Tried last night w/ dinner:
1. CortiBros Aglianico AmadorCnty (65'th Anniv Bttlg 1947-2012; 110 cs; 13.5%) Terra d'Oro/Plymouth 2010: Med.dark color; rather herbal/green/earthy somewhat spicy/rosemary/sage/pungent very strange bit rustic/earthy fairly perfumed nose; strong herbal/rosemary/sage some earthy/green/almost Loire CabFranc-like bit tart/lean flavor w/ light tannins; long rather herbal/green/rosemary/sage earthy/dusty slight plummy finish w/ light tannins; a very strange/very non-Amador wine that can only get better but no telling what it will become. $14.00 (CB)
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2. JCCllrs Smoke&Mirrors RW (Syrah/PS/Zin; 587 cs; 14.8%) 2010: Very dark/black color; intense blackberry/Syrah/boysenberry strong toasty/Fr.oak some spicy/blackberry/Zin bit dusty nose that speaks mostly of Syrah; soft/fat bit tannic/hard very strong blackberry/Syrah light toasty/oak fairly lush/rich/ripe/overripe flavor; med.long rather soft/fat some tannic/hard light charred/toasty/oak strong blackberry/Syyrah finish; lots of very ripe fruit but lacks both structure and interest; a bit hot/alcoholic and overripe. $25.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. CortiBros: This special CortiBros wine is to celebrate CortiBros 65'th yr in business. It is also to celebrate over 50 yrs of CortiBros doing business w/ the Trincheros. Some of the CortiReserve Zins from SutterHome/DeaverVnyd grapes were legendary wines, back in the late-'60's and early-'70's. Darrell wanted something special from the Trincheros for the Anniv wine and, since he was instrumental in the founding of Montevina (now Terra d'Oro), he tasted thru some of their samples and this small lot of Aglianico was accepted.
As Darrell describes this wine: "I found it to be nicely colored, aromatic, showing wood maturation, with a balanced flavor and body and that delicious more-ish quality of charming, savory fruitiness that makes it a real pleasure to drink." I guess I'd have to agree w/ his description. But it was not a wine I could get my arms around. "savory" would be right in that I found a strange pungent/rosemary/sage herbality to it. It just smelled & tasted downright weird is the only way I can describe. It was very non-Amador in character and seemed rather green & underripe. But it did have character...something you don't find a lot of in the Terra d'Oro wines. If anything, it reminded me a bit of some Friulian Merlots I've had. I have no idea what this wine will evolve into, but can assume it will only get better...up is the only way this wine can go. I'll try it again in a year.
Tom