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Tasting Notes Printer-Friendly Version
- March, 2007
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007 WT032807-01. KRITER COTE D’OR BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT - (SPARKLING) Nice, fluffy, creamy, moussy, appley and citrusy blanc de blancs nose. Lots of flair and appeal. Shows lees autolysis bouquet and tensile blanc de blancs fruit./ Very bright and flavorful. Chardonnay makes its presence known. Acidity milder than in a Champagne wine–as usual, because Burgundy’s farther south. No problem. The wine is well balanced, shows some bottle bouquet, fine mousse, and a lovely, original fruit personality. Fine value. Well liked by the group. Better than past Kriters. Welcome back to the market! At last, a Kriter Wine without a Critter label. 16.0. WT032807-02. KRITER ECLAT CARMIN COTE D’OR ROSE BRUT - (SPARKLING) Attractive, delicate red fruit: strawberry, cranberry, tart cherry./ Palate confirms the fruits and adds some doughy bottle bouquet. Not as fine a mousse as the blanc de blancs, suggesting a younger product. Nice, refreshing, racy edge. Good value. 15.8. WT032807-03. 06 BERGERAC SAUVIGNON, DOMAINE DU GOUYAT - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Wow! Shrill gooseberry, grapefruit, and cat of a Loire sauvignon. Vintage and youth speak. There’s also a ripe-fruit Bordeaux sauvignon aspect, showing peach and melon. Resourceful./ Vibrant flavor profile adding pear and apple and blossoms. Love the cat and cut. Dazzling young sauvignon vim and vigor! 16.2. WT032807-04. 06 PICPOUL DE PINET, CAVE DES VIGNERONS DE MONTAGNAC - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Fresh and still fuzzy-faced. Floral, talcy./ Plump in youth. Soft and padded, but there’s enough acidity underlying that youthfully tender feel. Tangy citrus and plump apricot textures. Impressively long, lingering finish for such a young wine. This will be super over the summer. 15.9+. WT032807-05. 05 MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE VIEILLES VIGNES, CHATEAU DU POYET - (FRANCE LOIRE) Wow! As fully fragrant as Muscadet gets. Plush and scented. The vintage has shown a lot of these. Quince, bosq pear, green melon, hysop./ Again, larger than life Muscadet. Soft and rich, with relatively mild acidity. Very attractive value. 15.9. WT032807-06. 05 VOSS RUTHERFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC - (U.S.) Wow! Ripe, exotic, full of tropical splendors and a subtle, tantalizing spiciness that suggests it’s oak derived. Striking; very assertive./ Ripe and rich fruit. Potpourri of spices and fragrances. Good strength for structural support in place of its relatively mild acidity. Racy, grapefruit finish. Very generous and enticing at this stage. 16.4. WT032807-07. 05 THOMAS FOGARTY MONTEREY GEWURZTRAMINER - (U.S.) Cool and tonic, fresh and snappy. Ginger, lychee, rose, bay-laurel, and bergamot, with a sweet, marshmallow-fluff aura./ Fragrant and floral in the mouth. Citrus and honey. Tad of residual sweetness, some glycerol, and a nice, lightly bitter foil. Very long finish. Lovely, charming, generous. A great success. Bravo! 16.6. WT032807-08. 06 COTES DU RHONE ROSE LE PAVILLON, CHATEAU BEAUCHENE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Fresh, strong, and penetrating. Sleek and charming red fruits, cracked black peppercorn edge./ Still edgy in youth, showing peel astringency and a citrus zest nip. Needs time to plump up, broaden out, display its aromatics.14.0++. WT032807-09. 05 BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR, DOMAINE CHENE - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Wow! Sweet cherry aroma like cherry hard candy. Plus peels-extract oolong tea, and caramelly, spicy extras that suggest some barrel aging. That lovely 05 sense of pinot purity and equilibrium./ Juicy, pure, high-toned. Fine structure, fine texture. Full, plummy, and spicy, and right in tune with vintage character and quality. Not as forward as the 03 at the same stage–because that was a riper, more open-knit style of vintage. Will equal, and likely surpass, the 03 over the coming months. 16.3+. WT032807-10. 05 BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR, MATTHIEU DE BRULLY - (FRANCE BURGUNDY) Firmer, deeper, darker. Sweet black cherry here. Lively, spicy, nutty, serious. Wow!/ Yes, deep, purple, pure, transparent, concentrated. And quite tannic. Very handsome, with fine depth, and inimitable Bourgogne terroir statement. Lots of room for growth. 16.4+. WT032807-11. 04 CASTLE ROCK ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Richness and ripeness characteristic of 04 and Alexander Valley. Sweet and sassy cabernet fruit statement./ Yes, lots of ripe, sweet fruit plus light oak seasonings. Reminds me of the 04 Geyser Peak Alexander Valley Cabernet, without quite as much oak involvement. Good value. 16.0. WT032807-12. 04 CHIANTI MONROSSO, MONSANTO - (ITALY) 04 dark-fruit character but no sense of 04 toughness. Maybe it’s this particular wine, or maybe the 04s in general are finally beginning to fill out, liven up. Ripe, fulfilled, plush now. Deep aromas of dried cherry, peppercorn, warm spices, anise. Nice glycerol thickness./ Balanced and flavorful. Full dryness assuaged by ripe fruit and glycerol. A well crafted wine that’s attractive now and will improve. 16.2+. WT032807-13. 04 MORELLINO DI SCANSANO I PERAZZI, LE MOZZA - (ITALY) Deeper, darker, fuller. More substance and sophistication here. Dense and sturdy; plenty in reserve. Cherry, raspberry, black currant, flowers, licorice./ Yow! Rich, southern Tuscan sangiovese. Big and chewy. Fine structure, depth, tannins. Well balanced. In fact, complete. In fact, tremendous! 17.0+. WT032807-14. 04 WENTE LIVERMORE VALLEY SYRAH - (U.S.) Red cherry, red currant. Cranberry relish. Tea. Oak vanillin and brown spices. Dry, sleek, sassy, maritime-climate syrah. A wine of place./ Yes, this is quite the opposite of those anonymous ‘big reds’ that are so many California syrahs, though not without a certain roundness, ripeness, density and depth. Neat, compact red that will likely show better at the dinner table than at the tasting bar. 15.6+. WT032807-15. 04 COTES DU RHONE GRAND RESERVE, CHATEAU BEAUCHENE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 70% grenache, 30% syrah. Deep, dark, thick-skinned fruit derivatives. Cherry, spices, garrigue. Sweet, polished, milk-chocolate-like oak extracts. Warm and fleshy./ Spicy palate, with sweet fruit and garrigue. Soft, sleek, fine textured, vanilla laced. Very seductive. 16.4. WT032807-16. 04 CROZES HERMITAGE, DOMAINE PRADELLE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Sweet northern Rhone syrah raspberry, white pepper, tar, bacon, and flowers. Cool, laid back, lively, and handsome 04./ Big, brooding, quite tannic. Will need some time for the palate to soften and fill out. 16.3+. WT032807-17. 06 SANTA JULIA TARDIO LATE HARVEST MENDOZA TORRONTES half liter - (ARGENTINA) 130 g/l r. s. Fragrant and floral. Gewurztraminer like. Yes, rosy and glycerined. Also peach, kiwi, pear, citrus, passion fruit./ Rose, geranium, citrus, and caramel. Lithe, fresh, sporty. Bright, penetrating, assertive. Well balanced. A delicious mouthful. 16.9. WT032807-18. 05 CHATEAU ROUMIEU LACOSTE, SAUTERNES half bottle - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Thick vanilla frosting with lemon verve and ripe melon extra. Fig, apricot, honey, mango. Also wood, hazelnut, and almond complex. Big, assertive, liquoreuse./ Both sweet and snappy. Good oak features. Good full alcohol and body. Dense and authoritative; a big mouthful of wine. Very long. Well tuned, juicy, lovely, promising. Very impressive for such a young Sauternes. Special. 17.5+. Wednesday, March 21, 2007 WT032107-01. 04 LAFLEUR NAUJAN SAUVIGNON, CUVEE DES CHEVALIERS, BORDEAUX - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) @St. Vincent de Pertagnes. Discreet, bright, citric, tangy, with light sauvignon grassiness. Lovely mix of herbals, citrus, pears, apples, and perfume./ Polished and pippy, spicy, lightly astringent. Drink this spring-summer. 15.2. WT032107-02. 04 DOLOMITI PORTICO DEI LEONI, ALOIS LAGEDER - (ITALY) 55% pinot grigio, 45% pinot bianco. Sturdy and vinous. Pinot grigio cream and nut, pinot bianco chalky punch. Ripe apple and almond. Intriguing, exotic./ Broad and sturdy. Textured yellow fruits with creamy viscosity and nice nuttiness. 15.0. WT032107-03. 05 COSTIERES DE NIMES GRENACHE BLANC, CHATEAU DE LA TUILIERIE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Sleek, perfumed, floral, delicate. Light suggestions of apple, quince, and citrus./ Nice, smooth feel–the varietal has mild acidity. Nervy, spicy, minty, minerally. Touch of melon. Some nicely textured peel extracts. Light fruit perfume and plumpness. Enjoyed by the group. 15.5. WT032107-04. 05 OC CHARDONNAY-ROUSSANNE, DOMAINE LA VERNEDE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Crisp chardonnay, round roussanne. Soft and brooding, with volume and lushness cut by a sharp tonic bite./ Roussanne lemon custard and plumpness. Round, fat, soft, honeyed, generous. Nice piquant edge gives a balanced approach. 15.6.. WT032107-05. 05 CASTLE ROCK WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR - (U.S.) Bracing tea, tar, and tart cherry Oregon pinot nature. Some smoothness from alcohol and glycerol modulates the the tartness. Subtle oak toast and a hint of raspberry./ The palate adds game to the aromatic profile. Pretty tart in a tasting context; likely better with food. 15.3. WT032107-06. 01 CHATEAU NAUJAN LAPEREYERE CUVEE TRADITION, FUTS DE CHENE, 1ERES COTES DE BORDEAUX - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Merlot, cabernet sauvignon. Wood and time in wood. Ruddiness, dried fruit, and rancio tones of age. Clay, compost, leather, sweat, game, tobacco, spices, four-square black fruits./ Ripe for 01, with good 01 acidity. Good wood-aged complex. Really quite substantial for the vintage. But high acidity and
still some tannin, which will likely outlive the fruit, given that this is full-bouqueted now. 15.0. WT032107-07. 05 VERAMONTE RESERVA CASABLANCA VALLEY MERLOT - (CHILE) Deep black currant aroma and vigorous oak spices. Merlot roundness./ Ripe, round fruit and spicy oak. The black currant flavor suggests cabernet but the softness brings it back to merlot. Fine tannin. This will improve. 15.6+. WT032107-08. 05 LA YUNTA MENDOZA TINTO - (ARGENTINA) 28% each cabernet sauvignon, malbec, bonarda; 9% syrah, 7% torrontes. Very sweet, young, new, modern. But not whole bunch or carbonic maceration. Bright black cherry, blackberry, black currant, strawberry. Vanilla and fruit cremes. Floral extras. Fine, sleek, sophisticated oak aura./ Very floral thanks to the torrontes, playing the role that viognier takes alongside
syrah. Torrontes flair and red fruit substance. Sleek, bright, lively fruits; lots of charm. A valid recipe. 15.9. WT032107-09. 05 OC SYRAH, DOMAINE LA VERNEDE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Fresh, with raspberry, tar, and peppercorn. Some green stem tannin./ Fluid and rather tart. Mild glycerol, fine tannin, some grip. Racy edge. 14.0. WT032107-10. 04 COSTIERES DE NIMES VIEILLES VIGNES, CHATEAU DE LA TUILIERE - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) 70% syrah, 30% grenache. Warm, sweet, smoky. Large, and still growing. Blueberry, plum, cherry cough syrup, currant, English Leather./ Good, zesty syrah raspberry and peppercorn flavors. 04 coolness, acidity, and structure. Tannins still intrude. Good depth and handsome profile. 16.1+. WT032107-11. 05 LA YUNTA TARDIO LATE HARVEST LA RIOJA TORRONTES half liter - (ARGENTINA) Fine honey, flowers, lemon custard, grains, and toasty warmth. Fig, apricot, sweet confectionery and bakery treats./ Perky acidity along with rich sweetness and full flavor of the late harvest style. Generous. 17.3. WT032107-12. 01 JURANCON, DOMAINE BRU-BACHE half bottle - (FRANCE BORDEAUX) Subtle, nutty, grainy, mature. Dense and distinctive fusion of fig and caramel./ Flowing, racy, nutty, refreshing. Creme caramel, fig, lemon zest. Much drier than the Torrontes. Very intriguing. Well liked by the group. 16.6. Wednesday, March 14, 2007 WT031407-01. BAREFOOT BUBBLY CALIFORNIA BRUT - (SPARKLING) Foamy and fruity. Melon aroma. Chenin blanc? Plus peach and lemon./ Soft and melony. Candied apple. Not brut. Easy, frothy, pleasant. 14.0. WT031407-02. 02 CREMANT DE LIMOUX LES GRAIMENOUS BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT, DOMAINE J. LAURENS - (SPARKLING) Methode traditionelle. Good, toasty bottle bouquet with citrus, dried orange peel, grains, sweetmeal./ All confirmed. Plus apple, pear, nuts. Very sophisticated and complex bottle bouquet. Dry, crisp, refreshing. I might have guessed Champagne. Wow! A deal! 16.4. WT031407-03. 05 COTES DU RHONE BLANC BELLERUCHE, CHAPOUTIER - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Lush roussanne lemon creme with nice viognier tropics touches. Tangerine, orange peel, and cedar notes too. Reserved, stylish, pretty, charming, exotic./ Honeysuckle, flowers, citrus peels. Again, something cedary, aromatic wood. Brisk, vibrant, piquant; nice dash of astringency. Subtle. Well structured. 15.8. WT031407-04. 04 THOMAS FOGARTY MONTEREY GEWURZTRAMINER - (U.S.) Ample gewurz. Spice, cold cream, lychee, peach, mango. Large, rich, and ripe./ True varietal flavors and viscosity. Tea-leaf patina. Full-formed. 16.2. WT031407-05. 05 GEWURZTRAMINER EGUISHEIM, WOLFBERGER - (FRANCE ALSACE) Gold Medal - Paris. Barbershop, pomade, tonic. Rose petals, cold cream, citrus peel. Strong, dry, incisive Eguisheim style./ Good, lively, tangy acidity, racy freshness. Intensely flavored, perfumed. Tropics, cold cream, rose hips, peach-honey. Dry, with glycerined roundness. 16.4. WT031407-06. 05 ROBERT MONDAVI PRIVATE SELECTION VINETTA CALIFORNIA RED - (U.S.) 68% cabernet sauvignon, 14% merlot, 11% petit verdot, 5% malbec, 2% cabernet franc. Good, solid fruit. Cool, not Valley. Raspberry, currant, discreet oak. Has a silky sheen, quiet grace, and touch of class. Runs deep too./ Silky, lightly oaky, and showing good cabernet emphasis. Fine tannin. Balanced and alluring. Popular with the group.
15.9. WT031407-07. 02 OBERON NAPA VALLEY MERLOT - (U.S.) That 02 fruit abundance coupled with Napa class and Mondavi silkiness. Deep and alluring. Lots of black fruits, especially cherry and currant./ Fine-grained tannin, nice sweet fruit, lovely texture. Good structure and balance. Maturing nicely. Foodworthy. 16.2. WT031407-08. 05 CHATEAU CHANTAL RESERVE LUJAN DE CUYO MALBEC - (ARGENTINA) Some reserve oakiness–oak and time in oak–and Mendoza hearty warmth as well as liveliness and flair from the high altitude Lujan area. Black fruits, chocolate, nuts. Right./ Good warmth, power, wood, fruit. Tangy acidity and some astringency. 15.0. WT031407-09. 04 KAY BROTHERS AMERY VINEYARDS MCLAREN VALE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (AUSTRALIA) Black and huge-structured. Deep, with blackberry, currant, tar, peel, licorice, power, penetration. The usual fine style here./ Big and authoritative. Intense fruit flavor and concentration. Glycerol smooths over the big, rugged, chewy tannins. Singular among Aussie cabernets. 17.0+. WT031407-10. 04 MONFERRATO IL BACIALE, BRAIDA - (ITALY) 60% barbera, 20% pinot noir, 10% each cabernet and merlot. Dark-complexioned, big and burly, compact and tough. Black fruits and berries, touch of game./ Good oak and good barbera grip. Lively, tangy, assertive barbera acidity. The palate is fine and complex. Air and age. Well liked by the group. 16.0+. WT031407-11. 05 MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO RIPAROSSO, ILLUMINATI - (ITALY) Nice, cool, peppery, southern Rhone like. Fat, dense, and solid, with notes of black cherry, black olive, and cigar smoke./ Full, fine tannin. Deep and well concentrated. Firm fruit. Still compact in youth. Probably catching this younger than usual. I like its prospects. Well liked by the group. 15.8+. WT031407-12. 02 MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO RISERVA, ZACCAGNINI - (ITALY) Earthy, old time, hearty, riserva style. Dense and savory, with riserva time-in-barrel bouquet progress. Dried fruit perfumes./ Sweet, ripe and dried black fruits with savory spices. Nutty oak extras. Not lacking in ripeness. Stylish, well crafted. Flows nicely over the palate; easy to drink now. Well liked by the group. 16.6. WT031407-13. 05 COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC LES HAUTES DE LA BRUNE, CAVE DE VIGNERONS DE SAINT FELIX - SAINT JEAN - (FRANCE MEDITERRANEAN) Young. Vibrant whole bunch fermentation aromas. Violets, red raspberries, banana peel./ Fresh and still astringent. Fine tannin. Needs a few months for fulfillment. Although others thought it user-friendly now. 15.4+. WT031407-14. 05 SHENANDOAH VINEYARDS SPECIAL RESERVE AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) The usual juicy, ripe, round, forward ease. Black raspberry, strawberry, flowers./ Sweet and jammy, juicy, sassy, easy flowing. Creamy red fruit. Lots of charm. Consistent year to year. 15.9. WT031407-15. 05 SOBON ESTATE HILLSIDE AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Sweet, ripe, singed Amador style of zinfandel with nice oak elegance. Raspberry and mulberry aromas./ Lots of raspberry and seed flavors. Good strength and earthy solidity. Racy and satin-textured. Fine value. 16.1. WT031407-16. 04 SOBON ESTATE ROCKY TOP AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Very ripe, with a sweet, strong, singed, port-like quality that is not alien to this cuvee. Black cherry, green olive, floral perfumes, mace. Delightful expressiveness./ Ripe, singed, oaky, full-flavored. Soft, sweet, and port-like. Great depth. Late-harvest style with nice oak accents. Good now. 16.4. WT031407-17. 05 EASTON AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Oh! deep, dark, apple-raspberry-cranberry zin set. Lush./ Yes, rich and dense in extract, pulp, and peel. Balanced. The oak works in tandem with the fruit. Plump, chewy, long. 16.6. WT031407-18. 01 MUSCAT DE BEAUMES DE VENISE, GEORGES DUBOEUF half bottle - (FORTIFIED) Good developed stage of muscat canelli. Right. Dried apricot, orange peel, honey, and nuts./ Medium sweet, bright, and tangy. Flavors confirm aromas, adding white pepper, candied fruits, and caramel. Good spirit contribution too. 16.8. Wednesday, March 7, 2007
WT030707-01. 05 MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE CLASSIQUE, GUY BOSSARD - (FRANCE LOIRE) Full, like all the 05 Muscadets we’ve tasted./ Yes! Very full on the palate. Lots of power and textural play. Plenty of acid and juiciness, and vigor! Slices and dices the taste buds. Wow! 16.1. WT030707-02. 05 VOUVRAY, DIDIER CHAMPALOU - (FRANCE LOIRE) Lots of peel vigor. Almost a woody impression from peel extracts. Pungent, but also shows style. Sweet melon, lime, apple, calcaire./ Semi-dry–sec tendre. Apple, honey, and calcaire flavors. Full and structured, with engaging suppleness. Deep and dense, well extracted. Fine acidity. Will improve over the coming months. 16.0+. WT030707-03. 05 NAPA CELLARS NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY - (U.S.) Lively, nutty yellow fruits. Class and congruence. Nice oak./ Lovely fruit flavor set: apple pear, hints of stone fruits and citrus. Very pretty. 15.8. WT030707-04. 05 MURFATLAR ROMANIA PINOT NOIR - (ROMANIA) Mild and soft. Pinot noir demeanor if not much pinot aromatic definition./ Ah, but there’s pinot cherry and tea on the palate, charming and lively. Nice, sweet pinot, as they like to make ‘em in eastern Europe. Appealing. 15.2. WT030707-05. 05 MURFATLAR ROMANIA MERLOT - (ROMANIA) Good, sweet red fruit nose, lively and tangy./ Sweet merlot cherry and some red currant too. Merlot softness, eastern Europe sweetness. Easy drinkin’. 15.0. WT030707-06. 03 MONTEVINA CUCINA MISTA CALIFORNIA RED - (U.S.) Sweet, uncomplicated bistro red. Lots of charm./ Again. A mindless quaff. Not juggy, just simple. Good acidity. 14.4. WT030707-07. 04 BIERZO MENCIA BALTOS, DOMINICO DE TARES - (SPAIN) Ripe and somewhat evolved. Sweet cherry and hickory nut. Lively, spicy black fruits, cassis, green olive, oak, clove-like exotica./ Round, spicy, earthy black fruits. Fine, lively acidity, racy, high-toned, vigorous. Ample oak and tannin. Trace of bitter chocolate. 16.2. WT030707-08. 05 BIERZO PETALOS, DESC. DE JOSE PALACIOS - (SPAIN) Deeper and more compact. Fresh, sweet-fruited, modern. Plum, cherry and peels, flowers, licorice./ Citron flavor–unusual in a red wine. But, then, mencia’s an unusual red grape. Generous; lots of spicy fruits layered over firm acid carriage. Fine textured. Impressive, and there’s more to come. Plenty of textural presence now but needs additional bottle
age for full aromatic development. 16.8+. WT030707-09. 04 FOLIE A DEUX NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Deep, plump, ripe black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, cassis, and tobacco, with a nice oak touch. Folie’s cabernet always seem to have that distinctive cherry theme. Moving away from the previous era, the oak is less dominant. Here’s style as well as size./ The palate is more authoritative. Here’s power and plenty of oak and sweet fruit. Chewy extract
and tannins. Lots of grip. Big, but not too big for its boots. This is not show wine; this is made to be part of a meal. 16.6+. WT030707-10. 03 NAPA CELLARS NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - (U.S.) Sweet, bright, more lifted, less powerful than the 04 Folie. In a way, that’s the vintage talking, but also the winery style. Seems more like French oak here and American in the Folie. The fruit is black and brooding still, and the well-integrated oak has cedar and toast overtones. / Full, sweet oak and plummy fruit tastes. Fennel note. Very fine
tannin. This has finesse, as well as importance. Fine balance and depth. Very handsome. 16.7+. WT030707-11. 04 MONTEVINA FORTE CALIFORNIA RED - (U.S.) 55% Amador sangiovese, 45% Napa cabernet sauvignon. Sweet, racy, dainty nose of sangiovese dried cherry and citrus peel. Plus a currant strain./ Flavor confirms the sangiovese dominance over the more powerful cabernet. Cabernet is almost a silent partner–a big surprise because in Super Tuscans it usually asserts itself. Nice sangiovese acidity. One of the most
attractive California sangioveses I’ve tasted. 16.3+. WT030707-12. 04 ANGOVE’S RED BELLY BLACK SOUTH AUSTRALIA SHIRAZ - (AUSTRALIA) Sweet, dark 04 fruit. The oak is under control now. I think we’ve tasted this vintage before, and the oak was more strident. Maybe it was the 03. Yes, the fruit is nicely sweet now and showing some bouquet formation./ Sweet and spicy, with good power and 04 coolness and darkness. Well balanced and very tasty. 15.9. WT030707-13. 04 WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL SOUTH AUSTRALIA SHIRAZ - (AUSTRALIA) Nicely rounded surface with some of the ruggedness of youth still evident deep down inside. Blackberry, cigar tobacco, hint of mint./ Brooding black fruits, prominent, dry tannins, good acidity. Will need a full year’s aging to become as engaging as the 03 showed late last year. 15.8+. WT030707-14. 04 WOLF BLASS PRESIDENT’S SOUTH AUSTRALIA SHIRAZ - (AUSTRALIA) Fuller, deeper. More fruit class and substance. Better grade of oak too, nice and toasty. Superior depth./ Creamy black fruits. Rich and large and sweet and mouthfilling. A fine, fetching wine, surely worth the premium. 16.6. WT030707-15. 03 NAPA CELLARS NAPA VALLEY ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Sweet and black and peppery zin fruit with classic Napa elegance. Sassy, lush, eager. Blueberry, plum, black cherry. Always a good zin source here./ Yes, sweet berry creme and vanilla creme, with nice oak baking spices throughout. A very long and thorough Napa zinfandel. 16.8. WT030707-16. 03 FOLIE A DEUX AMADOR ZINFANDEL - (U.S.) Fine, sweet, nutty-toasty oak aromatic set. Showiing a restrained, elegant, and finely honed fruit impression to start, it blossoms forth with nice blackberry, spice, bitter chocolate, and earth aromas./ Again, sweet and nutty oak aspects.. And lively, racy, even vivacious, fruit elegance. Great acid, fine tannin. Unique and complete Amador zinfandel. Lofty goals
here. 16.5+. WT030707-17. GILBERT’S TAWNY PORTO half liter - (FORTIFIED) Coffee, toffee, molasses, dried fruit, date, pie crust, and nuts on the nose./ Lots of sweet, dried fruits and caramel on the palate, which is surprisingly well-mannered, well aged, and sophisticated for the price. 16.3. |
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