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Tasting Notes Printer-Friendly Version
- June, 2007
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007 WT062707-01. 06 GRAVE DEL FRIULI PINOT GRIGIO, VILLA PUCCINI - (ITALY) Crisp, appley, bright, alert. Flowers and minerals accents. With air, big, lush, and creamy pinot grigio generosity comes on../ Fresh and charming. Apple and mineral notes and good acidity coupled with a nice pinot grigio creaminess. Will fill out further over the coming months. A bargain for a Grave del Friuli. 16.0+ WT062707-02. 06 RIAS BAIXAS ALBARINO, CONDES DE ALBAREI - (SPAIN) From Galicia, in well-watered northwest Spain. Fresh. Clear and subtle tropical airs of the albarino varietal, lightly imparted. Also quince, citrus, pear, and flowers. Refreshing. Not a bit heavy./ Good richness behind fabulous, juicy, mouthwatering acidity. My first 06 Albarino. Nice counterplay of albarino’s light viscosity and astringency. 16.4+. WT062707-03. 04 SAINT VERAN, DOMAINE DE LA CROIX SENAILLET - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Dense, smoky, spicy. Fat, ripe, sassy, and delightful yellow fruits. Enticing, over the top pear and stone fruit aromas plus well integrated oak./ Bright and tangy, with smoky, leesy barrel extras. Would be a treat at the table right now. 16.3. WT062707-04. 05 CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE OLD MISSION PENINSULA DRY GEWURZTRAMINER half liter - (U.S.) Oh! Thick with rosewater, glycerine, cold cream, lychee, pomade, bay, tonic. Power and richness of Alsace gewurz. (13.5%)./ Yes the wonderful Alsace counterplay of glycerol and bitterness. Fabulous. The real deal. Best MI gewurz after Peninsula Cellars Manigold. 17.2. Well liked by the group. WT062707-05. 06 COLUMBIA CREST TWO VINES COLUMBIA VALLEY RIESLING - (U.S.) Wow! Lovely apricot perfume. Very cool apricot: apricot sorbet. Herb tea and flowers highlights./ Sweet, soft, round, easy. Exemplary riesling flavor set. Plenty to offer. Good value. 16.0. WT062707-06. 06 ERBACHER MARCOBRUNN RIESLING KABINETT, VON SIMMERN - (GERMANY) Very crisp-edged, piquant, uplifting; showing citrus, stone, plenty of dry extract./ Juicy citricity. Great acidity. Lively, sleek, penetrating, alluring. Rich stone fruit nectar. Fine balance of roundness, and acidity. Kabinett dryness, spatlese intensity. Lively, tasty, demonstrative. And there’s so much more to come. 17.3+. WT062707-07. 06 RIOJA ROSADO, BODEGAS MUGA - (SPAIN) Rich and powerful but also crisp and juicy. A lot of presence, a lot of spiel. Cherry blossom, strawberry, and citrus peel./ Yes, full yet juicy too. Great power (13.5%) gives presence and mouthfilling attributes. Dry, assertive, serious. Will back away from few foods. 16.8. Well liked by the group. WT062707-08. 05 BOURGOGNE ROUGE, BOUCHARD AINE - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Whoa! Fabulous cherry and tea purity of perfect Burgundy pinot noir fruit. Superb fruit quality and beauty of 05. Perfect fruit composition: bright, polished, seamless, delightful. You’d have to be an idiot to blow this vintage, the fruit Mother Nature delivered was so fine./ Gorgeous fruit, perfectly composed, with richness, focus, fine acidity, and great beauty. Nicely burnished terroir statement that sets Bourgogne apart from New World pinots. No doubt the best Bourgogne rouge this negociant has released. 17.0. WT062707-09. 05 BOURGOGNE ROUGE, BOUCHARD PERE - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Much different. The immediate joys of the former are suppressed for the sake of development potential. Richer, thicker, more concentrated. Blackberry and oak spices. Shows some time in barrel./ Grip here. Acid, tannin, astringency. A firm, sturdy Bourgogne. Not nearly the current appeal of the Aine, but the fuller and more complex wine down the road. 16.6+. Most of the group favored the Pere. WT062707-10. 03 CHATEAU HAUT RIAN, 1ERES COTES DE BORDEAUX - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Black fruits galore, charming, expressive, ripe, and generous. Nice 03 dried fruit, warmth, and soft, roasted herbs./ Palate echoes nose. Some tannin remains, but the wine is soft enough to enjoy. 15.8. WT062707-11. 03 GORDON BROTHERS KAMIAK CELLAR SELECT COLUMBIA VALLEY CABERNET-MERLOT - (U.S.) Oaky but not overwhelmingly so. Plenty of presence, black fruits, especially black cherry, dark chocolate, good ripeness and fruit maturity. Lush, sweet, meaty aspect./ Oak, spices, more sweetmeats. Plenty of aromatic interest and good structure. Some tannins still, but overall this is a pretty, delightful drink. 16.0. WT062707-12. 05 CHIANTI COLLI SENESI, GEOGRAFICO - (ITALY) 90% sangiovese, 10% canaiolo. Light and lively. Spicy, peppery. Sweet and dried fruit. Plum and tobacco. CCS warmth./ Medium bodied. Somewhat introverted yet (just shipped), but shows good potential for fruit richness and density once it’s settled down. Good acidity, verve. Give it a few weeks, and you’ll have a good value on your hands. 15.6+. WT062707-13. 06 CALATAYUD GARNACHA DE FUEGO OLD VINES, BODEGAS ZABRIN - (SPAIN) Fresh and boisterous. Juicy, zesty grenache presentation with plenty to offer. Red and black fruits, smoked meats and other animal nuances. Simultaneously polished and rustic. Plenty to offer here./ Plump and juicy. Peppery and vigorous. Fine, vibrant fruit acidity. Lots of flair. And tannins to boot. Great value. 15.8+. WT062707-14. 05 BOXHEAD SE AUSTRALIA SHIRAZ-CABERNET - (AUSTRALIA) 74% shiraz, 26% cabernet. Big, dense, solid. Lots of heavy-duty shiraz. Some wood extras./ Shiraz sweet berry essence. Straightforward. 15.0. WT062707-15. 05 RUTHERGLEN ESTATES RUTHERGLEN RED - (AUSTRALIA) 85% shiraz, 15% petite sirah. Rutherglen’s sweet take on shiraz. Nice and pure red fruit of this estate. Black fruit too, especially plum, and flowers. Firm core./ Sweet Victoria fruit. Good acidity to balance. Some smoky oak extras. Light tannin to give. 15.8+. WT062707-16. 04 EDNA VALLEY VINEYARDS PARAGON VINEYARD CENTRAL COAST SYRAH - (U.S.) Stylish berry aroma with floral highlights. Cool cranberry fruit and light oak nuances./ Oak is more prominent on the palate, carried by ripe, soft fruit. Discreet floral overtones. 15.3. WT062707-17. 05 CLINE ANCIENT VINES CALIFORNIA ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Juicy raspberry and cranberry, with light pepper, black licorice, tea, spice, nut, and oak nuances./ Dramatic, complex, vigorous. Sweet fruit and a ripe-fruit nuttiness. Smooth aftertaste. This has come a long way since we tasted it right after release last year. 05 is a vintage that calls for some patience. The reds are not immediately demonstrative like the 04s. 16.3. WT062707-18. 04 FOLIE A DEUX AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Ripe, open, roasted, powerful, muscular, sweet. Vanilla, nuts, blackberry, cracked pepper. Good, firm center./ Rich, ripe black raspberry and sweet oak spices. Nicely proportioned. Despite its bombastic approach, there’s a sense of reserve and a measure of elegance behind the facade. 16.2+.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
WT062007-01. 06 RUEDA IPSUM, HERMANOS DEL VILLAR - (SPAIN) Verdejo, viura. Very vibrant, perky verdelho bitter citrus and viura lushness. Bright and lively floral highlights./ Ripe, round texture plus tangy fruit acidity. Rich, fresh, juicy berry and citrus. Dry, unctuous, lots of uplift. Fully as fine and satisfying as the 05. Will offer additional richness and range in the months ahead. 16.0+. WT062007-02. 05 MOUNT EDEN WOLFF VINEYARD EDNA VALLEY CHARDONNAY - (U.S.) Deep and rich, and showing all the extra attractions of barrel fermentation, malolactic, lees stirring, and barrel aging. Yet the original fruit aromas and extracts have plenty to say too./ Classic California chardonnay: lovely, fat fruit, well integrated oak, generous, creamy texture. Lush, full blooded, deep, saturated, powerful. 16.2. WT062007-03. 05 PINOT BLANC, THE FURST - (FRANCE ALSACE) From the cooperative at Kientzheim.. Sweet and floral, mellow, cushy. Hints of orange and loquat. Suspect some auxerrois here. A lot of personality for a pinot blanc./ Yes, soft and mellow, dense and rich. Mild acidity, but alcohol replaces acidity for balance. Pear, melon, cream, and subtle tropics. Fine effort. Very appealing. 16.8. Well liked by the group. WT062007-04. 05 RIESLING, THE FURST - (FRANCE ALSACE) Dry and full. Apple, melon, peach, and mango aromas. Fruity, not flowery./ Full presence of alcohol and glycerol. Good flavor intensity but not a lot of flavor exotica. Sticks to apple and leaves out tropics and flowers. Dry, vivid, racy, full. Very good dinner riesling. A classic Alsace riesling, really. 16.5. Well liked by the group. WT062007-05. 05 GEWURZTRAMINER, THE FURST - (FRANCE ALSACE) Viscous, waxy, pomaded. Rose, cold cream, lychee, and bay-laurel. Big scaled, dramatic./ Thick with glycerol, but not too thick. Good power, and, again, not too much. Balanced, and finely stated. Fine structure and depth. Full, well textured, lasting. A treat. 17.3. Well liked by the group. WT062007-06. 06 COTES DE GASCOGNE HARMONIE DE GASCOGNE ROSE, DOMAINE DE PELLEHAUT - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Famille Beraut @Montreal de Gers. Cabernet, merlot, syrah, tannat. Sweet cherry-berry-orange gummy candies. And gumdrop spiciness. Soft, tender, giving. Well crafted and very appealing./ Assorted flavors of Mason Dots. A lovely, lithe, vivid pink wine with soft red fruits and racy acidity. A crown achievement rose with
mainly Bordeaux varieties. 16.4. Well liked by the group. WT062007-07. 05 CHIANTI CLASSICO, QUERCETO - (ITALY) Oh! Nice, sweet, dark cherry aroma with zesty peel and pit extras. Vintage richness, ripeness, and warmth. Lovely concentration, balance, weight./ Yes, a lovely, classic, northern CC mid-weight with good dry extract and tannin. Plentiful fruit and peels flavors. Cherries Jubilee, dark chocolate. Good acidity. Very long aftertaste. Appealing now, and also has a promising
future, which is rare in this price range. 16.6+. Well liked by the group. WT062007-08. 05 CAMPO DE BORJA JOVEN, ARAGONIA - (SPAIN) 50% grenache, 20% each tempranillo and syrah, 10% cabernet. And 110% ripe. I mean, roti even. Good sweet grenache with the ‘dark’ fruit support of the other varietals. Plenty of power and presence./ And viscosity. Sweet, ripe dark fruit and roti ‘singed’ fruit character. Port-like richness, ripeness, chewiness, power. 15.7. WT062007-09. 04 GALLO FAMILY RESERVE SONOMA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Sweet Sonoma cabernet fruit with light oak. Big and gutsy, ripe, heady, smoky. Toffee, red and black berries, pencil box, and warm spices./ The palate adds cherry and lots of oak vanilla, caramel, and sweet oak spices. Lively acidity, creamy ripe-fruit texture. 16.2. Enjoyed by the Calif-philes. WT062007-10. 05 MCMANIS FAMILY RIVER JUNCTION PETITE SIRAH - (U.S.) Very fresh fruit and American oak airs. Sweet, very dark fruit, like cranberry, and a hint of bitters. Dark chocolate and prunes in armagnac. Quite strong./ Sweet and inviting on the palate with a suggestion of cocoa butter. Long and flavorful, with nice oak savor. Surprising tannin. Ambitious; built to last. 16.3+. WT062007-11. 06 PFALZ SAINT M RIESLING, CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE - DR. LOOSEN - (GERMANY) Fresh, peachy, nutty, grainy. Real Pfalz riesling. Cool, stylish, fragrant, piquant. Pfalz by a winemaker from the Mosel. Good, crisp, Mosel-like acid edge and good Pfalz power. Generous in fruit./ Off dry, balanced, Pfalz riesling presentation. Soft, rich, and flavorful. Lovely, perky, citrus edge to the finish. 16.3+. WT062007-12. 05 MUNSTERER DAUTENPFLANZER RIESLING SPATLESE, KURGER-RUMPF - (GERMANY) Reductive winemaking gives extract and mineral saturation. Shows some of the softness and richer soils of the lower Nahe too. Stony, tangy, smoky, solid, cool, resolved, restrained. Stone fruit, citrus peel, melon./ Intense and spatlese sweet, with good acid brace and fine balance. Vibrantly racy. Dramatic strength and structure classic
to 05. Long and flavorful. 17.1+. Wednesday, June 13, 2007
WT061307-01. 05 MUSCADET DE SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE, DOMAINE TROIS FRERES - (FRANCE LOIRE) Full, vinous, rich, and voluminous. Bright and ripe. Macon like./ Full and strong, dense rich-textured, but plenty juicy. Good acid piquance, nervosity. Dry and stony finish. Chardonnay like constitution. House style? I like their chardonnay! 16.0. WT061307-02. 06 BEAU MAYNE, BORDEAUX SAUVIGNON - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Zingy gooseberry and canned grapefruit juice. Citrus, cat, capsicum./ Bright, crunchy, pungent. Very juicy, tangy. Good price. 16.2. WT061307-03. 06 CHATEAU SUAU, BORDEAUX BLANC - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Full, with plenty of semillon oomph. Nice, clean semillon too–no earth, no funk. Apple and wax. Melon, tropics, nectarine, floral essences. Sleek and alluring, lush and suave, fat and generous./ Rich and smooth semillon with fine-tuned acid race too, so nicely balanced. Lots of scented tropical fruits, especially papaya. Touch of mango. Bright, tangy,
fetching. Rich and weighty, but not without grace. Great mouth feel. Distinctive, large, powerful, lasting. 16.4+. WT061307-04. 06 FERRARI-CARANO SONOMA FUME BLANC - (U.S.) Very full and heady. Sweet pineapple, peach, and honey, grass and pear./ Rich peach-honey palate. Touches of oak vanillin and caramel. Fruit sweetness balanced by good acidity. The always lovely, reliable, seductive F-C Fume style. 16.5. WT061307-05. 06 RUEDA VERDEJO, BODEGAS NAIA - (SPAIN) Alert, penetrating, strong but cool. Full, lush, ripe, exotic, fragrant. Grass and orange pulp and peel. Viscous./ Plump, ripe, creamy. Sassy wild fruits. Smooth, full, thick with glycerol, which is nicely cut by acid. Bright, racy, lime-laced. Refreshing astringency at the finale. A big, rangy verdejo experience. Calls for pork. 16.5. WT061307-06. 05 CHABLIS, ROLAND LAVANTUREUX - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Wow! Apple, cream, chalk. Seasoned barrels. Body, class, balance. Ripe core fruit of 05; plenty of Chablis pungence./ Wow! Aromatic apple. Light oak? Young, solid structured, plenty of Chablis race, and the usual Lavantureux class. Smooth and fat 05, with strength and good acid cut to balance. 17.0+. WT061307-07. 05 CHABLIS VIEILLES VIGNES DOMAINE ST. CLAIRE, JEAN-MARIE BROCARD - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Nuttier, warmer, fuller. More oak in evidence. Wood toast. Plenty of depth to the aroma; 3-dimensional./ Yes, toasty, nutty, grainy oak. Full old vines fruit heft and concentration matches the oak component. Deep-penetrating, focused. Complex, balanced, well textured, stately, long. 17.4. WT061307-08. 05 BEAU MAYNE , BORDEAUX ROUGE - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Merlot, cabernet sauvignon. Wow! Big, forceful surge, concentration, and purity of 05 quality fruit. Black fruit, tar, licorice, tobacco, tea./ Ripe enough, with good peel extracts for texture and keeping qualities. Great acidity too. Balanced. Good body. Plenty to offer. Delightful claret. 05 scores again. 16.1. WT061307-09. 05 COUSINO-MACUL MAIPO VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (CHILE) Wow! Pure cabernet black currant and blackberry, with typical Cousino tobacco and leather./ Yes, the cabernet black fruit set and brett–cowhide, barnyard. Not dekk–horsehide, stable. Fine depth. The usual good stuff here. 16.2. WT061307-10. 05 CUEVA DE LAS MANOS RESERVE LUJAN DE CUYO CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (ARGENTINA) Sexy potpourri of oak aromas with sweet black fruit support. Large-scaled and ambitious./ Rich and full. Flavors not only confirm aromas but present them magnified. Oak and fruit well matched. Fine tannin, acid, grip, balance. Lots of range, depth, material. Fully accomplished. Worth the premium. 16.8. WT061307-11. 05 CUEVA DE LAS MANOS RESERVE LUJAN DE CUYO MALBEC - (ARGENTINA) Oh, yes! Intense black cherry with subtle spicy oak nuances and some floral notes in the background. Intense indeed./ Rich, sweet fruit and subtle oak seasonings. Good power, acidity, light tannin. Sweet, creamy, stylish, charming, generous. 16.6. WT061307-12. 05 SANGIOVESE DI ROMAGNA SUPERIORE, VILLA PAMPINII - (ITALY) Ripe and dried cherry and plum fruit with Romagna sweetness, tenderness, forgiveness. Spiced fruit, orange peel, tobacco, and sandalwood extras. Delightful aromatic composition./ Smooth, medium bodied, nimble, and classic to the DOC. Light acid gives lift and levity. Accommodating. What I look for in an SdR. 16.1. WT061307-13. 05 MCMANIS FAMILY RIVER JUNCTION SYRAH - (U.S.) Wow! Intense American oak aromatics of the positive sort. Sweet, dark, cranberry fruit. Surges forth from the glass./ On the palate too, a fireworks display of sweet (vanilla, chocolate) oak and fruit flavors. Show wine, with the usual great McManis acidity to give it a welcome edge. Singular syrah. 15.8. WT061307-14. 05 MUSCAT CUVEE ENGEL, DOMAINE FERNAND ENGEL - (FRANCE ALSACE) @Rorschwihr. Whoa! Perfumed, pomaded. Some aromas in common with gewurz, but goes way beyond these in its muscat range. Sweet and powerful scents. Flowers, peach, orange and peel. Total muscat. Must incorporate both petits grains and ottonel varieties./ Dry, intense, full bodied, ample, well structured. Also a nice, delicate, powdery openness
and relief that adds a lithe, graceful, stylish dimension. Very long, well stated aftertaste featuring a complex range of muscat flavors. 17.0. WT061307-15. 05 DURKHEIMER STEINBERG MUSKATELLER KABINETT TROCKEN, KURT DARTING - (GERMANY) Wow! Fresh lime and grain aromas of Pfalz gelbermuskateller. Lift, coolness, briskness. Tonic, barbershop, and spring flower bouquet./ Dry, cool, crisp. Body, grip, extract. Very long and flavorful. And useful. 17.4. WT061307-16. 05 KINHEIMER ROSENBERG EULENLAY RIESLING AUSLESE, JACOBY-MATHES - (GERMANY) Sweet, honeyed, nutty, lemony, lifted, subtle, noble. Quince, peach, mango, passion fruit, sweet pea./ Sweet and concentrated. Racy, juicy, focused, pure, complex. Fine depth. Lovely, elegant subtleties of Kinheimer. Sweet but discreet. 18.3+. WT061307-17. 05 DURKHEIMER NONNENGARTEN RIESLANER AUSLESE, KURT DARTING - (GERMANY) Powerful, thick, limey rieslaner classic. Cool and ventilating. Honey, apricot, and botrytis extras./ Oh! Thick and loaded. Big, powerful, and immediate flavor impact. Total. Has BA concentration and power. Huge auslese, one of the best in a great series. 19.0+.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
WT060607-01. 05 CHATEAU HAUT RIAN, BORDEAUX BLANC - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Shy fruit. Firm, pippy citrus and apple. Cool smell of spring water./ Modest flavor intensity. Brisk, racy, tart, cleansing. Needs seafood. 15.2. WT060607-02. 03 RULLY BLANC, PAUL JACQUESON - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Big, strong, rich, plump, and generous. Voluminous, really. Ripe, warm 03 with good bouquet development accenting grains./ Full and grainy like a Meursault. Very nice oak component. Lively fruit acidity. Powerful, ripe, and generous in the 03 mode. Long, giving aftertaste. 17.2. WT060607-03. 04 OC CABERNET SAUVIGNON SOLEIL, FREDERIC ROGER - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Stern, tough cabernet peels extracts./ Solid build of cabernet Some red fruit flavor and sweetness offers forgiveness. Nice and spicy aftertaste. 14.5. WT060607-04. 03 CHATEAU GUIRAUD CHEVAL BLANC, COTES DE BOURG - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Very ripe and powerful. Like brandied morello cherries. Open and powerful. Lots of substance./ Animal, leather, and ripe, baked 03 fruit. Very long in both flavor and texture. 03 ripeness and generosity all the way. Good to go. 16.0. WT060607-05. 04 ESTATE BACCALA NAPA VALLEY MERLOT - (U.S.) Sweet and mellow fruit, lightly wooded and spicy. Not much merlot character, nor Napa elegance or stature. On the warm side for Napa, but then it’s 04, a ripe year./ More wood and warm spices on the palate, and some wood tannin. Vanilla, coconut, dill, incense. Big mouthful, with alcohol showing. Can’t deny the generosity despite its lack of background identity.
16.1. WT060607-06. 04 ESTATE BACCALA NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) More grip and peel and darkness as you’d expect from cabernet vs merlot. Similar style besides that. Cabernet currant aroma./ Rich and well structured. More fruit and form to balance the oak on the palate vs the merlot, where the oak gets a little much in the mouth. Powerful too. Will reward some aging to loosen its grip. 16.0+. WT060607-07. 05 TOSCANA REMOLE, FRESCOBALDI - (ITALY) 85% sangiovese, 15% cabernet sauvignon. Some reduction to start. Solid, perky, saturated dark fruit./ Palate less confined, as is often the case. Plenty of dense, sprawling, plush, pillowy fruit material. Soft, ripe tannins. Fine depth. Long and flavorful. Will reward 1-2 years’ aging. 15.8+. WT060607-08. 05 TOSCANA TUTTOBENE, ANGELINI - (ITALY) Firm, well built, and ambitious for its price. Nicely packed in black fruits with tobacco nuances. This has class and reserve./ Yes, young, well structured, and surely refined. Good acidity. Composed, stylish, finely textured. Love its poise, serious demeanor, and potential. 16.1+. WT060607-09. 03 BARBARESCO, MICHELE CHIARLO - (ITALY) Warm, ripe, sweet, roasted fruit of 03. Aromas of cherry, pencil box, and Cavendish. Much more open knit and expressive than the 01 at the same stage./ Big and dense; tons of extract. Ripe fruit and sexy oak spices. Sweet but racy. Good acidity and tannin. Rich and seductive. Has the rangy, complex, spicy allure of the 01, with less structure and more richness. In
tune with
the different vintage styles. 17.2+. WT060607-10. 04 MATCHBOOK BLOCKHOUSE DUNNIGAN HILLS RED - (U.S.) By J. L. Giguiere. 57% syrah, 29% tempranillo, 7% malbec, 7% petit verdot. Sappy black fruits. Varietal characters homogenized for the good of the whole./ Soft oak vanilla and warm spices. Sweetish. Alcoholic. Thick but soft tannins. Adequate acidity. 15.3. WT060607-11. 04 MATCHBOOK DUNNIGAN HILLS SYRAH - (U.S.) By J. L. Giguiere. Black-fruited and firm. Some black cherry. And blueberry jam./ Rich. Good, ripe black fruit of syrah. Good balance of fruit acidity and sweetness. No oak to speak of. Fruity, racy, stylish, attractive. 15.6. WT060607-12. 05 LONGUICHER MAXIMINER HERRENBERG RIESLING AUSLESE, CARL SCHMITT-WAGNER - (GERMANY) Big, and loaded with extract. Sweet apricot fruit. Floral extras. Thorough auslese, powerful and seductive./ Yes, full rich and sweet. Good acid support. Long and textured, satiny and luxuriant. Voluminous. Lots to give and plenty in reserve. 17.8+. WT060607-13. 05 THORNICHER RITSCH RIESLING AUSLESE, CARL LOEWEN - (GERMANY) Aromatically contrasting. Fresh, cool, pear-like nose. Loads of extract and texture. Palpable smell–etches the nostrils. Stately, authoritative./ Wow! Huge volume and depth of flavor. Thick, rich, powerful, dramatic, racy, deep, and focused. Great sweetness, acidity, texture, zesty, vibrancy, cling. Excellent structure, superb length. Has it
all. Almost
spoonable. Total auslese. Will last forever. 18.4+. WT060607-14. SANTO VINO, VILLA PUCCINI half liter - (ITALY) Nuts, dried fruits, sweets, toffee, coffee, vanilla, carrot cake. Rich nose indeed./ Wide-ranging flavors. Tastes of aromatic grape varieties and some vermouth-like botanicals too. Sweet and unique. Why Santo Vino? Are there actually non-grape additives that deny it the name Vin Santo? 16.4. |
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