Nouveau Riche?

Now that I've recovered from my travels to Europe and have decided to drop NaNoWriMo, I can get back to blogging. Yay!

Just in case you missed it, the 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau was released last Thursday. We and several other oenophiles celebrated with a release party at JavaMonkey. In spite of some slight snags like a cask that was 2 years old (hint: this is not a wine that ages well, especially not in a cask that's not designed to keep it for that long), the party was a lot of fun, and there were even berets for all who wanted them.

Oh, and the Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau is actually drinkable this year! That's always a plus. However, I'm still mystified by the $15.79 price tag I saw on it at Publix yesterday. Sherlock's had it much more reasonably, and Decatur Package Store will have it at $10.99 starting tomorrow (Monday, November 24). I know this because Herb told me so. He'll also have the others that were poured at the praty.

Some of the very drinkable wines from the evening included the 2007 Regnie Flower Label, which I had when I arrived just after spending two hours in traffic, so I have no notes, and the Morgon Jean Descombes, which everyone agreed was all raspberry and delicious. I didn't get to try the white Jess was pouring, the 2006 Macon-Villages, Domaine Lenoir, but all those who had it said it was excellent.

Since I have a lot of catching up to do over the past month, I'll give you the highlights.

First, here are some wines from the Sherlock's tasting on November 8, "Staff Picks." I like the "Staff Picks" tastings because they often give insight into the people who picked them.

2006 L&L Pinot Noir:
Oooooh, smooooooth... This wine said "strawberries," and I said, "hell, yeah!" Paul seems like a quiet guy, but I now see him in a whole new light.
Rating: Very Good

2007 Quattro Mani Montepulciano:
Michael is from California, but he betrays his Southern roots here with this blackberry pie in a glass. "Yummy and fruity" were my comments.
Rating: Excellent

2005 Bogle Phantom:
I think that Daryl was playing "secret agent man" here with this spicy wine with dark fruit that was easy-going but also bold.
Rating: Very Good

I do have a couple of complaints. First, one person picked the same wine for this "staff picks" tasting as the last one. Uh huh. I won't mention who, but seriously, that's cheating, especially since the wine isn't that great. Also, Ann's pick, the 2005 Niner Sangiovese ran out before I could taste it. Admittedly, I arrived toward the latter part of the tasting, but still... I think someone may have made sure it was okay for public consumption. A few times.

Well, folks, it's past midnight, and I do have to work tomorrow even though I work for myself now. I will return later this week to give you a run-down of the interesting discoveries Hubby and I made in Orlando. Here's a hint: there's more down there than just the Mouse.