The Laughing Wolf

Wine Tasting Notes

Every Saturday, there is a good wine tasting held a Pauli’s here in the great Huntsville/Madison metroplex of North Alabama, and yesterday’s was a particular delight. Not only were there two good wines, but I found out that Pauli’s had Drunken Goat Cheese, a favorite of mine that before was only obtainable in Nashville or Atlanta. A quick set of notes on the wine is as follows:

Montinore Vineyards Willamette Valley Oregon 2000 Gewurtraminer
Sharp crisp nose, slightly astringent with notes of straw and greenery. Very pale yellow colour. Mouth was sweet, green apples giving way to buttery notes and a nice finish. An excellent example of type and great with cheeses and fruits. Went extremely well with Drunken Goat Cheese. Recommended.

Wild Hare 2002 California Chardonnay
Nose subdued, woody. Straw colour. Mouth somewhat bitter, strong oak edging to slight sweetness on sides and on finish. Oak major taste and component. If you are a beaver…

Rabbit Ridge 1999 California Montepiano
Nice nose of tobacco, leather, and a hint of vine. Rich purple/red colour. Mouth starts low and has a slow build to strong dark fruit/cherry, with coffee and tobacco on finish. Slightly earthy. Not bad.

Rabbit Ridge 1998 Allure (Grenache/Syrah blend)
Nose of tobacco and cedar. Nice red colour. Good body, red fruit, tobacco, a hint of chocolate, and the cedar carries through from the nose. Also not bad.

It is worth noting that Rabbit Ridge prides itself on a variety of good flavors in inexpensive wine. The Allure was the best example of this I’ve had in a while.

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