From Notes taken June, 2006:Wine of Merit: ****Notorious, Patricia Green Cellars, Yamhill County pinot noir, 2004: It’s a big promise – and it delivers. Nice. Very burgundian – but clearly from Oregon - with earth, black truffle, cola and ripe black cherry. Nutmeg and Asian spices. A touch of pine needles.
****Chateau Gruaud Larose 1978: Wow. I have had this wine many times and it has never been this good. Surprisingly powerful right from the bottle. Nose of petrol, sous bois, ripe black fruit and menthol. Big. Palate is full, with a much greater purity of black and red fruit. Exotic spices. Finish is firm. Meal in a glass. The reason I fell in love with G-L many years ago.
*****Kongsgaard Cahrdonnay, 2003: Same as last time. Best new world chard I have ever had. Period. Orange marzipan, candied lemon zest, mascarpone. Chiffon, perfect meringue with a taste of hazelnut. Mission figs. The cocaine of chardonnay.
***+Donnhoff, Neiderhauser Hermansholle, Spatelese, troken, 2002: I am sure that the description is not the complete label – what is it with the Germans? Anyway, this Riesling is the real deal. Lichee, roasted pine nuts, anise – sweet but also spiced. Viscous but not cloying at all – focused and intense. A serious wine. I loved it and bought a case. Easy to drink a lot of. No wonder they Germans lost the war. They cracked a few of these and before you know it – wham!- here come the allies and Fritz can’t even stand up. Delish!
***++Aubert, Ritchie Vineyard, Chardonnay, 2004: Interesting wine. The palate is wonderful. Great, pear and meyer lemon. Nutmeg, anise. Bright and youthful, with great balance and integration. The color is downright cloudy. I mean like, cloudy chance of rain, cloudy. Perhaps it is not stabilized. Delicious.
***Ferrari Carano Cabernet Reserve, 1992: A serious wine with a groovy label. I have always liked this cab – it shows great grip, dust tannins and wonderfully full, fruit driven mouth feel across the entire palate. Probably a touch better younger – this wine still pleases as it has gained in stature and sophistication, showing some bramble and pepper along side the black fruit and menthol. Solid.
*****Kongsgaard Cahrdonnay, 2003: Same as last time. Best new world chard I have ever had. Period. Orange marzipan, candied lemon zest, mascarpone. Chiffon, perfect meringue with a taste of hazelnut. Mission figs. The cocaine of chardonnay.
***+Donnhoff, Neiderhauser Hermansholle, Spatelese, troken, 2002: I am sure that the description is not the complete label – what is it with the Germans? Anyway, this Riesling is the real deal. Lichee, roasted pine nuts, anise – sweet but also spiced. Viscous but not cloying at all – focused and intense. A serious wine. I loved it and bought a case. Easy to drink a lot of. No wonder they Germans lost the war. They cracked a few of these and before you know it – wham!- here come the allies and Fritz can’t even stand up. Delish!
***++Aubert, Ritchie Vineyard, Chardonnay, 2004: Interesting wine. The palate is wonderful. Great, pear and meyer lemon. Nutmeg, anise. Bright and youthful, with great balance and integration. The color is downright cloudy. I mean like, cloudy chance of rain, cloudy. Perhaps it is not stabilized. Delicious.
***Ferrari Carano Cabernet Reserve, 1992: A serious wine with a groovy label. I have always liked this cab – it shows great grip, dust tannins and wonderfully full, fruit driven mouth feel across the entire palate. Probably a touch better younger – this wine still pleases as it has gained in stature and sophistication, showing some bramble and pepper along side the black fruit and menthol. Solid.
No comments:
Post a Comment