DEFINING THE PHRASE “A WINO’S DOZEN” (HURRICANE ABBY AND HER HARD 18: THE UNRATED VERSION)

Thursday we sort of experienced a wine tasting smackdown when our Seligman rep (i.e., the Budweiser house) and extended family member Abby came by to show us some of the new wines they picked up. So far, Budweiser hasn’t exactly piqued our interests with their wine ventures, but these were a really big surprise. We even had to coin a new phrase for this event, as you will understand shortly – a wino’s dozen.

La Puerta Torrontes La Rioja 2009. Grade=Average. This is a farily simple Torrontes; not much in the nose, yet has nice presence on the palate – good acidity, nice notes of peaches and apricots. A decent wine.

Tamaya Sauvignon Blanc Limari Valley 2009. Grade=Outstanding. A pretty good SB with notes of gooseberry, guava and grapefruit, nice presence of mineral and dried herbs, and bracing acidity. Well done.

Infinitus Viura/Chardonnay Tierra de Castilla 2009. Grade=Outstanding. A very nice light-to-medium bodied white wine with loads of tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Finishes crisp and clean.

Tamaya VCS Limari Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc come together for a very fruity, well-rounded white wine with hints of peaches, nectarines and lemon zest. Delicious.

Robert Reynolds Chardonnay Rocky’s Block Lodi 2008. Grade=Average. Yes, I am on my Chardonnay soapbox here; mediocre notes of apples and nectarines with heavy cream and toasted oak. It’s okay.

3 Girls Chardonnay Lodi 2008. Grade=Outstanding. A little better with more fruit and acidity up front and less big oak and buttery cream on the finish. Has a lot of balance and satisfying mouthfeel.

3 Girls Pinot Noir Lodi 2008. Grade=Average. I think they missed the mark with this Pinot Noir, blended with small amounts of Merlot and Syrah; should be labeled a blend. It’s okay, but when tasting Pinot Noir, it should be Pinot Noir. My unsolicited PN bias, beeyatches!

Robert Reynolds Pinot Noir Rocky’s Block Lodi 2006. [CORKED]

Robert Reynolds Merlot Rocky’s Block Lodi 2007. Grade=Average. Not bad, but in this price range, the competition is FIERCE! (I hate that word too.) Has decent notes of dark cherries and plums, but runs aground in a sea of mediocrity.

La Puerta Malbec Mendoza 2008. Grade=Average. Kind of green throughout its semi-ripe blue and black fruit, sage, thyme, earth and mineral. Like a pork chop with blackberry compote, smothered in scallions.

Infinitus Tempranillo Tierra de Castilla 2009. Grade=Average. Bright cherry, mineral, red plums, white pepper and dusty earth are displayed in this okay Temp. Not bad for the price.

Infinitus Cabernet/Tempranillo Tierra de Castilla 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Much more on the palate than its sibling, this blend has some punch with black fruits, mint, cedar, tobacco and spice.

Tamaya Carmenere Limari Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Pretty nice expression of the grape; lacking the green veg most of its brethren posssess, this one shows some solid tannins, firm backbone, black and blue fruit aromas and flavors, and some lovely minerality for balance.

La Puerta Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2007. Grade=Average. Pedestrian in its medium-bodied approach with so-so notes of black currants, blackberries, leather and earth. A decent quaff amongst a crowd of decent quaffers.

Robert Reynolds Cabernet Sauvignon Rocky’s Block Lodi 2007. Grade=Amazing. I wasn’t expecting this at all, but this wine unloaded on my palate with a barrage or big, juicy black fruits, mint, spice, mocha, espresso, baked earth, black pepper, dark chocolate and black cherries. A lot going on, and then they hit me with the price – one awesome value this one.

Robert Reynolds Zinfandel Rocky’s Block Lodi 2007. Grade=Outstanding+. Really nice, with its brambly blue and black berry delivery, some notes of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and sandalwood.

OZV Zinfandel Lodi 2005. Grade=Amazing. A big, voluptuous Zin with dark fruits, chocolate, vanilla, white pepper, black tea, baking spices and juicy raisins. Medium-to-full-bodied with creamy oak and zesty spices on the finish.

Vallformosa Mistinguet Cava NV. Grade=Outstanding. A nice, effervescent sparkler with crisp, tart apple and pear notes and undertones of lemon zest and toasted brioche. Finishes light and dry.

(BTW, a wino’s dozen is now defined as 18.)