Grenache & Zinfandel at Akdeniz

Please join me for dinner at Akdeniz, a favorite Turkish restaurant in Midtown West, located at 43 W. 46th Street, between 5th and 6th Aves.

For this dinner I thought I would try two high octane wines...2 Grenache wines and 2 Zinfandel wines. Plus a white wine starter, of course.

Here is a link to Akdeniz' menu

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

The cost of this event is $46 and is for the wines and corkage. You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and appetizer ). There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a low corkage.

NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. MEETUP+ members are exempt from this charge.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.

Lastly: NO DRINKING AND DRIVING

The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):

2023 Two Vintners Grenache Blanc Yakima Valley ($25) - Eric Guido for Vinous, 90 points, "The 2023 Grenache Blanc opens with a delicate blend of wet stones, nuances of ginger and minty herbs. This is silken in feel, nearly oily yet lifted with stunning acidity and crisp orchard fruits cascading throughout. It leaves a saline tension and hints of spice, tapering off long and potent with a lemony concentration that slowly fades. (Drink between 2024-2028)"

2011 The Farm Winery Touchy-Feely ($65) - From Paso Robles, CA and owned and produced by one of my Fraternity Brothers. A blend of 81% Grenache and 19% Syrah. Vinous 92 points, "Ruby-red. Spice-accented cherry and raspberry scents are complicated by suggestions of lavender, woodsmoke and minerals. Juicy red fruit flavors show very good depth and are braced by zesty acidity, with floral pastille and anise aromas that gain power with air. Finishes on a spicy note, with impressive, red fruit- and floral-driven persistence and rounded tannins that add shape and gentle grip."

2021 Lagier Meredith Tribidrag ($60) - CT 92.2. WS 94 points, "A vivacious and distinctive red, this offers subtle intensity and a silky texture, with expressive huckleberry, licorice and green peppercorn flavors that gather richness toward big but polished tannins. Zinfandel. Drink now through 2031. 175 cases made. (drink 2024-2031)" NOTE: Once this is gone, it is gone forever as this Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder winery has closed its doors!

2022 Ridge 50th Anniversary Lytton Springs ($52) - CT 91.8, WA 94 points, "The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar."

2023 Outpost Grenache ($75) - JD and WA 94 points, here is WA's review, "There are just 1.2 acres of Grenache planted at Outpost, but it is a benchmark for the variety in Napa. Made with all whole clusters in an open-top tank and matured exclusively in used oak, the 2023 Grenache screams of varietal character, offering up pretty notions of peppery spice, strawberries and cherries, plus some floral, even tea-like notes. It's full-bodied, silky and expansive on the palate and long and vibrant on the finish. (drink 2025-2035)"