Mollydooker

Here is a winery that I have only heard praise for over the past 6 months or so. Their 2005 Carnival of Love bottling got 99 points from Robert Parker and their less expensive bottlings seemed to have all scored in the low to mid 90's. Needless to say after Robert Parker's scores came out it was impossible to find any of the wines at a reasonable price, but the 2006 vintage was just released and I bought a couple bottles for $20 each; the 2006 "The Boxer" and the 2006 "Two Left Feet" ... the Boxer is 100% shiraz, while Two Left Feet is a blend of shiraz, merlot, and cab.

The other night we opened the bottle of "The Boxer" ... prepared to be amazed by the wine. It was big (high alcohol and tons of fruit), but the balance that I look for just wasn't there. It was over the top just for the sake of being over the top. I hoped that it would come into its own w/ a little time in a decanter, but it didn't. I hoped it would improve on the 2nd day, or the 3rd, but it didn't.

There are still plenty of people praising these bottlings for the 2006 vintage, but maybe it's not just my style of wine. I'm still looking forward to the "Two Left Feet" and I hope that by blending the varietals they were able to achieve more balance out of the wine. Although I must say I'm not going to be tracking down any more bottles of "The Boxer" till next year ...

Hug Cellars

On Saturday afternoon we ventured up to Wade's Wines in Agoura Hills for a tasting of Hug Cellars wines. Both the winemaker/owner Augie Hug, and the assistant winemaker were there pouring.

2005 Hug Cellars Pinot Noir, Central Coast ($24.99)
2005 Hug Cellars Pinot Noir, Cedar Lane Vineyard, Arroyo Seco ($29.99)
2005 Hug Cellars Pinot Noir, Orchid Hill Vineyard, Paso Robles ($29.99)
2004 Hug Cellars Syrah, Central Coast (Sale $19.99 Was $27.00)
2000 Hug Cellars Sryah, Bassetti Vineyards, San Luis Obispo ($39.99)
2003 Hug Cellars Syrah, Bassetti Vineyards, San Luis Obispo ($39.99)
2005 Hug Cellars Syrah, Bassetti Vineyards - Rena Block, San Luis Obispo ($44.99)
2005 Hug Cellars Zinfandel, Paso Robles ($29.99)
1998 Hug Cellars Sauvignon Blanc-Semillion, Botrytised, "Encantada" (375ml) (Sale $14.99 Was $25.00)

Quite a line up. I was eager to try these wines because when we went to the tasting room in Paso Robles they were only pouring the Syrahs and we only had previously tasting two of the above wines. I was not too impressed w/ the Pinot lineup, not that they were bad or anything, just weren't too memorable. The Syrahs were really good, favorite would be the 05 Bassetti-Rena Block Syrah followed by the 04 Central Coast Syrah.

Melville Chardonnay "Inox"

On Saturday night we opened a bottle of 2006 Melville Chardonnay, "Inox" to go along w/ our chicken tacos. The wine never touches any oak and does not go through malolactic fermentation. I picked up a couple bottles from the winery the last time we were in the Santa Ynez area, and have been really excited to try one. It was just as good as I wanted it to be. Crisp, with great acidity and a nice amount a fresh fruit and flowers. Damn good. If it wasn't $32/each I'd pick up some more! :)