To say that the atmosphere of the Pillars at New River Sound in Fort Lauderdale was magical on Tuesday evening sounds a bit silly but it's true. In part the magic is the result of clever, conscious choices on the part of the owners who have made this boutique small hotel the quality to be included among the members of the Luxury Small Hotels of the World (SLH). The other part of the magic is the unexpected surprise of having this gem of tranquil sophistication twinkling on a quiet, broad expanse of the Intracoastal Waterway just a few blocks from the raucous goings-on of the Elbo Room and the beachfront. And maybe the wine had something to do with it.
The evening's event was a blind tasting, a "Barossa vs. Rhone Showdown". We were guests of our friend Terry Jacome of Yachting magazine and our work schedules were such that we arrived late and the event was only to run for an hour and a half. Our concern at not being able to catch up with the ten wines offered for tasting turned out to be unfounded. Not only did we catch up with our fellow tasters, but the tasting kept pouring until everyone was able to make their choices.The ten wines poured in the November 10, 2009 tasting at The Pillars at New River Sound:
Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2007, Yalumba "Y Series" Viognier 2008, Earthworks Shiraz 2007, Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2007, Yalumba "Bushvine" Grenache 2007, Saint Cosme Gigondas 2007, Patrick Lesec Chateauneuf du Pape Bargeton 2005, Yalumba "Hand Picked" MGS 2006, Yalumba "Patchwork" Shiraz 2007, Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2005.
Upon tasting the Yalumba "Patchwork" Shiraz 2007, Terry declared that "this is a wine no one would complain about." And I agreed: it was a friendly wine that would be suitable to most occasions (even occasions where one would be obligated to invite complainers). On the other hand there was the Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2007, my favorite (along with Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2005) which was a very substantial wine, practically a meal in itself. Not to be a philistine or anything but this is a wine that could hold its own with with a few ice cubes thrown in on a hot day. Conversely, it would make a warming apres ski treat, an immediate precursor to a nap by the fire. The first wine poured, the Guigal Cotes Du Rhone Blanc 2007 was another wine that could be poured without worry. It would be smart to have a few bottles on hand as a pleasant lunch wine.
Wine was poured poolside and a selection of warm and chilled hors d'oeuvres were passed. We milled about the area and walked down to the quiet waterside. Other than one water taxi, there was no boat traffic. The place was so peaceful, calm, and cool that it was difficult to remember the hectic heat of the boat show the previous week.
Post by Tracy Datlen
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