futsukayoi... an Iberico-Argentine wine lunch

It's a mini-tradition for A., W., and myself to hit up Smith & Wollensky's "National Wine Week" lunches - never spectacular wines, but the pours are never modest, and we always have a good time. So now The Capital Grille is getting in on the act, for the next 6 weeks. Until August 2, it's 12 Spanish and Argentine wines for $10 with a weekday lunch, and then from August 3 - 23, 11 South African and Napa wines. Plus, with 2 out of 3 Mrs. being vegetarian, there's no excuse for missing a meatfest. If only W. hadn't moved to Seattle... will be good to have him back.

N.V. Marques de Gelida Cava - it's a decent, inexpensive cava. Nice acidity, light, juicy but dry. No toast.

2008 Shaya Verdejo - very sauvignon blanc like, without the cat piss, but the grassy notes on the nose started to put me off. The label didn't say "Rueda Verdejo", so there may well be some S.B. in it. But then again, Verdejo can be s.b.-ish all on it's own too, no?

2008 Tilia Torrontes - I initially liked this quite a bit, petrichor on the nose, a surprising amount of clay and umami on the palate. However, there was a sort milled spice (like a combo of cumin and coriander) which I enjoyed at first but that got too strong as the wine warmed up.

2007 Catena Chardonnay - oaked but not overtly so, but really just plain boring. I kept tasting this to see if there was something there, but there wasn't.

2007 Atteca Old Vine Garnacha - a little bit smokey/earthy/savoury nose, and a very nice amount of pop to it, brightness, fruit, medium bodied. Not terribly complex but really a pretty pleasant wine from Catalayud.

2006 Juan Gil Monastrell - very modern international style wine, creamy, jammy. Nothing to be excited about, but for a large party, the majority of folks would enjoy this.

2007 Catena Malbec - surprisingly similar to the previous wine. That's not good. Buy whichever one is cheaper.

At this point, our waiter, L., informed us that we would not get new wines unless we finished what was on the table. Dangerous instructions. A. was polishing stuff off at alarming rate, while my more measured pace (and clear offense to the white wines in front of me) resulted in "wuss" taunts. From the waiter. Mark yourselves, gents, mark yourselves.

2005 Allende Rioja - much lighter and approachable than the 2004, which was a tannic monster a while back. I've been meaning to try that again actually, this will probably give me the push. About $18 or so?

L's quips kept rolling, you had to be there, but it was flaming and funny. Turns out L. wasn't much of wine drinker... no, it's vodka and Jaegermeister for him. We'd been talking about bitters, so L. came round with shots of the huntsman for us, gratis. As if we needed more. Onward!

L. must have had a brain cramp, because now... now is when he rolled out the 2008 Vega Sindoa Rosé. Not sure my palate was up for this at this point, but it was bright, fresh, juicy, and reasonably dry.

2007 Volver Tempranillo - Frères, venez vite, je buvant bois. "Brothers, come quickly, I'm drinking lumber." Fruity, thick, and oh so much oak.

But what's this? A., propping up his head? Who's the wuss now? Meanwhile, V., having prepared to marathon and not sprint, powers ahead. Not just powers ahead, is pulling energy from his faltering opponent and puts in a solid push.

2006 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon - This didn't strike me one way or the other.

2006 Alma Negra - a Bonarda Malbec blend. Biggish... modern style. Don't remember much else.

A. was reeling... seeing this, I knew it was time for the knockout. I asked for the drinks menu and selected his ultimate nemesis... grappa... he lurched... left... right... hanging onto earth like grim death... so we pushed ourselves outside, and waited to be fetched.

Good times! We're heading back on August 7th, reservations made.