Helped out downtown with the annual WS Top 100 tasting. 2 whites and 6 reds. Reception wine was the 2014 Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling from Eden Valley. All expected a sweet wine so this was an eye-opener.. The 2014 Cloudy Bay Sauv Blanc ($37) had a nice green pea finish but not my style and not cheap.
First red was the `12 Carmen Cab Sauv Alto Gran for $19 Cdn. Tannic, spicy, cassis, med bodied. Medium depth of color, was ok I guess. The 2010 Arcanum Toscana Il Fauno was next. Bordeaux blend, closed nose, violets, pepper, dusty tannins. Splash decant, $43.
The 2013 Domaine Terlato Shiraz Viognier showed few emotions, Chapoutier right. Pass! Then we sampled the 2012 Podere Sapaio Volpolo from Tuscany...see my TN elsewhere. Same for the Il Poggione Brunello..a very nice 2010 which was my WOTN. We finished up with the 2011 Bodegas Lan Edicion Limitada ($73). Way too young but gave the 60 participants an idea of a high end Rioja.