I didn't take notes at the free wine tastings last Saturday (part of Triangle Wine Experience) but did purchase some wines and will post notes as I open them.
On Friday I visited Taylor's Wine Shop (north Raleigh) which I had heard plenty about at wine dinners in Raleigh but had never seen in person. It's at a gas station and sells live bait and fine wines! (what a combo!) I purchased a Roessler La Encantada Pinot Noir, (had liked Richard Sanford's Alma Rosa La Encantada at Pinot on the River, from Santa Rita Hills), an A.P. Vin Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir, and a Kono Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (produced by the Maori people)--I'm drinking it at home this evening).
Saturday morning I picked up some wines at The Wine Merchant, Raleigh, including two from southern France for the WLDG wine focus--a Provencal rose' and a Pic Poul. After lunch I went first to the wine tasting at Barley and Vine (another new wine shop for me) where I chatted with Andy Peay and tried the 2009 Chardonnay, the 2009 Pomarium Pinot Noir and a 2007 La Bruma Syrah. I purchased a bottle of both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Syrah has structure but needs time to come together. Andy says he is now pouring the 2003 Syrah for dinners at home. The Chardonnay sees limited new French oak and has a lightly buttery creaminess. The Pomarium Pinot Noir was very attractive and Andy Peay said it was their best vintage yet. The fall rains in Sonoma County in 2010 cause the winery some serious grief. Hunnicutt and D.R. Stephens wineries (family-related enterprises) were also represented. I tasted Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend and purchased a bottle of the Hunnicutt Fearless Red (Petit Sirah, Zinfandel and Syrah in about even portions). I also picked up a Taurasi Aglianico there.
Then I headed off to Seaboard Wines Warehouse for a tasting with Adelsheim, Patz and Hall (James Hall) and Lambert Bridge. Adelsheim was pouring a Pinot Gris but the Pinot Noir was what I sought--I purchased two bottles and had one signed by Dave Paige of Adelshiem. From Lambert Bridge (Andy Wilcox present) I purchased a Zinfandel and had the bottle signed. I had spent enough money on wines for the weekend so didn't look too closely at the other bottles in the shop but saw online today that they have a good cross section of 2009 Beaujolais Cru so may order some soon. I'm pretty certain that it was at Barley and Vine that they had some F.X. Pichler Gruner Veltliner on the shelf, also one by a Pichler daughter, and Seaboard also carries a number of Austrian wines.
