Continuing the theme of trying to conduct business as usual online, I attended my first virtual wine tasting this evening.  How in the world do you taste wine online?  Why, via webex or zoom, of course, with the wines delivered to your house.  It was a beautiful evening, so I set up my tasting table on the back patio, and logged in.

The first wine, presented by Rebecca Banks, Wine Director at Balthazar in NYC, was a 2016 Bordeaux blend from Mary Taylor Wine. Mary Taylor is an American wine importer, who works with small independent winemakers in wine regions in France and Spain. This Bordeaux Rouge is created by Jean Marc Barthez, the president of a small cooperative in Monsegur, a 13th Century town laying between the branches of the Gironde and Dordogne, in an area far from the glitz and glamor of the First Growth Bordeaux.

This is an everyday-drinking, entry-level Bordeaux, made from 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Cabernet Franc, mostly organically grown. 12.5% abv. Unlike most red Bordeaux wines, there is no oak used in the aging process of this wine, only stainless steel, allowing the acidity and minerality to shine through. Blackberries, plum, forest floor, and graphite aromas on the nose continue through the palate, with bright acidity and an elegant finish. This well-balanced wine would pair perfectly with grilled vegetables, duck breast, marbled steaks, or nothing at all. 2016 is considered young by Bordeaux standards, but this wine was created to be drunk now, not stored. $18 at Super Buy Rite in West Deptford.

The second wine, presented by Andrea Billick, Fine Wine Buyer at Super Buy Rite in West Deptford, was a 2010 Bodega Olarra Cerro Añon Gran Reserva from Rioja. You may remember that I recently wrote about the Cerro Añon Crianza while looking for a value Rioja that tasted much more expensive than it actually was. The Cerro Añon Crianza (aged in oak barrels one year) fit that bill nicely, but for only a few dollars more, you could take home their Gran Reserva, a wine aged in oak barrels for at least two years and in the bottle for at least three more years. 2010 was an excellent vintage in Rioja.

The wine is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano, and 5% Grenache, sourced from their vineyards in Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. The wine was aged for 27 months in a mix of old and new French and American barrels, and then in the bottle for another 45 months. Aromas on the nose of cedar box, dried cherries, coconut, and leather, are joined by an earthiness and some coffee notes on the palate. The tannins are definitely present, but smooth, with a long finish.  13.5% abv.  Decanter rated it 96 points. A steal at about $25.

During the wine tasting, two of my neighbors walking their dogs attempted to speak to me, but understood my hand signals pointing to my phone and ear buds soon enough. After the wine tasting was over, I sent them a text to bring a glass over if they wanted to try some. We had another round (at a proper social distance, of course) overlooking the lake. Another first in quarantine complete.

Cheers to outdoor dining re-opening June 15th!