duane@anasazi.UUCP (Duane Morse) (02/21/85)
Last night I attended a wine tasting sponsored by "Les Amis du Vin". 10 wines from Joseph Phelps Vineyards (Napa Valley) were served. Phelps is widely regarded as a quality vineyard, producing small amounts of a number of fine wines. Bruce Neyers from Phelps led the tasting, and a more erudite wine expert I've never met. He was witty in addition to being very informative. But enough of the background. My natural prejudice favors white wines; I don't let reds sit in the cellar long enough to become "drinkable", and I'm not willing to pay premium prices to buy aged reds. Suggested retail prices are in parentheses. WHITES 1984 Johannisberg Riesling "Early Harvest" ($7.50). This is billed as an apperitif. It has a pleasant fragrance and a light, somewhat fruity taste. It is slightly sweet with 1.2% r.s. 1983 Sauvignon Blanc ($9.00). Has a very nice, somewhat spicy nose, and a pleasant taste. Phelps ages most of their whites in small, French oak casks. 1981 Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($13.00). Has a weak, pleasant nose, and it is more full-bodied than the next one. 1982 Chardonnay "Sangiacomo Vineyard" ($14.00). Rather thin taste and a weak fragrance. I wasn't impressed. 1983 Scheurebe "Late Harvest" ($15.00). The Scheurebe grape is a cross between Riesling and Sylvaner grape vines. Developed in Germany, it has been officially cultivated only since 1959. I loved this wine. It has an excellent, sweet, fruity taste and nose without being cloying. If you are a fan of the muscato grape, you'll like this grape even better. Note: 12.2% r.s. REDS 1983 Napa Zinfandel ($7.00). Has a strong, flowery fragrance. One person commented that this is very much like a Beaujolais, and Mr. Neyers happily replied that that was the intention. My wife liked it, though it was too tannic for me. 1981 Zinfandel, Alexander Valley ($7.50). This one has a much milder, pleasant nose, and less tannin (naturally). I still don't care for Zinfandels. 1980 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($13.00). Mr. Neyers said that 1980 a remarkable year for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. This particular wine should peak in about 7 years and is admittedly rather "raw" at the moment. It has a pleasant nose and a strong taste of tannin. It is a mixture of 90% CS, 8% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 1980 Insignia (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot) ($26.00). "Insignia" is a mix of the best cuvees for the year, so the percentages vary from one harvest to the next. This particular wine used 5 CSs and 3 Merlots. Mr. Neyers said it should peak in about 15 years. I thought it had an undistinguished nose, a mild, unremarkable taste, though it was definitely softer than the previous selection. 1979 Syrah ($9.00). Note: this is the Syrah grape, NOT Petit Sirah (which is something entirely different). It has a nice, slightly spicy nose. The taste was unremarkable, but only mildly tannic. Mr. Neyers recommended that the wine should rest in the cellar another 8 years or so. Duane Morse