by Gary Barlettano » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:07 am
2005 V. Sattui California Napa Gamay, 12% alc/vol, $16.75: OK, guys, don't beat me up for this. Over the weekend, when I was in Napa, I needed a place to park and for a change V. Sattui wasn't brimming over with alcoholic freeloaders like myself. I went in for a complimentary taste and was a wee bit surprised to see that the tasting menu had shrunken considerably and that there were now reserve flights for a price. (OK, I wasn't all that surprised.) Anyways, I was looking for something end-of-the-season barbequey and tried the '05 Napa Gamay which they call a rosé but which could pass thanks to its bright cherry red color for a full-fledged red wine. I'd like to say that the nose was redolent of strawberries and raspberries, but I come to find that I really don't know how to use the word "redolent." At 1.5% residual sugar, this wine tasted more like flat strawberry soda (and believe me you can taste the strawberries in this) with no real lingering finish. Needed a touch more acid. Still in all, it twarn't bad for what it was and whether it was Gamay (doubtful) or Valdiguié (probable). It went great with the charred top sirloin we had for dinner. And what I'm thinkin' is that this would be a good crossover wine to seduce folks who drink only whites to introduce themselves to reds. The price point is, perhaps, a tad high for this one.
