Wines, 3rd Thursday Tasting, June 17, 2010 Royal Chenin 2009 “Old Vines Steen,” Riebeek Cellars. Swartland, South Africa Lively, refreshing, dry white made from 100% Chenin Blanc, the most planted varietal in South Africa.  Crisp red apple aromas and complex apple flavors. Long finish with a tasty, tangy acidity. Very versatile for food matches. Grilled pork chops with grilled apple slices and caramelized Vidalia onions.   Chardonnay 2008, William Hill. Central Coast, California A terrific Chardonnay reminiscent of that wildly popular Calif style of "yester year." (This is the wine some of you have been looking for--and it's very well-made & very affordable.) Tropical nose, with pear, oak and vanilla hints.  Clean and soft on the palate with a buttery finish and some mineral complexity. Crab cakes. Roast chicken. Fish fillets with avocado & lemon butter. Syrah Rosé 2009, Beauvignac Cave de Pomérols. Languedoc, France Beautiful dry rosé.  A perfect “chill it & beat the heat” wine.”  Strawberry and plum aromas, followed by soft, fresh strawberry and raspberry flavors. Good concentration and balance with a refreshing finish. Carolina BBQ, most anything grilled, salads, picnics.   Plume Bleue (Grenache/Syrah) 2007, Vin de Pays d'Oc. Languedoc, France “Blue Feather” is an unoaked 50/50 Grenache/Syrah blend made by an outstanding winemaker. Lots of plum, cherry, and dark berry aromas and flavors with hints of pepper and smoke. Enjoy with hearty salads, pizza, grilled meats, or charcuterie. Dis Tinto 2008, Bodegas Enguero. Valencia, Spain A lively, attractive 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Syrah. Very deep ruby, nearly opaque. Aromas of dark red berries. Flavors of blackberries, black olive, and black pepper with silky tannins. Lingering finish. Nice complexity. A beauty. Broiled lamb chops.  Grilled burgers with blue cheese.  Grilled chicken with Kalamata tampenade. “The Immortal Zin” O.V. Zin 2008, Peirano Estate. Lodi, California An extraordinary Zin from one of our favorite producers and also a remarkable value! The grapes come from 113 yr old head-trained vines in Lodi. An abundant array of aromas and flavors: plum, black raspberry, black cherry, cocoa. Nice complexity, lots of depth. Truly a “Zin lover’s Zin”, a wine for great food, good friends and conversation. Grilled steaks, game. Robust cheeses.  Dark Chocolate.     Cheers,  Wine World Taste through the wines at your own pace. We are pleased to talk with you about the wines.