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Overall impressions: this was quite a collage of wines, with offerings from Italy, France, Spain, Australia, and the U.S. Although there wasn't any particular theme, the Wine Exchange was celebrating their 20th Anniversay, so the staff pulled out all the stops, selecting a bunch (no pun intended) of somewhat pricey items for this tasting. Excellent idea, because several of these wouldn't get much play in the way of venue, varietally speaking. (In addition to the usual cheeses and breads served at most Wine Exchange tastings, from time to time they'll also add something nice that's home-made - like a tapenade or a pate. This time is was a delicious pate. Kudos, Mrs. Z!) The pack was really close on my top seven favorites. From the Mersault to the Delesvaux, all were fabulous. In fact, there was hardly a slouch in the lineup. The nose on the Artadi Rioja was incredible. The Argiano Brunello had a really nice eucalyptus streak going for it, and the Gary Farrell Pinot, while obviously not Burgundy, was almost impeccable. Finally, the Capçanes Cabrida demonstrated all too well how great old-vine Grenache can taste. The only disappointments here were mild -- the Chablis was only moderately interesting, and the Stangland Pinot seemed weird -- or, maybe they were actually trying for something other-worldly. |
1999 Raveneau Chablis Vaillons. $49.99. Very light yellow color. Fruity, yet still somewhat austere nose. Slightly sour mouthfeel, lightly fruity, good balance and moderately long finish. I guess I'm missing something here - oh, it's a nice little wine alright, but it seems wildly overpriced. Aroma score: B Taste score: B Overall score: B 1999
Chateau de Mersault Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet.
$44.99. Moderate yellow color. Lovely nose of roasted grain,
citrus, and smoky elements. Smoky and toasty on the palate, excellent
balance, very long smooth finish. Now we're talking! 1999
Frederic Esmonin Ruchottes Chambertin. $45.99. Medium dark garnet
color. Lots of various floral aromas in the nose, with strawberry,
bing cherry and light toasty quality. Medium mouthfeel, with flavors
of strawberry, cinnamon, and lightly stemmy forest floor accents.
Long and slightly bitter though smooth finish. 1999
Gary Farrell Pinot Noir - Rochioli Vnyd. $49.99. Medium-dark
garnet color. Nose of somewhat stemmy cinnamon, black cherry, and
some floral aromas. Slightly sweet mouthfeel, with gobs of very
tasty fruit, and a nice long finish that shows a deft touch on the
oak. Really nice! 1999
Stangland Pinot Noir Winemaker's Reserve - Oregon. $46.99. Medium-dark
ruby garnet color. Kind of stinky nose, with lots of stem and oak
nearly overwhelming the fruit, and definitely pushing the "corked"
envelope. Off-sweet mouthfeel, with a slight mushroom and forest
floor component mingling with the bing cherry fruit. The mouth is
only slightly better than the off-putting nose. Hopefully, this
was just a bad bottle -- although no one else seemed to be complaining
about it. 1999
La Spinetta Barbera de Asti Superiore. $42.99. Dark garnet color.
Huge, dense, smoky nose, that shows some oak, but not at all agressive.
Major fruit on the palate, this monster is chewy and tannic, but
tastes just great now. 1999
Falesco Montiano. $39.99. Dark garnet color. Sweet, slightly
minty and smoky nose. Chewy mouthfeel, with lots of thick cherry
and cassis fruit, along with a nice streak of mint carrying from
start the through long finish. 100% Merlot. 1997
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino. $44.99. Very dark ruby garnet
color. Nose of cinnamon, dried cherry, juniper and eucalyptus. Full
mouthfeel, delicious fruit, excellent balance, and a long seamless
finish. 1999
Cellars Capçanes Cabrida. $34.99. Dark ruby garnet
color. Dense sweet nose of raspberry, licorice and chocolate. Smooth,
rich mouthfeel, slight toasty quality to the abundant fruit, with
a long seamless finish. This is a lip-smacker! 100% old vine Grenache. 1999
Finca Allende Rioja Calvario. $49.99. Very dark garnet
ruby color. Effusive nose of cassis, chocolate and toasty oak. Very
chewy mouthfeel, with lots of palate cling from both the oak and
tannins. But, this wine has such huge fruit that the oak never dominates
it. 1999
Artadi Rioja Pagos Viejos. $63.99. Dark ruby garnet color.
Stunning nose of cassis, toast, roasted meat, and a hint of smoked
cheddar. Excellent mouthfeel, chewy fruit, fabulous balance -- just
killer! 1998
Remirez de Ganuza Rioja. $44.99. Dark
garnet ruby color. Fabulous nose of cassis, chocolate, and toast.
Somewhat light on the palate, with ample flavors, very nice balance,
and long finish. |
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1998
Leda Vino de Mesa Vinas Viejas. $47.99.
Medium garnet color. Dense, complex and smoky nose of berry, toast
and dried cherry. Tannic mouthfeel - almost rustic in texture, with
a substantial dose of oak that nearly smothers the slightly tart/sour
fruit. 2000
Paul Avril Chateauneuf du Pape Clos de Papes. $38.99.
Dark ruby garnet color. Nose of smoked and roasted meats, raspberry,
and hints of chocolate and orange zest. Full mouthfeel, delicious
fruit and taste, toasty and charry long finish. 1998
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes.
$49.99. Dark garnet ruby color. Smooth and seductive nose of
raspberry, orange peel, and lightly charred toast. Medium-full mouthfeel,
aged raspberry fruit, smooth long finish. 1999
Trevor Jones Shiraz Barossa Valley Wild Witch. $54.99.
Very dark ruby garnet color. Nose is a mass of blackberry, with
chocolate, mint and eucalyptus notes. Big and chewy mouthfeel, with
a 'Black Forest' compote of black cherry, vanilla, and chocolate
flavors, and a very long smooth finish. 1997
Cosentino Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Napa Valley. $52.99.
Dark garnet ruby color. Very ripe and concentrated nose of cassis
and toast. Big and very chewy mouthfeel, with lots of very ripe
flavors and long finish. 1997
Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1ere Trie. $47.99.
Light yellow-gold color. Lovely apricot and white peach aromas,
with a nice touch of apple-spice. Slightly sweet mouthfeel, delicious
fruity taste, and long smooth finish. 1996
Delesvaux Coteaux du Layon Selection des Grains Nobles Artist
Series. 500ml. $35.99. Medium gold color. Nose of apricot,
poached pear and spice, roasted grain, with a touch of sweet lemon.
Very smooth in mouthfeel, excellent fruit and balance, and a long
finish.
Blandy's Malmsey 15 Years Old. $34.99. Cola in color.
Nose of a light tawny port, with just a touch of citron and pear.
Big in mouthfeel, with nice fruit and balance, but complicated by
an overiding sense of heat. |
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No original material may be reproduced without written consent Mail & Comments - Eric Anderson Last Update 10.20.02 |