Here at Sokolin, our tasting panel samples hundreds of wines monthly and thousands annually to weed out the wines that just don't meet our expectations. During these frequent tastings we are also looking to uncover those hidden gems that are inexpensive but still taste like the best wines in the world. The panel must vote unanimously in favor or else we don't sell it - this is how rigorous our process is which is why we are so confident in our inventory and also why we can confidently offer our satisfaction guarantee (details available in our full Terms and Conditions in our Policy section at www.sokolin.com).
But our staff is much larger than our tasting panel which is why, on special occasions, we put together a full company tasting for the entire organization from sales and marketing to accounting, IT and even our warehouse team. Much of these are blind tastings which are fun and educational for all. Last week, in celebration of the unofficial launch of summer, we decided to blind taste 4 wines to the full staff.
To accompany the tasting, we ordered a delightful selection of light fare from Citarella, Bridgehampton and a "world tour" of delicious cheeses from igourmet.com. The food was great but the wines - all four - really deserved the spotlight.
We started with a crisp white and regular favorite of our tasting panel. At first sip some thought it was maybe a Puligny but this wine quickly built in the glass so that the weight and complexities became evident after a minute or two and clearly displayed characteristics of Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne.
Sokolin Tasting Notes: Pale yellow in color with amazing citrus qualities and minerality, great mouth feel. Tropical aromas and coconut on the palate are complemented by notes of marzipan with refreshing acidity. Drinking great now and will continue for another 6 - 9 years. A delicious wine and great value in Grand Cru white Burgundy.
Wine #1: 2006 Bonneau Du Martray Corton Charlemagne
Sokolin Panel Score: 94
$85/btl
The next three wines were all reds from various regions around the world. The second wine in the line-up deceived much of the staff. This was mainly because it was younger than it looked and was showing really well which was unexpected considering the vintage and region (2006 Brunello di Montalcino)!. The assumption for this type of wine is that it must age many years before it can be enjoyed. Not always the case, this wine provided a great surprise for all of us!
Sokolin Tasting Notes: Light red with an amber hue, bright cherry, fresh acidity and baking spices complement this medium bodied wine. Up and coming producer to look out for! Wine builds in the glass and adds weight and complexity over time. Can be enjoyed now but will age flawlessly as well. Take a case for your cellar and enjoy over the next decade.
Wine #2: 2006 Stella di Campalto Brunello di Montalcino
Sokolin Panel Score: 97
$99/btl
Wine number three, the second red in the tasting, was distinctively new world. And most of the group guessed correctly that it was a Napa Cab or Cab blend as well as the vintage. This was a real crowd pleaser as it was showing better than any previous tasting.
Sokolin Tasting Notes: Dark ruby in color, sweet and bright dark fruits and vanilla. Supple black cherry flavors are in perfect balance with the delicate tannin structure. Throw a steak on the grill and enjoy this bottle with friends.
Wine #3: 2007 Dominus Napanook Vineyard
Sokolin Panel Score: 93
$44.99/btl
The final red and last wine in this company-wide blind tasting really blew our socks off. A few of us had tasted this blind in a recent dinner and it was showing just as incredibly on this day as it had a few months earlier. There was no mistaking the region. On the nose it had that deep, earthy aroma that is so tell tale of Bordeaux and the amber-edged hue said this clearly had some age on it. The perfect balance and hint of tannins made some people think this was a first growth. That's not the first time this has happened with this wine in a blind tasting. Perhaps the best part about this wine is that for a 15 year-old Bordeaux that's so delicious, and with so many more years ahead of it, the price is insanely low. Another reason why this is easily a staff favorite.
Sokolin Tasting Notes: Dark ruby core with slightly lighter rim that shows its age, plummy fruit. Leads to darker fruit, graphite, earthy aromas and truffles. Drinks great now and has another decade or two ahead of it.
Wine #4: 1996 Grand Puy Lacoste
Sokolin Panel Score: 97
$135/btl