It was my second year at the Brooks Uncorked (Memphis, TN) event on Friday, April 11th. The wine tasting and auction is one of a five part annual event titled "The Art of Tasting." I scored the tickets through a good friend who works in wine sales.

As I entered, I stayed clear from the crowd around what I later found to be the Treana table. Neeedless to say, they ran out early. Treana is always a solid purchase, $35. It is usually a blend featuring Syrah. The other wines included the newer Matchbook products, I especially enjoyed their Syrah; it was rich, dark, and peppery. It is definitely worth the $25. I saw another favorite of mine, Cycles Syrah from the Central Coast. This Syrah is structured easy-drinking if you have not enjoyed this wine yet. No need for food here, just a similar love for Syrah. Please pick it up, the price is right at about $12. I love how bigger grape varietals still retain body when inexpensive, unlike a cheap and fruity Merlot maybe. I also went back to the Au Bon Climat table a few times. I ended up buying a couple of bottles. It helped that our local liquor store giant, Buster's, offered 15% off all bottles they carried. But going back to the fabulous Pinot Noirs, I purchased the 2006 Santa Barbera by the "layed back" Jim Clendenon. However, all of ABC's wines are exceptional. The subtle differences of each would be great to experience side-by-side one day, like a terroir tasting. Maybe then I could pick out a favorite. I also got to experience, for the first time, the Green Lion wines. The Cabernet was good, but the Merlot was the star being well balanced with tons of dark purple fruit and solid oak. Most interesting was the colorful artwork on the bottle itself. It was rumored that night and later confirmed that the same artist designed covers for two Beatles albums, Sgt. Pepper and Revolver. They must have a lot of hippies still left in California. But seriously, once you see the label you will notice the similarities. The other standout for me would be the Ghost Pines wines sold by my friend, so I am a little biased. Again I thought it was a case where this Napa Merlot outshined the Cabernet.

For the auction, all of the procedes went to support the Brooks Museum. Some friends we invited began bidding on various bottles and artwork that looked of interest; I jumped right in. We started off slow, just checking out the selection, but the rush quickly took hold of us. Soon we were all running around trying to get in our last bids and lost a Cabernet package in the last 5 seconds. Auctions are fun! We ended up winning the 1980 Sterling Napa Reserve Cabernet to be drank soon at the new East Memphis phenom Interim Restaurant which has great food and also has family ties to me.

Other fun notes include the whole roasted pigs. I will say that the food this year was better than what I remembered from last year. Although, if I do recall correctly, it was Wally Joe's first event at his new home, the Brushmark in the Brooks. Ironically, the eponymous restaurant he had to leave is the current site of the new Interim that I just referred too. All in all the experience was wonderful and exciting. I would suggest anyone go to more wine tastings, like the ones put on at Salsa next door to Great Wines. Gary Burhop does a great job and you can get on an email list updating you on wine dinners and small allocations; but I digress. In conclusion, wine is great, and definitely subjective, so never be afraid to drink more to find out what you like.

Julie Davis,
Memphis,Tn