Burgundy - hosted by Rheinallt and Valerie - February 25th

Burgundy Tasting - hosted by Rheinallt and Valerie.

WHEN?  Saturday February 25th, 7:30 pm

THEME:  Burgundy - a region in France
Bourgogne is the French word for Burgundy.

BRING:  The wines were curated for us, each person only needed to bring $30/person to cover the cost of the wines. Burgundy wines are often at a higher price point than our usual tasting regions, but we feel this tasting was much too special to miss.

Image Credit - Wine Folly

Burgundy Made Simple:
(Note: we focused on the Cote d'Or (The golden slopes) region. Cote d'Or is made up of 2 smaller regions Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune).

If it's a White Wine from Burgundy, it's a Chardonnay.
If it's a Red Wine from Burgundy, it's a Pinot Noir.

Burgundy Wine Classification:
1) Grand Cru (2%)
2) Premier Cru (18%)
3) Village appellation (30%)
4) AOC Bourgogne (50%)

There are over 2000 years of wine making in the Burgundy region.  First the Celts, then the Monks, the Dukes, etc.  Burgundy has survived 2 World Wars, and still the wine is being perfected.

There is a limestone escapement (or ridge) in Burgundy, that aids in the composition of the soil in the area.  The quality or composition of the soil determines the field (or climate - pronounced Klee-matt)'s classification.  (see diagram below).  This soil is perfect for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is why those are the main two varietals in Burgundy's Cote d'Or region.

In Burgundy, when a father died, he would pass his vines onto his sons, equally.  And when they died, they passed the vines onto their sons, and so forth.  Thus, it is possible that within a given field, there are different owners per row, or per few rows.  The wine is then made by that owner (aka producer or vintner) from their row or rows of grapes.  This is why wine in Burgundy can be so much more expensive than other regions in France.  Also this is why you see so many different wine labels from the same area.  Each label has the vintage, producer, climate, etc.  Rheinallt did a great job of explaining how to read the labels.

Tasting Notes:
Welcome Wine:  2012 Domaine Alain Chavy Bourgogne $17.99 @ Le Caveau
13% alcohol, 100% Chardonnay, AOC classification

1) 2012 Jean Michel Gaunaux Meursalt $74.99 @ Le Caveau
13% alcohol, 100% Chardonnay, Village classification
Jean Michel was the producer, Gaunaux Meursalt is the climate.
peach, apricots, fruity, honeysuckle, salty, good salinity, oak, white melon, good minerality, not quite licorice maybe fennel and dill on the finish, "I'm so happy right now", "It's like really expensive pound cake", would pair well with oysters, mussels, escargot, sea bass.

2) 2013 Bruno Colin 'En Remilly' Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Blanc $117.99 @ Le Caveau
13.5% alcohol, 100% Chardonnay, Premier Cru Classification
Bruno Colin is the producer, Chassagne-Montrachet is the climate. He has 8 rows of vines in this climate.  perfumey, orchids, effervescence, floral, lily of the valley, perfection! honey, thicker, acidic, early Saturday night wine, nectar of the Gods!

COMPARISON TASTINGs from different region
2.25) 2013 Lynmar Estate, Russian River Valley California, Quail Hill $60 @ Lynmar Estate
14.4% alcohol, 100% Chardonnay,
funky nose, saline, briny, oaky, tarragon notes.

2.5) 2012 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay - gift from a non-wino friend
Rheinallt wanted us to just smell this one, just to get the nose.
It was very different, not pleasant at all.

2.75) 2011 Demessey Bourgogne $15 @ Le Caveau (bargain bin section)
13% alcohol, 100% Chardonnay, AOC classification
light, quaffable, delightful,

3) 2013 Bruno Colin Santenay 1er Cru 'Les Gravieres' $68.99
13% alcohol 100% Pinot Noir, Premier Cru classification
nose of pinot, licorice, leather, haunting, cocoa bean chocolate, gentle perfume, strawberries, very ripe strawberries on the finish

4) 2014 Francois Lumpp 'A Vigne Rouge' Givry 1er Cru Rouge $48.99 @ Le Caveau
13% alcohol, 100% Pinot Noir, Premier Cru classification
Francois Lumpp (loooomp) is the producer, Givry is the climate.
more body, perfumey nose, white flowers, toasted marshmallow, more depth

5) 2013 Michel Guillard 'Reniard' Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Rouge $46.99 @ Le Caveau
13% alcohol, 100% Pinot Noir, Village Classification
Michel Guillard is the producer, Gevrey-Chambertin is the climate, Vieilles Vignes means Old Vines
strawberries, perfumey, richer, the finish lingers on your tongue, lilac on the nose, more ancient, earthy, more body.

6) 2013 Joseph Voillot Volnay Vieilles Vignes $68.99 @ Le Caveau
13% alcohol, 100% Pinot Noir, Village Classification
Joseph Voillot (vwah-loh) is the producer, Volnay is the climate, Vieilles Vignes means Old Vines
oaked, chewy, delicious, delightful

COMPARISON TASTING from different region
6.5) 2013 Lynmar Estate Pinot Noir - Quail Hill - $55 @ Lynmar Estate
14.4% alcohol, 100% Pinot Noir
pepper, chocolate, silky, graphite on the nose, acidic, strawberry, jammy (in a good way).

Bodega Renacer Wine Tasting & Barrel Painting January 21st, 2017 atVino Venue

Bodega Renacer Wine Tasting & Barrel Painting  at  Vino Venue

When:  Saturday January 21st, 2016 @ 3 pm - 5pm

Theme:  Bodega Renacer Wine Tasting & Barrel Painting
Unleash your Inner Artist on Saturday, January 21st!   Founded by Patricio Reich, Bodega Renacer prides itself in bringing consumers the very best wines from South America’s unique terroirs. The combination of Patricio’s passion for Mendoza’s wines and his extensive business experience has resulted in a modern and sophisticated winery that produces well-crafted, enjoyable wines that not only offer tremendous value but have garnered praise worldwide. In addition, Renacer has received awards for their support of the local art community in Mendoza. To celebrate, local young artists gather at special events to paint barrels that link both art, culture and the Argentine passion for wine. These special barrels are often gifted to distributors and importers.
In Spanish, Renacer means to be reborn.
Join us for a one-of-a-kind tasting featuring five Renacer wines and lite bites while two artists bring new life to used wine barrels. Best of all, you'll be entered in a raffle to take home one of these unique artwork pieces! And because we believe everyone's a winner, each attendee will receive a Renacer adult coloring book, the latest craze, to help you unleash your inner artist.

Bring:  Yourself - please purchase tickets Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Where:
Vino Venue - 4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 - 770-668-0435
*Vino Venue is located in the Georgetown Kroger Shopping Center, near where I-285 and Chamblee Dunwoody Rd intersect.

RSVP:  Please go to the Vino Venue website and purchase tickets.  Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Wines we will be tasting:

• Punto Final Malbec Clasico
• Milamore
• Punto Final Cabernet Sauvignon
• Punto Final Malbec Reserva
• Renacer

TWITs Naughty or Nice Nebbiolo Tasting and "Blanc" Elephant GiftExchange - hosted by Ms. Abbie & Mr. Matt

TWITs Naughty or Nice Nebbiolo Tasting and "Blanc" Elephant Gift Exchange - hosted by Ms. Abbie & Mr. Matt

When:  Friday December 9th, 2016 @ 7 pm

Theme:  Naughty or Nice Nebbiolo & our Annual "Blanc" Elephant gift exchange

Bring:  TWITs should bring:
1) A bottle of Nebbiolo within the price range (Up to $20/bottle for Single Attendee, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples, couples only expected to bring 1 bottle per couple)
     AND
2)   A wrapped gift (under $15) for the "Blanc" Elephant Gift Exchange

Tasting Notes: 
Welcome Wine:  2013 Langhe Rosso Nebbiolo DOC ~ $14.99 @ Le Caveau
13% alcohol

1) 2012 Fontana Fredde "Ebbio" Langhe Nebbiolo - $20 @ Minx
13.5% alcohol
rusty red color, floral nose, spicy flowers, slow drippy legs, not a whore but not a church lady, mushroom, smooth tart @ the end, ash, tar, licorice, lavendar, ash on the after palate, hits the back of the palate.

2) 2009 Panebianco Musso "Pora" Barbaresco - $34.99 @ Toco Hills
14% alcohol
smells like Westworld, leathery, could open up more, very dry, bone dry, rubbing alcohol, gritty, light palate, grippy, perfume, dark chocolate. needed air, it mellowed some after being open for 2 hrs.

3) 2010 Vendemmia Travaglini Gattinara ~ $33 @ City Wine and Spirits
13.5% alcohol
perfumey, herby, violets, thinner, lighter, vanilla, marshmallow, sweeter on the nose, caramel, roasted marshmallow, licorice, buttery palate, Jess's fave so far, quaffable.

4) 2011 Rocche di Castigliano Falletto Monchiero Barolo - $39 on sale
14.5% alcohol
smooth and well balanced, love the nose, butterscotch, tannins, bark, so lovely, dry, dried oak, cassis after palate.

5) 2015 Cren del Gufo Langhe Nebbiolo - $11.99 @ Total Wine
12.5% alcohol
the palate is flaccid, grape jelly, communion wine, gas station wine, I wish they were doing a Nebbiolo at communion, whiff of almond extract, ash on back end, back end of nose, garlicky, if I were stranded on an island Id trink it, gasoline, this is the worst Nebbiolo I've had, like a non-wino brought me wine.

6) 2012 Castello di Verduna Langhe Nebbiolo  $24 @ an Integrity Wine Tasting
14% alcohol
cranberry, red, maroon, short finish, flat, fruity nose, welch's grape, it stops short, training wheels on, it's not ready, the cheese rounds commercial, tart, sangria, gas station wine, tangerine

7) 2014 Nada Fiorenzo Langhe Nebbiolo $24 @ Total Wine
14% alcohol
sea salt, butterscotch, dry, but lingering spice, caramel, chocolate, fuller on the palate, sour grapes, high tannins, "socks on your molars"

8) 2012 Damilano Lecinque Vigne - $42.99 @ Jackie's Fine Wines in East Cobb
14% alcohol
Matt's fave, smooth and velvet, alcohol, spice, white pepper, powdery chocolate, we all like it!

9) 2011 Pelissero Langhe Nebbiolo - $38 @ Merchant Package
14% alcohol
butterscotch, buttery, malty palate, ooh I like it, cassiss a little bit, smoother, smoky, velvet, white pepper on finish, I knew it when I nosed it, this is my style.

10) 2011 Franco Serra Barbaresco - $25
14% alcohol
put it in your mouth, dirt cherries, earthy, dark cherry, tobacco, grass, plums, sweeter palate, middle earth fruit, dirty plum, light flush, dirty socks, dark skinned fruit, I like it!

TRIVIA: Albiesa raised text on some of the bottles. Why?  The Albeisa, expression of a wine area:
The Albeisa bottle dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, when the Alba-area producers, proud of their own wines and desirous of distinguishing them from other wines, adopted a bottle with a distinctive shape and named it the Albeisa, or Alba bottle. With the invasion of Napoleon, however, this bottle was gradually replaced by two shapes typical of French wines, the Bordeaux and Burgundy bottles. These were more economical and they had a more regular profile, since the glass was blown into moulds that were perfectly cylindrical. In 1973, 16 producers decided to resurrect the venerable Albeisa bottle, adapting it to more modern demands and adding the name Albeisa in relief on the bottle.  The Unione Produttori Vini Albesi, the Union of Alba Wine Producers, was established, and an agreement was struck with Vetrerie Italiane di Dego, today Saint-Gobain Vetri, the only glassworks authorised to produce the Albeisa.  The purpose is to showcase and to distinguish even more the superb wines of the Langhe and Roero hills. In fact, only the wines from the official denominations of this area may be bottled in the Albeisa. The Unione Produttori Vini Albesi is a non-profit organisation whose primary mission is to more fully develop and promote the wine production of the Alba area by means of events, such as the "Nebbiolo Prima" (preview tasting for the world wine press), and by the creation of promotional materials, such as the new Riedel-Albeisa tasting glass. Very few wine bottles across the globe immediately identify a wine area and its wines, and the Albeisa, with its unique shape, is in that select few. Over 200 wineries producing 12 million bottles of wine per year make the Albeisa bottle without any doubt a resounding success and an eloquent expression of an unsurpassed terroir, that of the Langhe and Roero.

TWITs - Zinfandel on the Porch - hosted by Ms. Kathy and Mr. Jamie

TWITs - Zinfandel on the Porch - hosted by Ms. Kathy and Mr. Jamie - November 19th, 2016

When:  Saturday November 19th, 2016 @ 6 pm

Theme:  Zinfandel on the Porch

Bring:  TWITs should bring a bottle of Zinfandel (a red wine) within the price range (Up to $20/bottle for Single Attendee, between $20 - $40/bottle for Couples, couples only expected to bring 1 bottle per couple)  NOTE:  Zinfandel is a red wine, not the same thing as White Zinfandel.

Tasting Notes: 
Welcome Wine 1) Trecini Zinfandel Brut, Rockpile Sonoma County ~ $40 from the winery's wine club, members only purchase.
this was a sparkling Zinfandel, 12.5% alcohol.

Welcome Wine 2) Francois Montand Brut Rose - $15 @ Roswell Provisions
this wine was not a zin, but it was delicious

1) 2013 Dashe Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley - $36.99 @ Le Caveau
14.1% alcohol
black pepper, spicy, very dry, dark purple red, lighter zin, very nice, cherries, acidic, nice acidity, smooth, pinot-noir-ish, delicious.
Anecdote:  Abbie and Matt met the winemaker Anne Dashe at a wine tasting, they like to call her "Mrs. Dashe".  the label features a monkey riding a fish, the meaning behind this is that Anne is the fish, she grew up in a fishing village in France, and the monkey is her husband Michael, an American.  It represents two animals on a journey.

2) 2002 Biale Zinfandel, Silvarado Trail, Napa Valley - $39
16.7% alcohol
totally different, smells green, grassy, light, WOAH! spinach nose, spinach with no seasoning, bold palate, port-like, perfumey, licorice, chocolate, sweeter, earthy, it's seen some wood, tastes like almost an Australian Shiraz, dustiness, plastic-nose, inflatables, drier, hits back of the palate, too many grape seeds, bitter on the end, dusty, seen some oak, mulled wine, cinnamon, nutmet, christmasy
Anecdote:  Why is there a Black Chicken on the label of this wine?  In the times of the great depression, the Biale farm phone line was a party line so people could overhear you.  Aldo knew that in Italy the folkloric symbol for the wines from Chianti is the Gallo Nero — Black Rooster. That seemed an appropriate moniker for his secret wine, and a code name was born. Soon phone calls started coming over the party line with customers requesting, for example, “2 dozen eggs, some zucchini, prunes, walnuts and a Gallo Nero.” Aldo’s ranch was known for its legions of leghorn chickens so the code name quickly evolved from Gallo Nero (Black Rooster) to Gallina Nera — Black Chicken.
Anecdote #2:  Chris had a friend who had a rather bad tattoo of a Phoenix on his arm, they called it the black chicken, and thus his friend became known as the Black Chicken when they played tennis.

3) 2010 Nichelini Zinfandel Reserve Estate Bottle, Napa Valley ~ $30-$50 @ the winery
16.1% alcohol
deep dark, i love the nose on this one, spicy, lots of fruit, anise-nose, tart, caramel, not as dry, dill, chocolate, american oak, tobacco, in the middle range, classic zin, cran-orange, nutmeg, biscotti cookies.

4) Scherrer Zinfandel - Alexander Valley - $35 @ Le Caveau
14.5% alcohol
smells sweeter, fruity, bing cherry, nicely balanced, yummy, smooth, elegant, olive brine, herbacious, quaffable, privet bush, lime or lemon on the nose, lemon verbena, key lime, canned cranberry sauce, cucumber
Anecdote:  Several TWITs went to the Fred Scherrer Wine Dinner at Southbound in 2014.  Fred played guitar, and we stayed late into the night.  What a lovely time!

5) 2005 Di Arie Zinfandel, Shenandoah Valley - $39 @ Merchants Package
14.7% alcohol
perfumey, light, perfect zin, bitter and spice on the finish, would pair well with a cigar, smoky, cardamom, "I'm into it", very good with food, old dresser, brighter red fruits, cloves, "reeks of expensive flavors"

6) 2012 Frogs Leap Rutherford, Napa Valley - $29.99 @ Toco Giant
13.7% alcohol
delicious nose, vanilla, chocolate, bronze in color, dirt, cherry, nestle powdered chocolate, "Ew - can we go to #7?" long finish on a bad wine, citrus-zest, mmm, finish is long and flabby, Guessing Chalk Hill? requires cheese, sour grapes, what happened?  I feel like I picked up someone else's wine glass, I feel I could make the wine better, Brian said he has had this one at the winery and he thinks something is just wrong with this particular bottle.

7) 2013 St. Francis, Sonoma County - $20 @ Total Wine
15.2% alcohol
port-like, perfumey, better than the last one, syrup, chocolate, mens cologne, candy corn, blackberry, decorative hand soap in the shape of seashells, cigars,
Anecdote:  Chad and Christy got married at this winery.

8) 2013 Old Soul Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi - $18 @ Marietta Wine Market
13.5% alcohol
thicker, milk chocolate, sweet, jammy, vanilla, lighter nose, nutmeg and cinnamon, rhubarb, nose of tart fruits, christmas, fragrant tart fruits, green apple, soft finish, easy-drinking zin, balanced, front of the palate, by far the softest, not an "in your face zin", sweet, sticky

9) 2009 d'Art Zinfandel, Lodi ~ $ 28 - $32
15% alcohol (Hungarian Oak)
funky nose, ooh that stinks, nose is bright, musty, cherry, cauliflower, robotussin palate, twizzlers, the good kind of robotussin, Robotussin D, it's all about the D, Lodi stank,

10) 2014 Sobon Estates, Plymouth, CA - $24 @ Total Wine
15.5% alcohol
Guessing Lodi? not as fruity, milder, nose not as pronounced, tar, asphalt, Lodi, thicker in the mouth, it's so fruit forward, tannins, going to stain my lips, that's a party in your mouth

Our lovely TWITs Ladies

Appetizers to  pair with the wine

Acquiring the Bouquet (smelling the wine)

On the Porch

Course 2 - smoked pork and roasted veggies

Lil' JPP and Bella playing

Start them Young?  lol 

Kathy always has the cutest napkins!

Evelyne de Pontbriand Tasting at Le Caveau

Wine Tasting with Winemaker Evelyne de Pontbriand of the legendary Domaine du Closel in Savennières.  

Domaine du Closel produces some of the worlds finest organic Chenin Blanc in the appellation of Savennières, the Grand Cru of the Loire Valley. The family has been has been producing wine at the Château des Vaults since 1495. We tasted through a selection of wines from the domaine including the Anjou red, the sparkling wine and the 2005 Clos du Papillon cellar selection which are available for the first time in Georgia! This is a rare opportunity to meet Evelyne who is one of the most delightful vigneronnes in the wine business!

NV Domaine du Closel 'Sauvage' Brut Non Dosé
2014 Domaine du Closel 'La Jalousie' Savennières
2005 Domaine du Closel 'Clos du Papillon' Savennières
2013 Domaine du Closel 'Clos du Papillon' Savennières
2012 Domaine du Closel 'Une Emotion' Rouge Anjou
2011 Domaine de L'Oubliée 'Tenue de Soirée' Bourgueil

Peter Wasserman Tasting at Le Caveau - Oct 12th

Peter Wasserman (importer) Tasting at Le Caveau - Oct 12th

Nicole, Peter, and Abbie

Abbie, Nicole, Heidi

Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines - Saturday October 8th, 2016

Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines - Saturday October 8th, 2016

Happy HalloWine!  

When:  Saturday October 8th, 2016 - 2 pm - 5pm ET   

Theme:  Spooky-good-to-be-true Bargain Bin Wines

Where:  

Le Caveau Fine Wines

5256 Peachtree Rd. 
Suite 102

Atlanta, GA 30341
770-837-0710

Recipe:   Chilled Creamy Cucumber Soup - Deb said she didn't need to add water to it.
All cheese purchased at CostCo, Whole Foods, Kroger (on Hammond in Sandy Springs)

Cheese to Wine Scale:
(Affinage is French term describing the aging and maturity level of cheeses)
Soft Cheeses  <------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Hard Cheeses
Fresh, High water, milky                                                  Affinage                                     Moisture evaporates - leaves
delicate,                                                                                                                                        behind the fat and protein (flavors) 
                                                                                                                                                       older more rich and savory

Delicate Wines  <-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------> Bold Wines
Young wines have primary                                                                                                      Time spent in cask or bottle knit
notes: fresh, spirited, lively aromas                                                                                       together and acquire nuance.
bright flavors of fruits, flowers, citrus,                                                                                  Secondary notes of oak, toast, 
herbs and spice                                                                                                                           earth, oxidation, minerals, umami
                                                                                                                                                        more complex and savory


Tasting Notes:
1) 2014 La Grange Tiphaine 'Noveau-Nez' Petillant Montlouis-sur-Loire - $28
13% alcohol,
100% Chenin Blanc farmed organically (certified ECOCERT in 2008) practicing biodynamic.  Damien and Coralie Delecheneau are based in Touraine-Amboise but work many vineyards in Montlouis.  This petillant naturel is made in the typical, minimal-intervention manner. The grapes were picked at a potential alcohol of 13.8%, Still in fermentation, the wine is bottled with 14 g/l of residual sugar after which secondary fermentation happens naturally in the bottle.  In the glass it has a vibrant gold with a fine yet plentiful bead.  There is a nose of grilled peaches and rose petals, peppered with nuances of marzipan and a touch of baked apple, yet despite this, it feels fresh with bright and powdery edges.
Cheese Pairing:  Blue Castello St. Agur

2) 2015 Chateau Ducasse Blanc Bordeaux  - $17
12% alcohol,
60% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle.
Made from 45+ year-old sustainably farmed vines planted within the Graves appellation of Bordeaux in limestone and clay soils, the wine is a blend of 60% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle.  Aged entirely in stainless for 6 months before bottling, the wine displays fresh fruited, lively mineral character.  Fresh citrus, honeysuckle, and a bevy of tropical fruits, green mango, papaya, passion fruit, plantains.  The finish is long and oily lingering for some time.
Cheese Pairings:  Dubliner Aged Cheddar, Lancashire, Mahon, Derby, Brie

3) 2015 Domaine du Couron Rose Ardeche - $ 11
14% alcohol
100% Grenache
Jean_Luc and Marie-Lise Dorthe produce this dry rose exclusively from their 39-year old, sustainably farmed vines of Grenache.  The juice is rested on skins for precisely 8 1/2 hours to get this exact color and fresh-fruited aromas of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus.  With a rich, fresh-fruited palate and a slightly honeyed texture, it is easy to understand why this was handily our best-selling rose last summer, selling out in 3 weeks.
Cheese Pairings:  Oussau-Iraty, Azeitao, Tete des Moines, Gruyere, Cheshire

4) 2013 Bodega de Pinoso 'Flos de Pinoso' Alicante - $13
14% alcohol
100% Monastrell
Vinified from 100% organically farmed Monastrell entirely in stainless tanks, the 'Flos de Pinoso' boasts a remarkably perfumed, fresh-fruited nose.  Wild red and black berries along with dark spice, combine with integrated tannins and acidity on the palate.  Decidedly fresher and more toned than a lot of the chewy, dense Monastrell coming from this eastern Spanish region, the wine is an easy match with BBQ
Cheese Pairings:  Manchego

5) 2015 Domaine Duseigneur 'La Chapelle' Cotes du Rhone  - $14
14% alcohol
50/50% Grenache/Syrah Blend
composed of equal parts biodynamically farmed old-vine Grenache and Syrah, this delightful fruit-driven Rhone is easy to love.  The grapes are sourced from clay hills above the Rhone river, just across from Chateauneuf du Pape.  Fermented entirely in stainless, the wine has wonderful freshness. Founded in 1967, the domaine's principles of respecting soil and environment lead it to be among the first to embrace organic farming in the Rhone.
Cheese Pairings:  Dubliner Aged Cheddar, Cheshire, St. Nectaire, aged Gruyere, Manchego, Gouda

6) 2010 Quinta do Mondego 'Mondeco' Tinto Dao  - $11
13.5% alcohol
Blend of Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Baga
Made from hand-harvested Tinta Roriz (aka: Tempranillo), Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen & Baga.  Fermentation in small stainless steel tanks, with 10% of the blend aged in French Oak casks for 12 months.  Intense, dark garnet color and elegant aromas of fresh dark fruits with a touch of mint and cigar box.  A full bodied palate of rich, ripe dark fruits is balanced with good acidity and firm tannins.  91 pts from wine enthusiast.
Cheese Pairings:  sharp cheddar, Azeitao, Mahon, Manchego

(not planned, but Marnie brought a bottle to share)
7) 2014 Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters Select Red Wine Blend  ~ $30
17% alcohol
Cooper & Thief is a dark and jammy red blend comprised of 38% Merlot, 37% Syrah, 11% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% other red varieties, and loaded with bourbon-inspired flavors and aromas. Aging for three months in ex-bourbon barrels gives way to soft velvety tannins, with a subtle heat. The combined result is a rich flavor with a long, lingering finish.
Reminded me of Orin Swift's The Prisoner but with more Port-like notes.
Cheese Pairings:  Blue cheese

Photos: