to her experience with the 2006 Taste White from Bedell Cellars on the North Fork of Long Island
• At First Glass took the opportunity to pop an old friend, the 2005 Sandholdt Cabernet Sauvignon from California. She always picks out a taffy-caramel note on the palate, which along with candied fruit makes this like a drinkable dessert.
• The title to Sour Grapes’ review of the 2005 Sancius Ribera del Duero (that’s extra points for Spain as well), says it all “From bad to brilliant over 3 days” . Stalky greenness was slowly replaced by a softer, earthier spiciness. Lesson learned! Don’t pitch on a first impression.
• “S” in Wicker Parker’s world meant a surprising Salento from Puglia, blending negroamaro and primitivo into the most interesting Salice Salentino ever tried on that blog. Organic, structured and stainless fermented, the 2004 Perrini Salento Rosso IGT got the nod.
• Did the 2006 Gemella, Lost Slough Vineyard, from The Scholium Project ever make an impression on Dale from Drinks Are On Me. Described as “combative”, “up-front” and full of attitude, this cult wine was a hit with Mediterranean flavours.

Multi-Word Bonuses:

• Your excited hosts here at Grape-Juice.ca managed to find a wine encompassing the “s” theme perfectly, not only because of the wine itself (South Africa, Ses’fikile, Cab. Sauvignon, Somerset West), but also the impressive amount of S-trogen involved in this brand. Interesting story behind the 2004 Ses’fikile “Matriarch” Cabernet Sauvignon, though the Matriarch turned out to be a bit of a boozer.
• Joe and Plumboo at 1winedude slammed together a darn-right impressive selection of S’s with an Italian pick from the Salice Salentino DOC. See what they thought of the 2005 San Marzano Salice Salentino from sunny Southern Italy and pat them on the back for their obsessive “S” use.
• The always game Sonadora from Wannabe Wino stepped up to the plate with the 2005 Sonoma County Sky Saddle Syrah . This tasting took patience and some serious decanting, but rewarded amply in the end.
• Pour Favor’s Rebecca gave the universally friendly (and actually currently sitting in my wine rack) 2007 Sileni Estates Sauvignon Blanc a shot. Big bonus points for the food pairings during tasting! Paired with swordfish, sweet corn, and ’slaw, she described it as “so well integrated” and gives it the seal of approval.
• Doug references Sesame Street staple snack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches influencing his selection of stainless steel fermented, cab sauv and syrah containing, Coto de Hayas Tinto 2006 from, you guessed it, Spain. Young and jammy, this tasty, cheap number did the job for The Inquiring Vine.
• Through The Walla Walla Grape Vine went over the top with a thoroughly S-ridden description, citing “spicy, yet subtle… Strong tannins for splendid aging, but supple, sensual, sexy and soft”. The wine? Sleight of Hand’s 2006 Levitation, a Columbia Valley Syrah.
• Good grief! Like Cookie Monster gobbling up Bert’s freshly baked biscuits, Vinquire took our invitation to experiment and enjoy seriously. They reviewed nine S-related wines, ranging from a 2005 Sierra Vista, Sierra Foothills, Syrah, to a St. Hallett ,Barossa, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc “Poachers Blend”. It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to drink them, right? They even came up with a fun descriptive verse for their experience.
• You have to hand it to Dr. Debs at Good Wine Under $20, she pulled out all the stops for the 200-six Scenic Root Growers Spicerack Vineyards “Punchdown” Syrah, from Sonoma Coast (phew! What a mouthful). Excellent QPR, cool climate character and a food friendly personality has Dr. Debs looking for more room in her cellar for more bottles.
• Catherine at Purple Liquid also hit up the 2006 Spicerack Punchdown Syrah Sonoma Coast, and did so with so many S terms in the notes that it made my head spin. She’s got it pegged as a perfect match for Spiced Lamb Chops With Cucumber-Mint Sauce. Yum!
• Canadian compatriot “A” from Wine in the ‘Peg (Winnepeg for our southern friends) got a-hold of some 2007 “South African Sauvignon Blanc (with a touch of Semillon) from Stranveld Vineyards, the southernmost winery in Africa (and it’s in the Southern Hemisphere)”. Crisp, herby and minerally, this one was described as a “winner”.
• Wine-Girl.net undertook a double tasting, one of the spicy, smokey, new world style Bodega Familia Schroeder Saurus Malbec, Patagonia Select, 2004 (absolutely loved it) and the other readily available, easy-to-enjoy Spaniard: Bodegas Pedro Romero Cream Sherry (loved it).
• A Passionate Foodie is also an accomplished “S”-wine drinker, having chosen the 2003 Stellenzicht Cellars Golden Triangle Shiraz from Stellenbosch, South Africa. Great varietal character, great value, and another wine from Stellenzicht on Richard’s thumbs up list.
• The San Francisco Wine Enthusiasts Guild went all out, tasting a massive 15 wines focused on Sonoma Sauv Blanc, Sangio, and Syrah. Best of tasting went to the magnum of DuMol 2001 “eddies patch” Syrah Russian River Valley, followed by a Ridge 2001 Syrah Lytton Estate Dry Creek Valley in second, and the Carica 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch in third. The award for most ‘S’ words for a single wine was, appropriately, six for the Sebastiani 2007 Sylvia Sebastiani’s Symphony Sacramento County…wow. Head over there to see the full list of wines tasted and how they stacked up!
• Cheap Wine Ratings give us a sneak peek at their new Côtes du Rhône series with a 2005 Saint-Esprit from Delas. Primarily Syrah, this spins away from Grenache based CdR blends, and lends a hit of spice and licorice to the keynote “new leather wallet”. Enjoyable.
• Andrew from Spittoon got our mouths watering by describing his perfectly cooked roast lamb, for which he chose a 2003 Fattoira le Sorgenti Scirus. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this Tuscan was “highly drinkable” and scored very high, but may have been a bit too young to enjoy fully. Great picture as always!
• Kaz and Randy, of course you get extra points for your 2003 St. Francis Sonoma County Syrah. Drinking before and after some “air time”, both gave this one high marks. Interesting tangents on sediments, fining, and ionic exchange. Woo! I’m dying for some BBQ now.
• Sharon (points for her name?) went a bit off the beaten track and made a super Sparkling Cranberry Orange Sangria out of the 2006 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz.  She’s even posted up a vintage Sesame Street clip to get you all in the mood; personally I found a disembodied James Earl Jones reciting the alphabet to be shockingly scary.  Watch his seeming confusion at “L”.

If we’ve missed anyone, so sorry! The entries were coming in fast and furious and it’s possible that we forgot to include someone. Just shoot us an email, include your link, wag your finger disapprovingly, and we’ll add you to the list with our most sincerest of apologies.

**Tim at Wine Cast, you seem to be having nasty technical issues that I know you’re working on…send me a note when you’re up and running and I’ll fetch your WBW entry.