RFN # 13, pub. 5/30/09

The Riggs Fulmer Newsletter
No. 13
May 29, 2009

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Retailers and restaurants set pricing; think of the prices below as very educated guesswork- restaurant prices will likely be around double those listed.

Short and sweet, this week, friends, short and sweet. I haven’t been to any full tastings in a minute or so, and have been dealing with some roommate-finding issues over this way… and I know you don’t want an entire Newsletter full of my ramblings… Once prolix, now terse, we forge on:

The one event I did attend was the UEFA Champions League Final, held (shown) at Agency Sports Guild, a toney little spot just across the street from PGE Park. It was a festive day in general; the Beavers were playing to what sounded like a Jonas Brothers crowd (I think it was Take Your Middle-Schooler To The Game day or something), the sun was high, and I was ready not only to see Messi versus Ronaldo- having read no less than two articles on the tilt, I am now a socc.. ahem, futbol expert- but also to taste some delicious wines from Scott Paul. Hosted by Mr. Wright of the aforementioned winery and Michael Alberty of Storyteller Wines, it was a heck of a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Scott was pouring a mini-vertical of Audrey Pinot Noir, and Michael had brought some regionally-appropriate wines (it was a pro-Barça crowd, definitively), to wit:

2004 Scott Paul Audrey Pinot Noir
The nose was expansive, a big, piercing blast of boysenberry and raspberries, round and pure, underset by a waft of blueberry skins and forest floor. On the palate it was soft and silky, with roasty dark cherry flavors coiling together on the clean finish.

2005 Audrey
The bouquet was all starry, sanguine wild cherries, with a soft hit of green peppercorns. In the mouth it was leaner than the ’04, lithe and poised, with greater lift. Sweet strawberries and cherries abound, and the finish is hung with silky tannins. Almost mamages to be thirst-quenching!

2006 Audrey
This was the one I ended up drinking the most of- although that’s as likely because everyone else downed the 2005 as anything else… No, to quote Bill Maher, I kid, I kid, for the 2006 was maybe my favorite. The nose was a riot of sexy, enticing mossy black cherry. In the mouth it preened like kirsch liqueur, with wonderfully sunny, bright acidity and wonderful length.

…and before we go I need to announce tomorrow's upcoming Beer Tasting…

HEATER-ALLEN TASTING, SAT, 5/30, at STORYTELLER WINES
12-5 PM 5511-B SW Hood, PDX
www.storytellerwine.com
www.heaterallen.com

And I quote, “This Saturday, May 30th we will be tasting all the new Heater-Allen batches at Storyteller. Noon to 5PM. 2009 IsarWeizen, Mediator Doppelbock, Pils, Schwartz and more! No charge. Not even for you, Riggs. Alert the Maltoids and hopheads!”
Now, I’m not sure what a maltoid is- wait, those are those curiously strong English mints, right?- or why I should be expected to pay a stiff fee to attend, but I can assure you that I will make the time to stop in there and taste these beers. Brewed out in wine country, they are the finest German-style beers in the state. Hell, if you throw Berkeley’s Trumer Pils out, they’re the best I’ve had from anywhere other than Deutschland.
Be there! It’s gonna be blazing hot anyway, perfect for lager!

All right, friends, into the Purple World go I! Happy Weekend, and kudos to those of you who managed to make it out to go tasting last weekend. A dear friend described it as “absolute perfection.” Sorry I missed it!

--
Riggs Fulmer
Wine. Words. Music.

Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.
-Aristophanes