MNSC dinner - Pineapple virgin

MNSC dinner at JW's California. Theme was wines that Pineapple has never had.

1996 Vinoce - a blend of 50% cab franc plus merlot and cab sauvignon. Color was a bit light, with nose of coconut, vanilla, and caramel.

1997 Clos Mimi Syrah - wow! The color was really dark, almost ink like. Nose was very jammy and sweet, with blackcurrant. Palate was very sweet and juicy, while tannins were pretty heavy. Gayliao remarked it was the sweetest dry red wine he's ever had. It's like alcoholic Ribena, only better. Both Dr. Poon and I really liked this wine.

1998 Vérité La Joie - very tannic. Nose not very open and smelled of wet rags. Finish was short. Not ready.

1997 Montallegro Cabernet Sauvignon - pretty tannic wine also, but this nose was very fragrant, with lots of jammy sweetness. A bit sharp. Pretty good.

Oliver Caldwell (presumably Cabernet Sauvignon, vintage unclear) - nose was very much peppery, with white pepper, Sichuan peppercorn. Palate was a bit acidic but also balanced by good sweetness in the nose.

1996 Three Rivers Shiraz - this was the one Parker gave 100 points to. Highlight of the evening. Nose smelled of shoe polish and plastic, a bit of chalk. After opening up red fruits came out, plus a bit of glycerin. Pretty disappointing given we spent USD 500 to bid on this wine.