These were served with a New Year’s Eve dinner for 18 of Clams Florentine, French Onion Soup and grilled strip loin.
2009 Nimble Hill Riesling - My wife’s cousin bought this wine at the winery, which is located near their home in North Central PA. Synthetic cork, light straw color, a bit of spritz, a touch of SO2 that blows off quickly, leaving the scent of ripe pears. Medium sweet, with a good acid balance – juicy, medium length, full finish. This was good with the clams (along with one of my home made bubblies).
2000 Domaine de Mignaberry – Irouleguy - My brother-in-law brought me this bottle after a trip to the Basque region of France a few years ago, so I decided to open it, since he and his wife were in town for the holiday. In trying to read the French label, I think the wine is predominately Tannat. Deep color with a medium red hue. Generous nose of tobacco, cedar and blackberries. Good acid balance and a very long, drying finish – the tannins almost seem to sandblast the taste buds. Small sips were all that was needed to perfectly complement the grilled beef. Very enjoyable wine.