WTN: No theme wine dinner at Restaurant 101

Short notes from dinner with the usual suspects at Restaurant 101.

Paul Hobbs Cocodrilo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - From Paul Hobbs' Argentina project and compliments of Chad Davis of Restaurant 101. Some burnt fruit character on the nose. Very sweet and forward. Long and juicy finish. An over the top style that I find tiring to drink but I'm sure will appeal to some. 14.7% alcohol but surprisingly well integrated.

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - From NZ. Very powerful, passionfruit nose. Rather sweet, with a sour candy and grapefruit finish. Another over the top wine. Doesn't appeal to me as I feel some serious sensory overload from this wine.

Elena Gewurztraminer 2006 - From Monterey, California. A very light, subdued style of Gewurz. Surprisingly faint aromas coming from this. A little bitter on the finish. A good quaffer.

Navarro Pinot Noir 2005 - Now this is more like it. Dry, light, good varietal character. Well balanced, integrated and seamless. Uncomplicated and ready to drink. Very good.

Kiralyudvar Tokaji 6 puttonyos 1999 - Butterscotch and orange marmalade. Orange rind. Smooth with high acidity to balance the sweetness. Very long finish. The elements of this wine don't quite come together just yet. I think a few more years will improve it even more although it's already an outstanding drink.

[Jenise]

Short notes from dinner with the usual suspects at Restaurant 101.

Paul Hobbs Cocodrilo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - From Paul Hobbs' Argentina project and compliments of Chad Davis of Restaurant 101. Some burnt fruit character on the nose. Very sweet and forward. Long and juicy finish. An over the top style that I find tiring to drink but I'm sure will appeal to some. 14.7% alcohol but surprisingly well integrated.

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007 - From NZ. Very powerful, passionfruit nose. Rather sweet, with a sour candy and grapefruit finish. Another over the top wine. Doesn't appeal to me as I feel some serious sensory overload from this wine.

Elena Gewurztraminer 2006 - From Monterey, California. A very light, subdued style of Gewurz. Surprisingly faint aromas coming from this. A little bitter on the finish. A good quaffer.

Navarro Pinot Noir 2005 - Now this is more like it. Dry, light, good varietal character. Well balanced, integrated and seamless. Uncomplicated and ready to drink. Very good.

Kiralyudvar Tokaji 6 puttonyos 1999 - Butterscotch and orange marmalade. Orange rind. Smooth with high acidity to balance the sweetness. Very long finish. The elements of this wine don't quite come together just yet. I think a few more years will improve it even more although it's already an outstanding drink.

Make a point to avoid Paul Hobbs' Argentinian malbec, too--"burnt fruit" and "over the top" definitely apply. I couldn't drink it. And...Navarro! It never ceases to amaze me, what you get your hands on. Those aren't widely distributed wines, but they've been quietly making the case for cool climate wines for years and are quite well regarded by those of us who manage to find them and appreciate ungobby wines.

Eric Asimov reviewed the 06 Hobbs entry level malbec somewhat favorably in his malbec roundup (published June 11):

Viña Cobos El Felino Mendoza 2006

$17

** 1/2

Balanced, lingering flavors of plums, licorice and oak with an earthy edge. (Paul Hobbs Imports, Napa, Calif.)

While the top Viña Cobos malbec, the Marchiori Vineyard, is fabulous (but way overpriced at $150), everything I've tasted below that level, with the exception of the 2004 Bramare chardonnay, has been pretty forgettable.