Platinum.
Pungent citrus peel, grass, slight jalapeno and some cat piss. Very cool, intense, lifted aromatics. Smells like a NZ SB.
Vibrant, but very light impression in the mouth. Mineral/stone chew on the front teeth. Label says 12% alcohol - funny, as the palate reminds me of Federspiels from Austria. Very precise, driving flavors that mirror the nose.
Great summer wine. Also very useful for re-calibrating your mouth during a big red tasting.
$14
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Algueira Ribeira Sacra (Spain) 2004
Red.
Gamey, spicy nose, hint of red fruit. Smells like something from the Languedoc.
Medium to light-weight impression, acid-driven, with little oak-influence showing (label says 12 months in French).
Iron, light red cherry and spice in the mouth. Intriguing. I imagine food-pairing geeks would love this.
100% Mencia, and completely different from anything I've had from Bierzo.
Day 3 - This has deepened considerably - now doing the meat and potato skin thing I've gotten from Palacios' Petalos bottling.
$23
Gamey, spicy nose, hint of red fruit. Smells like something from the Languedoc.
Medium to light-weight impression, acid-driven, with little oak-influence showing (label says 12 months in French).
Iron, light red cherry and spice in the mouth. Intriguing. I imagine food-pairing geeks would love this.
100% Mencia, and completely different from anything I've had from Bierzo.
Day 3 - This has deepened considerably - now doing the meat and potato skin thing I've gotten from Palacios' Petalos bottling.
$23
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
d'Arenberg "Laughing Magpie" Shiraz/Viognier 2005
Deep purple/red.
Deep nose of nuts, spice, leather and hints of black fruit.
Intense and a bit brutal, which is par for the course with this bottling (and any d'A not dominated by Grenache).
Acid/tannin synergy just shuts this thing down immediately. To quote the Sex Pistols - "No Fun" - and no complexity either.
I just don't understand what pleasure people find in these bottles.
Day 3 - Nose a bit more expansive, slight saline nuance now. Palate has more give too, but I continue to be put off by an intrusive acid/tannin wallop that seems manipulated. I'd love to know what this wine's pH would be without acidulation.
$25
Deep nose of nuts, spice, leather and hints of black fruit.
Intense and a bit brutal, which is par for the course with this bottling (and any d'A not dominated by Grenache).
Acid/tannin synergy just shuts this thing down immediately. To quote the Sex Pistols - "No Fun" - and no complexity either.
I just don't understand what pleasure people find in these bottles.
Day 3 - Nose a bit more expansive, slight saline nuance now. Palate has more give too, but I continue to be put off by an intrusive acid/tannin wallop that seems manipulated. I'd love to know what this wine's pH would be without acidulation.
$25
Te Kairanga "Runholder" Pinot Noir Martinborough (NZ)
Rose/red.
Light red fruit, herbs and underbrush nose. Lack of concentration already apparent.
Broad mouthfeel, but little flavor to speak of. Actually, this has almost nothing going on.
$25?
This blows.
Light red fruit, herbs and underbrush nose. Lack of concentration already apparent.
Broad mouthfeel, but little flavor to speak of. Actually, this has almost nothing going on.
$25?
This blows.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Palacios "Finca Dofi" Priorat 2004
Deep purple/red.
Definitely oak-influenced, but very suave and sophisticated treatment. Toasted nut and brown spices lead off, with deep black raspberry liqueur/jam and a hint of citrus that lifts the nose. Packed.
Deep, sweet palate-impression. Very harmonious in the mouth, front to back. Alcohol evident, but doesn't detract. Not at all lacking in structure, but the seamless, concentrated palate hides it well.
Day 4 - Oak treatment has taken a charred/tarry quality, but the flavor and structure depth here is remarkable. Definitely for the cellar. I'd say 8-10 years.
$65
Definitely oak-influenced, but very suave and sophisticated treatment. Toasted nut and brown spices lead off, with deep black raspberry liqueur/jam and a hint of citrus that lifts the nose. Packed.
Deep, sweet palate-impression. Very harmonious in the mouth, front to back. Alcohol evident, but doesn't detract. Not at all lacking in structure, but the seamless, concentrated palate hides it well.
Day 4 - Oak treatment has taken a charred/tarry quality, but the flavor and structure depth here is remarkable. Definitely for the cellar. I'd say 8-10 years.
$65
Santa Cruz de Artazu 2004 Navarra (Spain)
Deep red.
Red cherry/raspberry liqueur, with subtle oak spice, citrus and earth underneath. Refined, but shows a bit of alcohol.
Vibrant and intense in the mouth, with alcohol again intruding slightly. Red fruit core runs through the middle-palate. This is bound up - needs time. Minerally finish.
High-altitude Garnacha.
Day 4 - This is broader and easier in the mouth, but remains intense, spicy/minerally with a bit of heat.
Nose now reveals a deep raspberry liqueur character. I'll sit on the remaining bottles for 3-4 years.
$34
Red cherry/raspberry liqueur, with subtle oak spice, citrus and earth underneath. Refined, but shows a bit of alcohol.
Vibrant and intense in the mouth, with alcohol again intruding slightly. Red fruit core runs through the middle-palate. This is bound up - needs time. Minerally finish.
High-altitude Garnacha.
Day 4 - This is broader and easier in the mouth, but remains intense, spicy/minerally with a bit of heat.
Nose now reveals a deep raspberry liqueur character. I'll sit on the remaining bottles for 3-4 years.
$34
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Joguet Chinon (Loire Valley) "Clos de la Dioterie" 2003
Deep red/purple.
Bordeaux-ish nose of toast, charcoal, fresh green bean, earth/clay, spice, deep black fruit and a black licorice/medicinal nuance.
Middle-weight. Oak barely noticed in the mouth, with an earth/brick character, black fruit and a very nice mid-palate flavor surge. Lots of material here. Tannin is abundant, but does not overwhelm. This will certainly reward cellaring.
This is day 2, as we drank 1/2 of this last night at Canela.
Hot vintage, cool region Cabernet Franc. Good recipe.
$30?
Bordeaux-ish nose of toast, charcoal, fresh green bean, earth/clay, spice, deep black fruit and a black licorice/medicinal nuance.
Middle-weight. Oak barely noticed in the mouth, with an earth/brick character, black fruit and a very nice mid-palate flavor surge. Lots of material here. Tannin is abundant, but does not overwhelm. This will certainly reward cellaring.
This is day 2, as we drank 1/2 of this last night at Canela.
Hot vintage, cool region Cabernet Franc. Good recipe.
$30?
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