Latitude 46 N. 2003 Syrah-- The Power and the Glory

This is the wine we were talking about during dinner the other night. The Brewers, Olivers and my aunt and uncle shared this at a restaurant on Bainbridge Island, WA. The title sounded a little "unmodest" so we had to try it. It did not disappoint. I can't recall the specifics since I have not made any tasting notes, but it was great. I had a fish with a berry glaze and it went perfectly with it. Here's one online review I found: "A very deep and intense WA syrah. Dark and opaque colour, lots of intense blueberry and blackberry fruit -some herbal garrigue notes, but very fruit driven on the nose. Nicely balanced on the palate, intense fruit - more blueberry and currants, with decent currant acidity and soft dry tannins. Probably would have been better in a few years, but with a nice grilled rib eye, this was a very good match."


I have two bottles from a stash I found in a local store here. $35 per bottle, but worth it if you can find it. Web site is www.Latitude46.com. Nothing on there but contact info, though. I searched for a label to post, but had no luck.

Rully “Les St. Jacques”, Villaine 2003

I know very little about French wine. I generally don't purchase it since I don't know what I am buying. I had a glass of sancerre at Hot and Hot before we got down to the serious wine drinking and it was pretty good but I wanted something better. The waiter recommend the Rully as our white wine. What an excellent choice. We commented on how good it was, we turned the bottle around and noticed the importer was Kermit Lynch. One thing that stands out from a wine tasting class was always buy wines imported by Kermit Lynch. Many years later this has not disappointed.

MacRostie Pinot Noir 2002

I should let Rob review this since it was his call at dinner at Hot and Hot with our wives and the Olivers. I turned my nose up at a pinot noir but I couldn't stop drinking this. It was great. I took many small sips denying the beef eaters a chance to drink red wine with their meal. I always find Pinot a little light but this one stood out. The winery web site describes the 2003 as "A bit darker than the average Pinot, the wine shows bright cherry and ripe cranberry aromas, with hints of sandalwood and menthol. On the palate there’s more juicy red fruit, like a good strawberry/rhubarb pie. The lingering finish is crisp and refreshing. While quite soft and enjoyable now, it will repay cellaring for several years." Whatever. I just know I need to find this wine locally.

www.macrostiewinery.com

Wine Tip