Young Winos of LA

Just a brief note on our tasting notes:

You may have noticed that, in the past, our tasting notes have come in prose form.  For better or for worse, Jesse is a much better write than I am, so in the future I will be posting notes more as a list of an aggregate of opinions of wine tasted on a particular evening.  So, for example, if you did not think that wine X tasted like peach, but someone else did, I am likely to include it in the tasting notes.  In this sense, these notes are really more a collection of group opinion of what people thought of a wine, rather than the experience of any one individual.

Line of the night (in reference to Con Class Verdejo 2011):  “Smells like a peach fucked a pear.”  Credit – Andrew L

1.
Varietal: Verdejo
Producer: Sitios de Bodega “Con Class”
Year: 2011
Region: Rueda
Link: http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-227043-2011-sitios-de-bodega-con-class-verdejo-rueda-spain

Nose:
A bit of oxidation, similar to a light sherry but not nearly as intense
Aldehyde room/room cleaner (in reference to quality of oxidation smell)
Wildflower
Lotion-y
Flutter of coconut
“Smells like peach fucked a pear” – Andrew Lang
Loquat
Restrained nose, but unique

Palate:
Thick viscosity
Lemon citrus.  Broadly lemon-y, rather than lean citrus
Wet stone, minerally
Smooth transition from attack to mid palate to finish

Price: $12.99
ABV: 13.5%
Bought from: Wine house

2.
Varietal: 80% Clairette, 20% Rousanne
Producer: Jean-Luc Colombo “Les Abeilles”
Year: 2011
Region: Cotes du Rhone
Link: http://www.cellarviewines.com/wine/32340~Cotes-du-Rhone-Les-Abeilles-Blanc-Jean-Luc-Colombo-2011.wine

Misc:
Clairette was a relatively unknown varietal for the group.  Some iPhone googling revealed that it is often used to make vermouth and can also be found as a blending varietal in Chateauneuf du Pape.  For more information on Clairette as a varietal, please visit

1. http://www.snooth.com/varietal/clairette/
2. http://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-106-clairette

Nose:
Honey & Vanilla
Handsoap
A slight touch of haybarn, maybe earth
Restrained nose – aromas are noticeable but not explosive

Palate:
A bit cheesy
Grassy
A touch of salinity, lemon citrus
Light oak and acid was well balanced
“It’s got a what a lot of french white wines have – dishsoap, cheese” – Andrew L
“Not as aromatic as Rousanne can be, but it’s trying its best” – Jesse P

Price: $10.99, $1 of which went to the bees (“Les Abeilles”)
ABV: 13.5%
Bought from: Vendome on Olympic

3.
Varietal: 50% Marsanne, 50% Viognier
Producer: Treana
Year: 2010
Region: Central Coast (California)
Link: http://www.wine.com/V6/Treana-White-2010/wine/121576/detail.aspx

Nose:
Woody, sawdust, fireplace
Oak, perhaps too much according to Jesse P
Some spice, perhaps cumin
Honeyed apricot
Melted butter
Flutter of table mustard, according to Jesse P

Palate:
Something orangy, maybe orange blossom, or orange rhine
“Not a normal expression of either Viognier or Marsanne.  Marsanne can generally be oaked well, Viognier not so much” – Jesse P
Vanilla, almond milk
Firm Structure
A touch of spice

Price: $18.99
ABV: 14.5%
Bought from: Wine House

4.
Varietal: Chardonnay
Producer: Sterling Vineyards
Year: 2010
Region: Napa Valley
Link: http://www.wine.com/V6/Sterling-Napa-Chardonnay-2010/wine/116040/detail.aspx

Nose:
Pilates/Yoga mat
Wet dog
Toasted coconut
Peaches & Cream
Haybarn, which “makes it a touch acceptable” – Jesse P
Candied apple

Palate:
Overpoweringly oaky
Tastes like the way garbage smells
Caustic, acid is overpowering
Lime-y
“Makes Vanessa sad, which is why Andrew likes it”

Price: $18.99
ABV: 13.5%
Bought from: Local liquor store

5.
Varietal: Semillon
Producer: Kalin Cellars
Year: 1999
Region: Livermore Valley
Link: http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1095598

Unfortunately, while we were all very excited to taste this wine, the cork was soaked through when we opened and the wine was spoiled.  I’m posting the notes anyways as a reference to some of the characteristics that are present in a spoiled wine as well as a reminder to try this wine again in the future.

Nose:
Oxidation, smells like a cream sherry
French toast, bananas flambay
Yellow mustard

Palate:
Orange rhine
Flavors largely gone, but some texture remains

6.
Varietal: Riesling
Producer: Pr. F. Weins-Prum
Year: 2011
Region: Mosel (Germany

Link: http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-134302-2011-dr-f-weins-prum-estate-riesling-mosel-germany

Nose:
Metal pipes
Flinty, wet stone
Mineral
Touch of lime
Honey
Lychee

Palate:
Sweeter than expected for QbA wine (for more on how Germany classifies their wine, click here)
Touch of effervescence, despite not being visible in the glass
White peach
Ruby grapefruit – tartness but with a touch of sweetness
Lime

Possible pairings: Panicotta, thai curry, something else spicy
Price: $16
ABV: 10.5%