K2WHINO’S GUIDE TO INTOXICATED TRADE SHOW FUNCTIONALITY, PART THREE (THE BIG FINISH)

So I am coming to the end of all my notes from the Vanguard Trade Show this past Monday, and I am pretty amazed at how I managed to stay upright and coherent enough to speak to people on the way back, but there were so many wines, some of which I didn’t get to try, but all-in-all, it was a terrific event.

I met Marbue Marke, winemaker for Caldwell and Randolph Street Wine Co., and having just gotten into the whole Lost TV series, he kind of reminds me of Mister Echo a bit. Marbue has got a brilliant energy, and he was ribbing me a bit for being so quiet (I’m all kinds of Zen at these things, dude). Anyway, I tried first the two new releases from Randolph Street Wine Co., the first being the 375 Rosé Napa Valley 2009 – only in half-bottles (375 ml, get it?) - (Grade=Outstanding), which owner Drew Neiman introduced me to a few months back. It’s now a staple at the Keith household for the summer. And the Cabinet Riesling California 2009 – in liter bottles – (Grade=Outstanding) is one of the best California Rieslings I’ve come across in some time.

Getting into the serious reds, Marbue poured me the Caldwell Rocket Science Napa Valley 2007 (Grade=Amazing), which highlights its primarily Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals with generous amounts of juicy red and black fruit flavors, hints of chocolate, light roasted coffee beans, black tea leaves, some white pepper flakes, and roasted herbs. It is a dynamite red blend that has nice depth and layered richness. The Caldwell Silver C Napa Valley 2006 (Grade=Amazing) is big-time blackberry and raspberry notes, with pepper, mineral, smoke, leather and dark chocolate undertones, a thick, rich midpalate, and a luxurious finish that seems to trail off infinitely into the sunset.

From France now, getting back to Charles Bieler’s new project, the Bieler Pere et Fils Lou Bar Rou Cotes du Ventoux 2007 (Grade=Outstanding) is a primarily Grenache and Syrah blend that shows off zesty peppered red raspberry and blueberry notes, some dusty earth, strawberry pie and black truffle notes. It’s a medium-bodied red that is a great introduction to this Southern Rhone appellation.

A couple of French reds from Martine’s Wines I tried were the Denis Mortet Gevry-Chambertin 2006 (Grade=Outstanding+) and the Bernard Burgaud Cote-Rotie 2007 (Grade=Amazing). The Denis Mortet showed elegance and finesse with its red berry fruit aromas and flavors, hints of wet stones, mushrooms, truffle and spice. And the Bernard Burgaud was a meaty, fleshy presentation of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry notes, some black pepper, tobacco and black olives.

To be sure, there were many others I missed – the wines of Ramey, Orin Swift, Domaine Serene, Tortoise Creek, Finca El Reposo and more. I did manage to wrap things up with two amazing ports from Niepoort: the Niepoort 10 Year Tawny Port (Grade=Amazing) and the Niepoort Vintage Port 2007 (Grade=Amazing). Both were incredible wines, with the 10 Year being one of my top 5 for the day. Its caramel, toffee, toasted hazelnuts, baking spices and vanillin oak were just heavenly, while the Vintage 2007 showed its amazing promise with loads of blackberry jam, baking spices and dark chocolate undertones.

Many thanks to Drew and the entire Vanguard crew for putting on an excellent show. And thanks to local coffee house Stauf’s Coffee Roasters for being my savior! Great java, y’all!