Zoomelier

Last night took a trip over to the zoo and experienced Zoomelier, a tasting tour and fundraiser for our world class facility. Southwestern, our loving local distributors of tasty wine and beers where kind enough to host the event and man did they pull out some great juice to show. The event is only in its’ second year and I cannot imagine the SW guys or the Zoo slowing down anytime soon. They spaced the event out so there was plenty of room between tables but not so far that walking was uncomfortable, crowds were spaced but there was plenty of folks gathering in the main room, if you wanted to chat some folks up. I mean there was an inherent balance to everything going on last night, the only thing I hated was that it seemed as if it was over before it started!!

Our Memphis retailers were on hand to pour tastings (and seconds) for those attending and to discuss the finer points of bottlings for the curious consumer. This really the best industry in the world to work in…..

Some Highlights from last night (at least my favorites)

Justin “Savant”

A Syrah and cabernet blend showing quite nicely in its’ youth (most of Justin’s wine need a few years)there was a deep core of dark berries and currant, a soft spice and a touch of sandalwood.

Owen Roe Syrah  “Ex Umbris”

The layers of fruit and spice alternate, while offering a serious mouthfeel and structured by solid tannin but don’t the dominate force, plum and smoke with a little anise in the faintest

Bunnell Mourvedre

A more elegant entry and exit than the previous wines, but offering much higher acidity and raspberry cherry hints with a rose feel in the nose, the hidden power in this wine makes it my favorite of the tasting

Joel Gott Riesling

An interesting mix of sweeter fruits in the nose sugared peaches and candied orange, but lean on the tongue, a mix of mineral and soft citrus with the fruit coming back around at the very end

River Aerie Gewurztraminer

A seriously dry Gewurtz, a strong candidate for Thanksgiving dinner, floral and cracked pepper with notes of guava and cantaloupe tons of lively acidity