The setting: a small island just outside Helsinki
The group: classicists and orientalists (though I really hate this term, but that's enough Said about it)
The reason for meeting: food and "croquet," but as the classicists always point out, symposion doesn't really mean croquet, so there was lots of booze.
I brought a couple wines, including the last of my friend Asko's new set of wines from Crushpad, Töövi Syrah White Hawk Vineyard 2008 from Sta Barbara County California. This smelled of prunes and mulberry, more S. Australian than US from my limited experience of both areas - but pretty good for Ozzie stuff, though, with good structure backing up all that primary fruit. It is fruit forward and primary but it isn't an amorphous, gobby blob. Chilled, with a chunk of bloody meat it was actually rather enjoyable (I had double decanted it in the morning, however - I'm sure that made it somewhat approachable). Needs time.
Since even evening temperatures are well above 20 C, we opened up some good whites. First up was Pieropan's Soave Classico Calvarino 2008. Light gold. Splendidly mineral scent, floral and citric. Quite rich on the palate, but it is also racy and invigorating, pure and moreish. Very nice.
I bought some Muscadet, because it rocks. Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvere-and-Mean Les Gras Moutons Cuvée Eden 2008. Either this smelled like the lovely sea breeze I was inhaling on the island or then the sea breeze completely overwhelmed the aromatics: whether my nose was in the glass or out, it all smelled the same: all rocks and sea - lovely. Awesome purity, crispness and richness (for Muscadet) mixed together. Outstanding wine.
And of course I brought a Domaine de la Pépière (Marc Ollivier) Muscadet de Sèvere-and-Mean Granite de Clisson 2007 to compare. Beautifully aromatic with amazingly vivid citric aromas, almost like crystallized citrus fruits but with without their sweetness. Leesy and mineral. Crisp, rocky, wonderfully intense but never crossing the line to become painful. This is actually a very friendly Muscadet despite all the citric sensations.
At this point I could clearly see my croquet balls defy the laws of physics so I went home. Fun evening it was.