Equestrian (?) Wine

We live in a very friendly neighborhood, filled with great people, kids of all ages, and a few wine lovers. On a regular basis, the wine lovers, along with some special guests (usually beer drinkers) get together for  fun, informal tastings along with a great meal. Everyone chips in to make it easy on the host, which in for this gathering was me. My job was to make sure there were enough wine glasses for all of the guests.

During a recent tasting, the dinner menu featured filet mignon from our local favorite butcher with an assortment of salads and sides provided by our fellow wine tasters. 

During hors d'oeuvres we enjoyed several lighter white wines including:

• 2005 Château Carbonnieux Blanc, a White Bordeaux (Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon). Dry, with complex, buttery flavors due to bottle age.
• 2005 Fernand & Laurent Pillot Chassagne Montrachet Vide Bourse, a White Burgundy (Chardonnay). Golden color. Mellow citrus flavors. Mild oak.
• 2005 Kesselstatt Spatlese (Riesling). Aromas of sweet petrol. Very complex fruit flavors, with well rounded sweetness.

These wines were refreshing and primed us just enough before dinner. As we were enjoying our perfectly prepared filets (compliments of the men at the party), we moved to our dinner wines, starting with a 2009 Dunham Trutina, a Washington Cabernet/Merlot blend. It is described as having new world aromas of licorice and vanilla oak with plush flavors matching the aromas. We also enjoyed a 2005 Realm Cabernet Beckstoffer to Kalon and a 2005 Gorman Evil Twin (Washington Syrah/Cabernet blend).

But one wine really stood out: the  2003 Château Smith Haut Lafitte (Bordeaux Cabernet/Merlot blend)—that really got the folks talking! It has been described by others as having earthy aromas with hints of tobacco, blackberries and pencil shavings. Yet the first reaction one of the guest had, after noting the "dirt" smell, was that it tasted like a horse's rear end! Hmm... does not sound terribly appealing, but yet is quite accurate. There WAS a subtle barnyard or "equestrian" flavor that was strangely addicting.  Needless to say, it was the wine that made the night.

Need an Equestrian Decanter to go with your equestrian wine? Visit SimplyLoveWine.com.