Bill Kimmer's House
August 19, 2008
On an atypical August summer night, we gathered at Bill's for his inagural tasting with the group. The weather had been rather warm, but the rain gods looked down upn Bill and so his hopes of having the tasting on his back deck looking towards Mt. Hood were dashed. But knowing Bill, we all knew he'd put together a fabulous tasting - he did not disappoint. Only Brad was unable to make the tasting this month. And, as in recent months, Loren attended but did not score.
We gathered in Bill's kitchen with his wife, Pat, putting the final touches on the food and pouring the first flight. We started off with two blind whites in decanters. Guesses varied amongst the group - they turned out to be a 2007 Ch. Graville-Lacoste, a white Bordeaux, and a 2007 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. The fix was in although nobody knew it at the time. These pre-wines were paired with some Cave-aged Gouda, White Irish Cheddar, and a Triple Creme. Sliced bagauttes and Spicy Olive antipasti accompanied the cheeses, as did a mouth watering Walla Walla Onion Tart.
We turned our attention to the first flight - four whites served at the perfect temperature. Given the guesses, we weren't sure if any of the four were the same varietal. Some thought they were Rieslings or Chenin Blancs, while others suggested some type of wines from Alsace. Only Mike and Steve came close. They all turned out to be Gewurztraminers from different parts of the world. They included a 2004 Nussbaumer from Italy, where the grape originated, a 2007 Lawson Dry Hills from New Zealand, a 2006 Ash Lollow from the Columbia Valley, and a 1996 Domaine Weinbach Cuvee Laurence from Alsace. Only the Ash Hollow was rated under 90 points by the group. The wine that stole the show in the first flight was the gorgeous Cuvee Laurence which resembled a late harvest offering.
Pat, ever the gracious host, took care of the Traeger in the elements while Bill poured the second flight - four reds - and put together the balance of the food that he would pair with the wine. We enjoyed Salmon Two-Ways, Marinated Tri Tip, Grilled vegetables and Hoisin-glazed Corn on the Cob while breating in the wonderful aromas of the wine. As with the first flight, the group had a difficult time decifering the varietal. Some of us got hints of mint and ecalyptus suggesting a Cabernet Sauvignon. Others noted elements consistent with Syrah. Those in the latter group correctly identified the varietal with Loren, Steve, and Neal , to some extent, on the mark.
As with the first flight, there was a theme - Syrah's from around the globe. We were treated to a 2002 Richard Hamilton Centurion from 110 year old vines from Australia, a 2002 Beautiful K Vinters selection from Walla Walla, a 2002 JC Cellars Rockpile Haley's Reserve, and a 1999 Guigal Cote-Rotie Brune et Blande de Guigal from France. The new AVA Rockpile from JC Cellars was, hands down, the wine of the evening with an average rating of 94 points. Overall, the tasting garnered a 91 point rating, feat not acomplished in some time. Kudos to Bill and Pat for puting on a wonderful tasting.
To end the evening, we all enjoyed a 1988 Graham's Malvedos Vintage Port with a Chocolate Grenache Tart with Marinated Berries and fresh Creme.