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Tasting Notes Printer-Friendly Version
- July, 2005 |
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Wednesday, July 27, 2005 wt072705-01. 04
MANTINIA MOSCHOFILERO, BOUTARI - (GREECE)
Light and lively. Fresh melon, flowers, orange, lemon, papaya, peach,
passion fruit, kumquat, minerals, spices. Wow! Does that read ‘complex’?/
Demonstrative on the palate too. Sweet, aromatic fruits, refreshing
acidity, crisp finish. For light summer fare. 15.7. wt072705-02. 04
HANNA SLUSSER ROAD RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC - (U.S.) Fresh, bright aromas of grass, gooseberry, melon,
lime, and musk./ Cool and clear. Good acidity–citrusy. Russian River
Valley style and class. Lively, racy, crisp, refreshing. Good fullness
of body. 16.0. wt072705-03. 03
SICILIA FICILIGNO, BAGLIO DI PIANETTO
- (ITALY) Good, penetrating, uplifting lime-peel pungency. Tactile
as well as aromatic./ Mild 03 acid gives less verve on the palate
than the nose promises. The palate lacks the vitality, personality,
and generosity needed to earn this ambitious price. Attractive wine
regardless. 15.6. wt072705-04. 03
CHABLIS, DOMAINE LOUIS MOREAU - (FRANCE
BURGUNDY) Very chalky, flinty, crisp, and classic. Dusty calcaire
feel. Transparent Chablis chardonnay./ 03 ripe and soft, but the
calcaire supplies coolness, cut, and texture. And balance. Good
03 village wine. 16.2. wt072705-05. 03
VIRE-CLESSE, CHANSON - (FRANCE BURGUNDY)
Ambitious. Ripe fruit and plenty of good oak seasonings. French-oak
toast and subtle grains. Chardonnay apple./ Full, strong 03 style,
with good acidity to balance. Nice oak vanilla flavor. Big changes
at Chanson since the Bollinger takeover. In the past, not even their
Meursaults were this bold. 16.4. wt072705-06. 03
ARGYLE WILLAMETTE VALLEY CHARDONNAY -
(U.S.) Light oak. Northern freshness and coolness. Apple, pear,
and orange aromas. Generous for Oregon chardonnay./ Full, lush,
frosted, creamy, and generous indeed. Rich oak and ripe fruit. Good
acidity. Good flavor development. Take to the table before the year’s
out. 15.8. wt072705-07. 04
EVANS & TATE MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
- (AUSTRALIA) Fresh, heady aromas of sweet citrus, apple, melon,
and oak. Aussie garrulous and forthright./ Rich, ripe, and nicely
Margaret River cool. Good acidity. Lots of oak toast and caramel
with ample fruit to balance. Great depth. Nice craftsmanship. Better
than the Spectator 92-rated 2003. 16.3. wt072705-08. 03
BEAUNE CLOS DES VIGNES FRANCHES 1ER CRU, VINCENT GIRARDIN - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Wow! The usual wide spectrum of aromas
and tactile sensations from a Vignes Franches. Good toasty oak too.
One powerful Beaune: full-textured, deep, broad fruit and terroir
range of black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, black fig, and smoked
meat./ Beaune’s richness and generosity, and much, much more. Just
loaded with complexes of flavors and textures. Big-structured. Transcends
mere Beaune. The complete Vignes Franches package. 17.5+. wt072705-09. 03
POMMARD LES VIGNOTS, VINCENT GIRARDIN
- (FRANCE BURGUNDY) One ripe, fat Pommard in 03. Lots of peel extract.
Meaty, gamy, dark, ripe 03 powerhouse. Burly, towering, intimidating./
Flavors of cherry and spices. Dense, deep, assertive. A big mouthful
of chewy material. Full tannin and extract. Has the mass and stature
expected of Pommard. This is real Pommard. 17.3++. wt072705-10. 03
VOSNE ROMANEE VIEILLES VIGNES, VINCENT GIRARDIN
- (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Purple Vosne plum, flowers, and Asian-spice
exotica. Real Vosne. 03 ripe and powerful, deep and rich, but also
controlled, measured, even elegant. Both the fruit and the oak./
Good clarity and purity of Vosne. Vosne’s fine lines, fine bones.
Nice oak vanilla. Fine-grained tannin. The most stylish and sophisticated
of the three Girardins this evening. 17.6+. wt072705-11. 02
SICILIA RAMIONE, BAGLIO DI PIANETTO -
(ITALY) Good, full ruby color./ Ripe, roasted fruit. Complex and
accomplished. Toast and pie-crust aromas and fine fruit fulfillment.
Cassis and fennel nuances. Singular, expressive, dark, and demanding.
No 02 weaknesses here, but, then, we’ve found 02 to do well in the
south time after time./ Dark, roasted cherry, berry, and plum flavors.
Delicious fruit, oak, body, acidity. Full textured. Loaded. 16.8. wt072705-12. 03
TAMARI RESERVA MENDOZA MALBEC - (ARGENTINA)
Wow! Powerful and liqueur-like in strength in concentration. Fine
oak and spirit. Toast and bitter chocolate. Totally macerated dark
Hungarian cherries./ Palate explodes with aromatic intensity and
textural breadth. Rich balance of oak and fruit. Fine flavor range.
Lovely composition. A measuring rod for Argentine malbec. 16.4. wt072705-13. 04
CHARLES CIMICKY THE TRUMPS BAROSSA SHIRAZ
- (AUSTRALIA) Wow! Fresh and black and cool. Syrah black raspberry
and bacon. The 04 Barossas are looking good so far! 02 freshness
and restraint, and the fruit is very bright as well as rich. Good
American oak vanilla. Dark plum and peel. The vanilla vein runs
deep. Toast too./ Yes! Vanilla-frosted sugar-plums and ripe berries.
A delicious conception. Just the right measure of acidity. 16.8. wt072705-14. 04
RUDESHEIMER DRACHENSTEIN DRAGONSTONE RIESLING, JOSEPH LEITZ - (GERMANY) Special. Mineral, stone, lime, apricot. Crisp
and pure, stony Rheingau style of riesling and very much in the
cool braces of 04 too./ Fine Leitz sweetness complemented by racy,
nervy 04 acidity. Walks the balance bar between sweetness and acidity
without a misstep. Both plump and tangy. Great composition. Runs
deep and delicious. Lip-smackin’ good! 16.8. wt072705-15. 03
CHATEAU DES CEDRES CUVEE PRESTIGE, CADILLAC
- (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Big nose of pineapple, coconut cream, vanilla
frosting, lemon-lime, honey, botrytis. Completely ripe and accomplished,
with great fruit freshness and acidity too. Perfectly poised./ Wow!
Thick, with total 03 sweetness, savor, power, and extract. Loaded
for bear! 17.6+. wt072705-16. 03
CHATEAU MEMOIRES, CADILLAC - (FRANCE BORDEAUX)
Very, very thick. Very honeyed. Pollen, pineapple, apricot, mandarin
orange, syrup. Lovely, high-toned, striking. Fabulous promise./
Not just sweetness; also power and acidity. Cool citrus and pineapple.
Huge potential. What a vintage! 17.9+. wt072705-17. 99
CHATEAU LA CROIX BOUEY, CADILLAC - (FRANCE
BORDEAUX) Not so lush as the 03s. Racier. Clearly more mature. Nut,
honey, spirit, light botrytis, citrus and peel./ Ripe and taking
on attractive flavors of nuts and grains as it matures. 99 race
and stylishness. Creamy, toasty, liquoreuse. More development to
go. 16.2+. wt072705-18. BOONES
FARM AMERICAN ORIGINAL MANGO GROVE - (FRUIT)
Real fruit character and pulpy richness. Very attractive and accurate
nose./ A bit light and fluid, in part due to very low alcohol. Good
fruit juiciness. The most successful of the new generation of Boones.
15.5. wt072705-19. 00
RIOJA CRIANZA GLORIOSO, BODEGAS PALACIOS
- (SPAIN) Compared to the 01, this is more mature, mellower, milder
in acidity. Roasted fruits and firm oak. Good to drink now. Less
vitality and potential than the 01. Good though. 15.8. wt072705-20. 01
CHATEAU DES MOINES, MONTAGNE ST. EMILION
- (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Rich and ripe fruit nose for 01. Big, and well
extracted claret. Black fruits and olives. The vintage’s cool currant
and licorice snap comes out with air./ Rich and full and chewy on
the palate. Plenty ripe enough to satisfy this 01 detractor. Good
01 acidity too. Solid, confident, finely tannic.Tres claret. Good
value for a Montagne these days. 15.9. wt072705-21. 03
HERMAN STORY LARNER VINEYARD SANTA YNEZ VALLEY GRENACHE - (U.S.) Ripe strawberry, strawberry jam, flowers, anise,
pepper, peels, alcohol, and sachet./ Ripe, ripe; roti even. A mouthful
of fruit sweetness coating the considerable alcohol. Good acidity
here. Huge material. The stuff that rings Parker’s chimes. In fact,
it already has. As a result, it’s already sold out. 17.0. wt072705-22. 03
HERMAN STORY LARNER VINEYARD SANTA YNEZ VALLEY SYRAH - (U.S.) Cool, elegant flowers, herbs, mint, and alcohol.
Very cooling nose./ Lovely syrah lavender, cool spiciness like Old
Spice. Ventilating. A delight. 16.8+.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005 wt072005-01. 04
RUEDA, LAS BRISAS, BODEGAS NAIA - (SPAIN)
Wow! Ultra fresh, crisp, alert. Ripe-region sauvignon blanc character.
Is there sauvignon here? Yes, plus verdejo and viura. Piquant grass,
grapefruit, and quince aromas./ Crisp and very racy fruit acidity.
Yow! Zingy, brisk, juicy. Lively, tangy, refreshing. Alluring. 16.0. wt072005-02. 04
PENEDES BLANC DE PACS, PARAS BALTA - (SPAIN)
46% parallada, 31% xarello, 23% macabeo - Fresh, fragrant, tonic,
musky, unique./ Very vigorous feel and flavor, with a tonic-water,
lime oil, and ginger-ale sort of nip. Unique indeed. 15.4. wt072005-03. 01
RIAS BAIXAS, SANTIAGO RUIZ - (SPAIN) albarino,
loureizo, treixadora - Mature, tawny, autumnal aromas of grain and
straw./ Has lost all its originality. No sense of place or varietals.
Subdued and mature, dried fruits, nuts, and grains. Good acidity.
Likely acceptable at the table, but faceless. Not the first dry
white wine to take this turn with aging. 13.0. wt072005-04. 04
PICPOUL DE PINET, CAVE DE VIGNERONS DE MONTAGNAC - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Wow! Cool green citrus and melon
aromas. Lots of aromatic character and intensity for picpoul. Rich.
Citrus peel cut. Fresh and piquant./ Very racy. Great flavor, acidity,
cleansing cut. 15.8. wt072005-05. 04
PENEDES ROSE DE PACS, PARAS BALTA - (SPAIN)
cabernet sauvignon, merlot - Bright, fresh red berry-cherry aromas.
Nice./ Lightly sweetish. Mild acidity. Palate confirms claret fruit
flavors. And adds strawberry and watermelon. Good depth, ease, and
refreshment. Attractive. 15.5.. wt072005-06. 04
COTES DE PROVENCE ROSE CUVEE LOU CASAI, CHATEAU FERRY LACOMBE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Tart and astringent, brisk and
bracing, very cool and penetrating. Aromas of cherry and strawberry.
And flowers. Classic./ Brisk and vigorous. Full and strong, but
cooled by good acidity. Almost a labrusca-like fruit intensity.
Fine depth and structure. 16.0. wt072005-07. 02
PENEDES MAS PETIT, PARAS BALTA - (SPAIN)
86% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot - Ripe and strong. Polished.
A little reduced still; dense and compact. With air, aromas of cherry,
cassis, sandalwood, and pipe tobacco emerge. Cool, deep, plummy./
Astringent red grape peels. 02 tartness. High strung. May be better
served cool. And with food. 15.2. wt072005-08. 02
PENEDES MAS ELENA, PARAS BALTA - (SPAIN)
48% cabernet sauvignon, 42$ merlot, 10% cabernet franc - Some wood
aging shows here. More sophisticated, more accomplished. Deep claret
fruit and peels. Sweet currant and blackberry aromas./ A claret-like
presentation. From a cool vintage. Like an 01 Right Banker. Fine
tannin. Well enough crafted. 16.2. wt072005-09. 02
ST. FRANCIS SONOMA RED - (U.S.) merlot,
zinfandel, grenache, sangiovese - Woodsy, leathery black fruits.
Definite sangiovese aspects. A blockbuster with power, hodge-podge
of fruit flavors, lots of American oak./ Ripe, oaky, and structured.
Touch of mint. Plenty of American oak coconut. A big red stressing
generosity over finesse. Aussie like. The oak is a bit too broad
and dominant for a warm summer’s eve. 15.3. wt072005-10. 03
COTES DU RHONE, DOMAINE ST. GAYAN - (FRANCE
MEDITERRANEAN) Opens with a spruce-like ventilating aspect. Lots
of dry matter extracted from grape peels and possibly barrel interiors.
Big, powerful, fully-packed Gigondas style of roasted, not jammy,
fruit./ The palate shows some grace notes: fine berry fruit and
garrigue nuances. Lots of juice, lots of meat. Power and vigor.
One big, big Cotes du Rhone with lots of generosity and entertainment
value for now and later. 16.4+. wt072005-11. 03
GUARDIAN PEAK WESTERN CAPE SHIRAZ - (SOUTH
AFRICA) Cool, fresh raspberry syrah aroma. The quality of the fruit
in this great Cape red-wine vintage really speaks out here. Full.
Meat and leather adjuncts./ Very bright, ripe berry flavor. Great
berry taste–just lovely red fruit this vintage. Some Cape-red saddle
lather too, but the surge of fruit overwhelms it here. And great
acidity. 15.7. wt072005-12. CHIANG
RAI LA SANTE THAILAND LYCHEE WINE - (THAILAND)
Ripe lychee fruit and an air of reduction./ Good acidity. But the
fruit character is not strong; rather dull and muddled. Gewurztraminer,
it ain’t. 13.5. Nonetheless, our East Asian scholar was pleased
with this, stating that it expressed lychee much more thoroughly
than lychee wines he’s tasted in the past. wt072005-13. 01
CHATEAU PEYBRUN CUVEE COLOMBE, CADILLAC half liter - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) vieille a fut de chene - Young, with
a thick cake frosting aroma of thorough 01 intensity, and a good
measure of oak vanilla and brown spices. Also honey, tropics, botrytis.
Powerful. Loaded. Epic 01 stuff./ Pineapple, citrus, and oak flavors.
Big and strong. Thick, rich, and liquoreuse, with piercing acid
foil–01 all the way. The oak has not married with the fruit entirely.
When it does, it should add a nice, complex range of nuances. I
can see where this wine is going, and I like that. It’s a waste
to drink it now though. 17.0++. wt072005-14. 98
CHATEAU DE BERBEC, CADILLAC - (FRANCE
BORDEAUX) Now this is more mature! Honey, old honey, baked pineapple
and pear in syrup. Some bouquet development. Really powerful, ripe,
generous. In fact, complete./ A 98 classic; has that vintage’s dark-fruit
qualities. Canned peaches and apricots. Runs way deep. 17.1. Wednesday, July 13, 2005 wt071305-01. CREMANT
D’ALSACE BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT, LUCIEN ALBRECHT
- (SPARKLING) Wow! Full bottle bouquet. Toast, biscuit, yeast autolysis.
Big, bombastic, generous. Also refined, classy, elegant./ Again.
Really brioche like. I’d guess Champagne on the basis of aroma and
flavor. But it’s softer, naturally. Solid pinot blanc fruit basis.
Nice value. 16.4. wt071305-02. 04
KUNDE SONOMA VALLEY CHARDONNAY - (U.S.)
Fresh fruit and already well-integrated oak. Sweet spices, toast,
and vanilla. Citrus and peel. Apple. Crisp, lively, striking. Good
now./ Suave, smooth, and expressive of vanilla, ripe grain, and
warm spices. Yes, very agreeable, harmonious, handsome, accomplished–surprisingly
so at this tender age. Fine depth of character. Child prodigy. Commendable
winemaking. 16.1. wt071305-03. 03
RIESLING, PIERRE SPARR - (FRANCE ALSACE)
Fragrant, tonic, cool. Bay, laurel, barbershop. Lemon and lime peels./
Flowers and tonic, and good ripe yellow fruits too (apple, peach).
Very cool; great cut for 03. Traditional Alsace styling. 16.0. wt071305-04. 03
PINOT GRIS RESERVE, PIERRE SPARR - (FRANCE
ALSACE) Apple, melon, wax, nut Alsace pinot gris class. Fullness,
fatness, and density of 03 and reserve./ Pinot gris thickness, but
not over the top in 03, as it could have been. Controlled, traditional
Alsace winemaking. Good acidity and light astringency. 16.1+. wt071305-05. 03
TAVEL, CHATEAU D’AQUERIA - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN)
Grenache, syrah, cinsaut, clairette - Rich, ripe 03 style. Developing
bouquet; at a logical stage for the vintage. Full of red-grape peel
glories./ Good astringency and peel vigor. The alcohol is cooling
rather than burning. Some were not pleased with the maturity. I
don’t mind it. Not a picnic wine. Needs full fare. 15.6. wt071305-06. 04
TAVEL DOMAINE DE LA MORDOREE - (FRANCE
MEDITERRANEAN) Much preferred by the group. Bold, fresh, racy, full
of red fruit and peel aromas. Sweet red berries, cherry, melon,
and fine spices./ Sweet and full fruit, broad and powerful build.
Certainly has Tavel stature. Plus charm. Complete. 16.8+. wt071305-07. 03
PARINGA SOUTH AUSTRALIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
- (AUSTRALIA) Very powerful. Ripe black fruits, shoe leather, shoe
polish. A cooling mint aspect./ Sweet, warm-climate fare, but there’s
plenty of dry extract here to combat the sugariness. Oak vanillin
extras. Should prove popular. 15.0. wt071305-08. 04
CASTLE ROCK LODI PETIT SIRAH - (U.S.)
Black pet color./ Intense, strong, direct Lodi pet style. Wine of
place. No coastal cool, no Valley jam./ Dark, purple loganberry
character of good petit sirah. Wisps of cherry, raspberry, and cassis
too. This has aromatic personality on the palate, more than on the
nose. Rich and full. And fulfilling. Chewy. A bargain. 15.9+. wt071305-09. 04
CLINE ANCIENT VINES CALIFORNIA ZINFANDEL
- (U.S.) Fresh, warm, strong, well extracted. Apple-raspberry. The
real deal./ Juicy, thick, sweet, loaded. Lush, lively, and handsome
black fruits. Good power. In style with previous good vintages.
Surprisingly accomplished already, but with much more filling out
to go. The Calif appellation belies the premium origins of the fruit
here. San Joaquin Valley it ain’t. 16.0+.
Wednesday, July 6, 2005 wt070605-01. 04
MACON VILLAGES DOMAINE CHENE, CHATEAU CHARDON
- (FRANCE BURGUNDY) @Berze la Ville 71960 northwest of La Roche
Vineuse - Fresh and appley. Also lemon oil and crushed rock. Just
lovely, pure, right, ideal for age. Well concentrated too./ Soft.
Flavorful. Again, apple is the main theme–ripe apple, a mild variety.
We need Macon Villages like this: totally fresh, totally woodless.
Well liked by the group. 15.8. wt070605-02. 03
KAMPTAL KIES GRUNER VELTLINER, KURT ANGERER
- (AUSTRIA) Full, thick, rich 03 style. Green apple peel, roots,
legumes, mashed lentils and green peas./ Rich apple taste. Plus
citrus, wax, and grain. Good flavor punch. 03 plump and soft. Attractive.
15.5. wt070605-03. 03
PONZI TAVOLA WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR
- (U.S.) Cherry-berry-tea-candy aromas of pinot noir. Nice, expansive
demonstration of Willamette pinot. Toast and handsome oak./ Pinot
flavors with the plum and cherry peels. Wood vanilla and toast.
Has the fluidity of a ‘tavola’ wine. High strung, eager. Crisp acidity.
Could be served cool given that doesn’t stiffen the oak tannins.
A bit ambitious and a bit expensive for a ‘tavola’ wine. Good though.
Well liked by the group. 15.3+. wt070605-04. 02
CLOS LA CHANCE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS PINOT NOIR
- (U.S.) Riper, more mature, rounded. Bright, glossy wood veneer,
a bit lacquery, like in a gift shop. Cherry candy too./ Yes, ripe
and cherry candied. A clear distinction here between Oregon and
Calif pinot. Good acidity. Pleasant now. Most preferred the Ponzi.
15.2. wt070605-05. 03
CARNUNTUM CUVEE UNFILTERED ROTWEIN, MARKOWITSCH
- (AUSTRIA) Cool purple fruits. Plum, tea, cola. Almost a sense
of wood (cedar)--nice. Very pure fruit. Reduction clears easily
with airing./ Not as evocative of fruit as the nose. Fine tannin,
acid, texture. An adequately ripe, accomplished Austrian red, in
part thanks to a warm vintage. A pleasant surprise, pleasant wine,
pleasant value. Commendable. 15.4. wt070605-06. 03
SANTA RITA RESERVA RAPEL VALLEY CARMENERE
- (CHILE) Plenty of sweet, black carmenere fruit and plenty of reserva
oak. Big and spicy. Concentrated, burnished, smoky, varietal./ Dense,
powerful, lush berry fruit, with good, taut acidity and structure
and generous oak seasonings. Oak and fruit will completely integrate
over the next several months to form a whole greater than the sum
of its parts. 89+/100. wt070605-07. 03
MONTES ALPHA APALTA VINEYARD COLCHAGUA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (CHILE) 1 year in French oak - Sweet oak. Pungent oak.
Still a bit on top to start. Vanilla. With breathing, the fruit
wells up–sweet fruit. Fine berry-currant black-fruit cabernet expression
revealed. High toned, perfumed, rich, and aromatic./ Wealthy compote
of vanilla-and-brown-spice oak and rich cabernet fruits. Racy, vibrant
fruit acidity. Fine oak and fruit tannins. Balanced, well-textured,
accomplished on the palate. Well crafted wine, both stylish and
generous. One of the best of the Alpha series. 16.8. wt070605-08. 02
CLOS LA CHANCE NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
- (U.S.) Sweet, lacquery oak and candied fruit like the pinot noir.
House style? The sources are distinct and distant. Good intensity./
Smoky oak on the palate. Sweet currant-berry black fruit. Well balanced.
But expensive; not as good a value as the rest of the range. 15.9. wt070605-09. 03
MARCHES SANGIOVESE MEDORA, UMANI RONCHI
- (ITALY) Good central Italy sangiovese nose. Solid, stoic. Has
form and grip and core. Some oak aging?/ Cedary highlights on nose
and palate alike. Dried cherry with peel extract grip. Juicy too.
Balanced. Good acidity. Good ager. Ronchi is a good source. 16.0+. wt070605-10. 03
SICILIA ROSSO, COLOSI - (ITALY) @Messina
- Warm, round, ripe, succulent. Lush, burnished black fruits. Black
cherry, black olive. Not roasted, not overripe; just plump. Good
craftsmanship in 03. In fact, the most alluring Colosi yet./ The
palate confirms, sweet, ripe, plump, succulent fruit. Adequate acidity.
This should prove hugely popular. 16.0. wt070605-11. 03
SICILIA NERO D’AVOLA MEZZO GIORNO, PASQUA & FAZIO - (ITALY) @Trapani - Sweet and ripe, but less plump.
More peel here, more press. Some astringency./ Seems a harder pressing
be responsible for its obdurate demeanor. The alcohol is generous,
but there’s little charm at present. Maybe bottle aging will help.
14.8+? wt070605-12. 00
NEBBIOLO DELLE LANGHE PERBACCO, VIETTI
- (ITALY) Quite a pale and rusty color./ Wood, menthol, flowers,
tart cherry, plum, resin, old leather, cough drop. Complex and unique./
Palate adds spices, citrus peel, and anise. Medium bodied. Good
glycerol, good acidity. Fine texture, tannin, grip. Young. Defies
translation yet. Marches to a different drummer. The group appreciated
its uniqueness–the most talked-about wine at the tasting. 16.0++. wt070605-13. 01
BARBARESCO, MICHELE CHIARLO - (ITALY)
Deep, ripe, smoked fruit. Cherry, nut, coffee, game, fennel, tobacco,
allspice, and smoke. Good oak. Great acidity, vitality. Some ventilating
licorice and menthol. Dense but stylish. Classic./ Rich in the glycerol
of dried fruit. Solid structure, fine grip, restraint, fine tannin.
Well balanced. Very, very classy and charming modern style. Long
and layered finish. Good now and later. 17.8+. wt070605-14. 00
BARBARESCO MARTINENGA, MARCHESI DI GRESY
- (ITALY) Darker, more solid, more resistant. Compact, close-grained
oak, dried cherry, flowers, and licorice. Another classic./ Palate
has all the same, traditional aromatic components as the nose. Requires
more time. Firm core; just a bud now. Hopefully, it will fill out
as it matures. Shows style potential. The group was evenly split
between the two. 17.0++. wt070605-15. 02
CLOS LA CHANCE EL DORADO ZINFANDEL - (U.S.)
Raspberry, fine-ground peppercorn, and some capsicum. Sierra Foothills
ripe and stuffed full./ Sawdusty oak. Sweet fruit. House style again?
Strong, even powerful Sierra Foothills zin. As a degree of charm
too. 15.7. wt070605-16. 03
MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER RIESLING KABINETT, KUHL
- (GERMANY) Tingles the nostrils. Real Mosel riesling zip and flower.
Bright citrus, peach, apple. Cool and pretty./ Mild acidity of 03.
Good Mosel riesling flavor. Lingers long. A good value. 15.4. wt070605-17. 03
URZIGER WURZGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT, KARL ERBES - (GERMANY) Vigorous acid ring and Mosel slate walnut-husk
character. Also citrus, peach, and spices./ Sweetness and mild acidity
of 03. Plenty plump. Adequate grip. 16.0. wt070605-18. 03
URZIGER WURZGARTEN RIESLING SPATLESE, KARL ERBES - (GERMANY) Again the Mosel riesling tingle, the walnut
husk, and the Urz Wurz spiciness. Green apple, lime, minerals. Genuine.
Wine of place./ Sweet but with good acidity. Actually gives less
of a sweet impression than the kabinett thanks to the balancing
acidity and good, chewy extract. 16.4.
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