Friend of mine from college settled just outside of Downtown Raleigh with his wife about 3 years ago and I have imposed on them annually ever since. I wish i was writing about the local Raleigh wineries but unfortunately they weren’t in the schedule this year (hopefully next year). Luckily, we did get a chance to drink some wine and check out some good eats downtown.
Saturday night in downtown Raleigh started of with an excellent sandwich at a small bistro style restaurant called Rockford’s. Toasted pumpernikel, melteld fresh mozzelrella, pesto, basil and red roma tomatoes. Sipped on a 2003 Rio Sol Cabernet/Shiraz, excellent everyday value quaffer, soft tannins made for a smooth finish. Onto Vin wine bar where the fun begins…
At Vin I tasted 3 wines. First the 2005 Gilbert Picq Chablis, typical Chablis, juice a lemon over a piece of toast and thats basically this wine. Expected a tad more body but nonetheless still great, 87. Next i went straight for the only Bordeaux on the menu which was the 2003 Chateau Courtin. Medium in body this Bordeaux displayed an old world terrior driven nose of soil, rock and some black cherry. Great balance with a nice slightly spicy finish. This wine was still pretty young (like most Bordeaux us Americans consume), would be nice to revisit in 4-10 years. 90 pts for the Bordeaux, looks pretty limited on wine-searcher but for $30, I would drink again. My visit to Vin ended with my newfound love for Aussie Shiraz. If you enjoy new world fruit bombs then definitely try the 2004 Piombo Shiraz. This McLaren Shiraz exploded with BALANCED dark fruit! I stress balanced. This wine was just plain fun to drink. Reminded me of the Step Rd Shiraz i last reviewed, only better, 92 pts.
The night ended at Rum Runners. Great dueling piano bar with lots of college kids, bachelor/bachelorette parties, dancing, beer, and more beer. No wine here, sorry!
cdavis :: Sep.05.2007 ::
Australia, Bordeaux, France, Raleigh, NC, Shiraz/Syrah ::
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I need to sneak in some Seafood and White before this summer is over. Last night I seared up some simple salt/pepper scallops and opened a 2005 Domaine Le Fruitiere Muscadet . The nose on this white was addictive, extremely fresh citrus, not overpowering. Taste was light citrus (not like sauv blanc) with a mineral/rocks/earth finish. My kind of white! I don’t give many whites 90 pts but for $9! 90 pts all the way.
Without getting too Zen Master on you, I’m beginning to realize that I learn a little something new about wine everyday and how it not only compliments food, but life. It’s all about the experience – everything we do these days we’re told by marketers that its all about the experience. And though, that idea makes us feel that everything we do should be an “experience” and not just an act, I’d like to think that you dont have to over think everything but just enjoy it.