<table border="0" align="right" width="360"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/graphics1/julia07.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr><tr><td>For all those who've been waiting for it, the annual portrait of Julia B is presented for your enjoyment ...</td></tr></table>In the absence of the usual MoCool lakeside tent and lodge, the conference room at Ann Arbor's Hawthorne Inn didn't make a bad substitute. There was a lot of MoCool feeling there as about 40 people - visitors and locals - brought about 80 wines and a remarkable spread of sweet and savory goodies to share. Beginning minutes after the 1998 Rhones tasting (previously reported), the party ran on for a good six hours, and a few diehard revelers were still going strong when I finally packed it in a short while ago.
I took quick and rough Palm PDA notes on 30 wines, probably tasted a few more that didn't get written down, and likely missed as many more, although the number of wines so dramatically outnumbered the crowd that quite a few bottles will go back home unopened. More for next year! And, MoCool having weathered this storm in fine style, thanks to a large number of people who helped, it seems quite certain that, one way or another, there <i>will</i> be a next year. See you then!
Finally, here are my TNs. Comments, quibbles and corrections are welcome as always.
<B>Longview 2005 Leelanau Peninsula Cabernet Franc</B> - Deep purple. Ripe, grapey, extracted, balanced, amazing depth for a Michigan red. (Ref Michwine)
<B>Dom. J. Vidal-Fleury 1999 Côte-Rôtie</B> - Dark garnet. Lots of smoky bacon over black fruit. Full, ripe and youthful.
<B>E. Guigal 1990 Côte-Rôtie Côtes Brune et Blonde</B> - Browning. Good grilled meat and bacon, but past peak to my tastes.
<B>Bastianich 2006 Rosato Venezia Giulia IGT</B> - Attractive pale salmon. Fresh red berries, crisp and tart. Outstanding Refosco rosé.
<B>Mitchelton 2000 Airstrip Marsanne</B> - Pale gold. Apricot and peach. Full and rich, seems sweet but just off-dry.
<B>Stag's Leap Vineyard 1994 Napa Valley Fay Cabernet Sauvignon</B> - Beautiful garnet. Subtle cassis, black fruit, great structure and length. At peak.
<B>Louis Jadot Domaine Gagey 2003 Savigny-Lès-Beaune Clos des Guettes</B> - Dark ruby. Layered Pinot fruit. Big, an '03, but one of the best.
<B>Joh. Jos. Prum 2001 Graacher Himmelreich Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Spätlese Riesling</B> - Pale brass. Apricot, mango and slatey minerality. Fresh-fruit sweetness and steely acidity in perfect balance. Amazing with an unexpected match: BobH's Kamodo pulled pork with his spicy sauce.
<B>A.. Rafanelli 1999 Dry Creek Valley Alexander Valley Zinfandel</B> - Jam and earth and charred red fruit, hot finish.
<B>Edmunds St. John 2003 Shell and Bone Paso Robles Red</B> - Clear garnet. Fresh and clean, cherry-berry fruit; crisp, defined, an edge of chalky minerality.
<B>Kinkead Ridge 2004 Ohio River Valley Cabernet Franc</B> - Dark garnet. Ripe and plummy, chocolate and chernies, a lot of oak but good structure and fruit make it a winner.
<B>E & J Gallo 1992 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon</B> - Black plums and menthol, fine structure, going strong.
<B>Beringer 1992 Howell Mountain Bancroft Ranch Merlot</B> - Stylish and complex, very fine.
<B>The Four Graces 2003 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir</B> - Ruby. Subtle cherries, elegant and appealing. More forward on the palate, intense but balanced. Burgundian..
<B>Alain Voge 1998 Saint-Péray</B> - Pale gold. White fruit and wool, full-bodied and dry.
<B>Germain Saincrit 1997 Chateau de Fesles Bonnezeaux</B> - Bright gold. Amazing aromas jump from the glass, pineapple creme brulee. Unctuous, creamy, intense sweetness shaped by firm acidity. Might be WOTD.
<B>Mas de Daumas Gassac 2005 Blanc Haut Vallé du Gassac</B> - Chardonnay, Viogner, Petit Manseng and Chenin Blanc in equal proportions. So floral that it's like burying your face in a bowl of flowers. Smells sweet but drinks dry, white fruit and stony minerality. Wonderful stuff.
<B>Gérard Bertrand 2000 Banyuls Grand Cru</B> - Dark reddish-amber. Madeira-like, sweet and tart. Amazing with bittersweet chocolate, brings up a burst of raspberries.
<B>Guenoc 1980 Lake County (68%) Napa County (32%) Petite Sirah</B> - Brownish, oxidized, but still showing some fruit.
<B>Three 1994 Chateauneuf-du-Papes:</b>
<B>Bois de Boursan</B> - Black fruit and chicken poop, tart and peppery. Nice.
<B>Pegau</B> - Grilled meat and smoke. Smooth, sweet red fruit.
<B>Beaucastel</B> - Barnyard and black cherries. .Yummo.
<B>Broadbent Madeira Reserve 5 Years Old</B> - Clear mahogany. Walnuts, pecans and Meyer lemons.
<B>Ridge 1998 York Creek Petite Sirah</B> - Deep and dark, brooding, very young.
<B>Viña Real 1964 Rioja Gran Riserva</B> - Dark bronze. Prunes, dried fruit, cracked walnuts; very much alive.
<B>Voerzio 1982 Barolo</B> - Blackish purple, bronze edge. Some oxidation, but Barolo tar and violets come through.
<B>Sine Qua Non 2001 "No. 6" Shea Vineyard Yamhill County Pinot Noir</B> - Cherry cola, tomato skin and red fruit. A big wine, no mistaking it for a Burgundy.
<B>Brolio 1985 Vin Santo</B> - Walnuts and pecans, golden raisins and lemons, sweet, Madeira-like.
<B>Morenico 1983 Erbaluce di Caluso Passito</B> - Rich gold. Butterscotch and raisins, sweet but balanced. Intense and very long.
<B>Poggiopiano 2000 Rosso di Sera Toscana</B> - Spicy black cherries, integrated oak. Big, really nice.
Hard to believe you won an award for that a while back....