Achtung! Carova Milk Bar!

So we meet again, the Carova Milk Bar that is. The lovely Meagan graced us with a delightfully delicious Sineann 2006 Gewurztraminer Celilo Vineyard Columbia Gorge, WA. She smuggled that one back from a trip with her husband Richie. It had a bright green-gold color with a nose of white flowers, jasmine, honeysuckle, rosewater, lavender & pure fennel, tarragon, & apricot fruit flavors.

Next up was the 2005 Inman Family Olivet Grange Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley provided by Michael Barar. The nose was pure black cherry fruit with dill, licorice & tea. The palate was silky, luscious, lightly creamy with an integrated acidity & elegant structure.

My contribution was a Delas Freres 1997 Hermitage Cuvee Marquis de la Tourette (which Wine Spectator says wasn't imported. Ha! I bought it in Louisville, KY!). The dark purple color barely revealed its age. The nose was all tradition with dried meat, leather, star anise & fennel. The palate displayed leather, bacon, dried blueberry & soil. It went perfectly with the lamb stew I prepared. Yum!

Elizabeth brought along a Szigeti NV Rose from Austria. Its pure color was onion & salmon tinted. The nose was raspberry-lime, stone & black licorice. The palate had cherry soda, strawberry & crisp acidity on a creamy structure.

The next Michael Barar wine was the Rhys Alesia Syrah Sonoma Coast 2003. The dark purple color did not give a hint at its age. On the nose was black fruits, pork & blueberry. The supple, full rich palate gave me the impression that it could last another 5 more years.

Mr. Chi popped open an Oliver Hill Shiraz 2005. It's black black BLACK color was impenetrable. On the nose was deep menthol, blackberry & smoke. The palate was very big & rich, full, huuuuuuuuge. Whoa. For anyone who likes to be molested by their wine, go for this one.

Lastly, I decided to open a 1999 Castello di Ama Vin Santo. Its honeyed nose had aromas of apricot & nuts. The luscious texture was sweet & pure with nice acid, rich but not heavy. Lovely.

Cheers to another meeting of the Carova Milk Bar.