Working At The High Museum Wine Auction...And Tasting Some Kickin' Wines!

This year, I had the opportunity to work with the lovely folks at the High Museum and help with wine logistics for their wine auction. It was an interesting event, with lots of moving parts and I learned a lot from the experience. It's quite different from the events I've worked at before when working for the large (unnamed) winery in CA that employed me for four years, and it gave me a feel for a segment of the Atlanta market.

Before I list my "Top Highlights" I do want to posit one quick thought regarding the event. Although I do like California wine, I was disappointed with the lack of representation in the tastings from international wineries, or wineries outside of California for that matter.

I have heard that the High requires winemaker participation, and that limits the ability of European, Aussie, Kiwi, and other winemakers to participate. In terms of exposure or providing a full wine experience, I guess that as a wine lover I would have felt a little cheated had I gone as a patron. But that may just be me... although I'm hoping it's not. For my part, I sought out the International wines and as many as I could find outside of Cali -- there's only so much big Cab a girl can take.

1. 2006 Cos d'Estournel. This wine is considered some of the best Bordeaux in the world. It was luscious, earthy, firm, and rich and the most delicious wine I've ever tasted. Yes, it's $100 a bottle, but YES it's worth it. I'm blessed to have tried it.

2. 2006 Château Lynch-Bages. There was a ranking system of Chateau in Bordeaux in 1855. Cos d'Estournel was in the second tier, Lynch-Bages was in the fifth. Nevertheless, this wine was wonderful and had a floral, earthy, firm quality that I would happily drink, even for the $95.

3. 2007 Pride Mountain Merlot. I really don't like the way California does Merlot. Only two exceptions to this rule. Duckhorn, who didn't show for this party, and Pride Mountain, which I simply adore. Elegant yet bold, I just love this wine. It's what Merlot should be.

4. Relic's 2008 Ritual "Rhône" blend. As I told the sweet winemaker (really nice dude, Mike Hirby), this is an AMAZING wine -- herbs, brawn, and animal-barnyard reined. Damn. It's awesome. Strangely I would not call this a Rhône-style blend even though it has Mourvedre, Grenache, and Syrah -- the classic Rhône grapes. This is so different from a Rhône wine, although absolutely gorgeous in its own rite. At $50, it would be on the list to bring when I'm heading to a fellow wine dork's house, but I put it on. Why? Because they only make between 100 and 300 cases of each of their wines, so you have a better chance of seeing a jackelope run across the road than finding one of these in your wine shop.

5. Jim Clenenden of Au Bon Climat actually kind of yelled at me when I suggested his Chardonnay tasted like a Meursault from Burgundy (which is also 100% Chardonnay. And it does, BTW AND it's good). He correctly argued that only Meursault can taste like Meursault and told me about the 50 trips he's taken there to prove his point. Yeah, he's eccentric and a little brash, but I loved his passion. And ultimately he's right...there's only one Meursault. It's nice to see respect for the motherland of Chardonnay.

6. I love finding new stuff. My wine goddess friend Melissa told me to head over to try Oregon's Torii Mor Pinot Noir. The absolutely WONDERFUL, sweet, knowledgeable, and down-to-earth Margie Olson (owner/founder) was pouring and busy speaking to a patron. I stepped next to her while waiting and tried a competitor from Oregon. When I tried her Pinots, which were the same price, I nearly dropped my glass. This was so much better! Serious Pinot -- complex, yet fresh, and intoxicatingly aromatic. What a wine. Try it. Their base tier is $25 and it's delicious.

7. Also discovered Morlet Cabernet Sauvignon. Luc Morlet is a French winemaker who has worked in Bordeaux and Burgundy. He's got great respect for the vineyards and grapes and does low-intervention winemaking (he doesn't tinker that much!). And can you ever taste it in the Cœur de Vallée Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend! This is a gorgeous wine and may be the best Napa Cabernet I have ever had. From Oakville, this $175 (!) wine is a showstopper, with the ripeness of a California Cabernet, without all the over-oaked intervention. Love this wine and I highly recommend it if you have the coin.

So ends the tour of my tasting at the High Museum. It's great to go to expos like this to learn more about brands you may not have known, and to talk to winemakers and find out if they are really as described or figments of the wine marketers' imaginations (I've pulled that trick out before...).

In the next few weeks I'll review the Pride and the Torii Mor, so look out for more detail coming your way!