Some of the regulars may remember a little over a year ago, a doctor was selling his wine collection and solicited offers from this group. I bought his two subject bottles and invited another couple of friends over last night to share the wine with grilled ribeyes.
The wine was exquisite. Soft purple color, appropriately lighter around the edges, and subdued fruity and floral nose. Medium body, with black currants, coffee, leather present, medium/full texture, with a Mouton-esque whiskey finish and still firm tannins.
For the aperitifs, we had a bottle of 2002 Geyser Peak sauv. blanc and 2001 Eola Hills chardonnay, which were fine with the various nuts, gouda and saga cheeses, and shrimp cocktail. I really was intrigued with the chardonnay because it was very much like a viognier - powerful floral and spice notes, a little glycerin; I'd recommend it to those who are bored with typical New World chardonnays.