Food fun

[Florida Jim]

Lunch:

With assorted olives, spreads, veggies and left over pork loin:

1997 Hamacher, Pinot Noir:

Transparent with salmon colored edges, threw some sediment/

Perfectly balanced nose of soil, raspberry, strawberry, humus and some oak spice; nicely complex and expansive/

Light bodied but intense on the palate with flavors that follow the nose and accent the earthy elements without overwhelming the fruit, bright and crisp in the mouth, nearly resolved tannins, some depth, some secondary development, good integration and balance/

Very long and lingering flavors on the finish.

I tried to relate this to a Burgundy appellation but it stands on its own as an excellent example of its distinctly Oregon terroir. Beautiful to drink by itself or with the meal, against which it paired well. Will last and likely develop even more with further cellaring but it is no crime to drink it now. A taut, charming and captivating wine. About $30, delivered, at release.

Dinner:

With sliced tomatoes with organic EVOO:

2002 Pazo de Senorans, Albarino:

This bottle showed a little more acidic than several recent bottles but it was also spicy and delicious. Some bitter almond elements gave it cut with the dish.

Imported by Eric Solomon.

With salmon cakes and caper sauce, celery/parmesan gratin and sautéed fresh corn (off the cob):

1998 Torii Mor, Pinot Noir White Rose Vnyd.:

Decanted off light sediment/

Aromatically similar to Chambolle-Musigny with soaring black fruit, mineral, mushroom and spice scents; gives the impression of great concentration/

And it is very concentrated with flavors that follow the nose and add a light cola element that seems to keep the palate fresh, full bodied and intense, deeply flavored, sappy, layered, structured and well balanced; a very dense wine without the slightest hint of imbalance or being overdone/

Long, sweet fruit finish.

In its youth, this had a candied note which has completely dissipated; it has become a very fine wine and it has many years left in the cellar. A lithe powerhouse.

With a cheese course:

1990 Chat. Rochebelle, St. Emilion:

My last bottle and it continues to show well; seamless and graceful with more cab. franc fruit tones than some previous bottles, no overt wood, lovely balance and substantial secondary development lending complexity. Excellent with the dish.

Imported by me.

Best, Jim