Lots of big wines to sample at Gary’s tasting

As usual, Gary’s tasting was the bomb. This is a well-attended charity event. There were several hundred alcoholic beverages and a bounty of rare foods to sample. Let’s open with a $15 Cali Pinot Noir - Garnet Monterey PN 2012 was rated 92 by WE and named 11th on the Top Best Buy of 2014 list. Also won gold at San Diego and double gold at San Francisco’s International Expo. Saintsbury, which bought the grapes from Garnet’s vineyards, formerly produced Garnet. It was a nice little 86-89-point wine for years. In the 2012, dark burgundy nose, slightly closed, but aeration opened it up to blackberry, smoked meat, vanillin, cherry jam and Eastern spice. On the palate, black fruit, more spice and smooth tannins with appropriate acid levels to clean up the finish, 92 plus 2 price points. A lot of PN for the money. Don’t confuse with the Sonoma Coast or Carneros labels.

Two others of great value but at higher price points with my notes are Red Car Estate PN 2012, 93 points. Pale garnet, raspberry, floral, and herb nose. Raspberry/citrus palate with fruit, very smooth reluctant tannin with lovely, long, clean, smooth finish. Buy under $60. Then there’s Zepaltas Nunes Vineyards Russian River PN 2011 rated 92 by Tanzer. My notes: Bright ruby, smoky, rosemary, black cherry, cola and coconut. Elegant palate with blackberry and cherry riding appropriate tannin, fruit and acid frame through a long, clean finish, 91, 2 price points under $45. Needs at least a year in storage. Aerate a few hours if you can’t wait.

Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva 2010 was rated 92 by IWC’s Josh Raynolds. I tried it. Very dark ruby, nearly black. Cherry, berries, lavender, coffee and game aromas combine with cherry, raspberry and spice flavors riding a mineral/tannin balanced frame through a lovely clean finish. Drink now through 2020. Points - 93 when bought under $24.

Mayacamas Merlot 2008 from the Mt. Veeder region of Napa was dark ruby purple had aromas of black cherry and dust. On the palate cherries, dried sage and black tea framed with integrated tannins and proper acid. Drinking well now through 2020 but under $31, 91 points.

Oakville East Exposure Cabs 2010 are better than the 2008 and 2009 I have written up favorably. A bit pricey at $85-$90, they are 21 percent Cab Franc. Fruit nose mostly closed; the flavors are pronounced black currant, cherry preserves, dark chocolate and hard tannins. This 2010 needs five years but has the profile to tell me it will match the quality of the 2005s.

Suckling wrote 95. Galloni rated it 90. Gary’s had it on sale for $31. I say a solid 93 points. The 2007 La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is dark ruby with red cherry, minerals and flower bouquet aromas. Crisp with red- and black-currant flavors, firm tannins and a stout mineral frame.

Big-buck Barolo buckaroos, the 2010 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia will be at least as good as the 1989. Dark color with a mixed bouquet of prune, cherries and sweet fruit highlighted by sandalwood, tobacco, roses and crushed stone. On the palate, more cherry, ripe tannin and enough acidity. A powerful wine that is very raw but shows the potential for greatness. Needs at least nine years until ready. Out of my range at $250. For big bucks, my choice would be the 2007 at $150 and ready to go in two years.

While at this event, I considered the plight of charities, municipalities, schools and other needy groups if the booze industry turned its collective backs on them.

Few will doubt the booze industry occasionally supplies folks who have little self-control with alcohol. It is equally obvious to most that prohibition hasn’t resolved damage done by this situation. It is also clear that the arrest mechanisms, judicial remedies and punitive side have done little to resolve the problematic drinkers and their recidivism. One could argue drunken driving laws have morphed into a large fundraiser for the state and various agencies that leech from the failed remedial system, with very little remediation of the problem they were put in place to correct.