Jane and John Thompson
Janie Farnsworth
On August 16 the Tuesday Tasters made their way to the new part of Robson Ranch. Blackwood Drive? We have a Blackwood Drive. It really was quite easy, out the front gate and back in the Orangewood Gate. Our hosts were Bob and Anne Jones and their beautiful dogs. The theme was Northern Italy.
We had five wines to taste that night, one duplicate, but two ties. Our winning wine was a Valpolicella Superiore. Good and fresh, this ruby red bottle boasts a slightly high-toned cherry and herbal nose. The palate is soft, fruity and ripe with very good fruit intensity. It finishes with light tannins, an easy-drinking wine. This wine was brought by Jane and John Thompson.
Tied for second were Chuck and Diane Miller who brought Moreccio Bolgheri and Janie Farnsworth who brought a Leone d’Oro Figli d’Italia. The Moreccio Bolgheri is from Tuscany. It’s a traditional blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. It features notes of red fruits, vanilla and spices. Smooth and silky tannins blend together with gentle acidity to make this wine rich and intense. The Leone d’ Oro, also from Tuscany, starts out with ample cherry and plum flavors before the leather and tobacco elements and chewy tannins emerge, a traditional style that balances fruit and savory notes.
The next wine was a duplicate and actually tied for third. That rarely happens that the duplicates get rated the same. The wine was a Barbaresco Rivata brought by Sue and Mike Miloser and also by Bill and Joyce Marshall. The Barbaresco is from Piedmont Italy. This wine is a modern style and possesses excellent fruit and a medium to full-bodied personality. It offers an intriguing perfume of vanilla, cherries, tar and spice. Lots of ripe plum and toasted oak characters follow through on the finish.
Dessert was fabulous and all had a wonderful time.