Notes from last night's 50th birthday party for Chef Gene Gonzalez.
Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique NV - Very fruity for a brut. Mostly orange, some apple. Just a little lemon. Very friendly and pretty good.
Torres Santa Digna Reserve Rose 2008 - Cabernet Sauvignon. Strawberry snow cone syrup pink. Sweetish and juicy. Very friendly wine although a bit simple. Strong pomelo finish.
Torres Milmanda Chardonnay 2006 - A bit too oaky for my taste. Soft and silky but very muted flavors. A bad bottle?
St. Clair Sauvingon Blanc 2006 - Very ripe guava nose but the flavor tends to lemon. Good but boring.
Torres Celeste Crianza 2005 - This is from the new Ribera del Duero project of Torres. Very dark. Meaty, earthy nose. Sweetish attack. Tannic and very smoky. Medium-bodied. Plummy, bittersweet chocolate. Very long and slightly woody finish. Impressive wine. Needs a few years or an hour in a decanter.
Torres Mas La Plana 1997 - Barnyard nose. In the mouth, dried cherries and tobacco leaf. Very soft and seems older than it is. Past its peak, unfortunately. I would drink this up.
Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz 1994 - Still very dark. High roast coffee. Syrupy and spicy. Still a powerful and rich wine. This could probably go another decade without too much trouble. Still a bit tannic. Definitely New World but very well integrated oak. Very impressive.
Torres Chile Conde de Superanda 2002 - Four grapes in this but I only recall Tempranillo and Carmenere. Rather light and dilute but tannic. Slightly green, underripe. I was expecting more. I'd give this a pass.