Wine Tasting on 2-27-09

Piroca is on the way back from Carnival but still absent. We had a small tasting. Uncle–K is said to be in India probably tasting Indian cabernet. Present were Uncle-E, Winepath, Jimmy, and Uncle-N. We blind tasted 5 wines.

1. Chateau Cote Montpezat 2000, Score=2~2+

Color is dark garnet. Nose has slight funk with herbs, lanolin and green pepper. Palate is rather austere with muted black fruits with mid palate of bacon or roasted meat ending in firm tannin and well-matched acidity. Uncle-E said “weak on fruits but strong in structure”. Initial impression was Italian (winepath), French (Uncle-E) but not Bordeaux, probably Southern France. But after some re-sniffing and re-tasting and some unintended help from Uncle-N, consensus was that this was from France probably Bordeaux. This was indeed Bordeaux, Cotes de Castillon to be exact (right bank) and made of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10 % Cabernet Sauvignon. So our tasters were pretty on the money.

GV gave 90 “COLOR-dark; NOSE-some green pepper; sour cherries and black currant busting out; ; TASTE-broccoli tops on the mid-palate and cherry sweetness on the back-end; silkiness; medium bodied; smooth richness of fruit on the back-end; good floral rose petals on the mid-palate; silky smooth; elegant & balanced; good firm tannins; really nice greenness (bell peppers); a Cab Franc play; a little black pepper/beef jerky on the finish; will last 3-5 years; GV-90”

Again, most for us, except for Uncle-E, this is bit too austere, but with food this will be more enjoyable.

2. Chateau Pesquie Les Terrasses 2006, Score=2+~3

This was a quite contrast from the first wine. We cannot complain about the color; Nicely dark. Nose is fragrant with blackberry, blueberry with hint of spice (Clove) but no funk. Palate is fruits driven with sweet cherry fruits, nice smooth texture and well-integrated tannin with citrus finish. For Uncle-E this is too sweet or bit candied in taste. Some said it was Australian Syrah and others that it was not Australian but could not place it. This was offered by Uncle-N since the first wine and this wines were from France but totally different in style. Obviously, this one is more appealing to (unsophisticated) American palate but, nevertheless, very pleasant wine to drink. This is from Cotes de Vetoux, which is located between Rhône and Provence under the shadow of Mont Ventoux--one of the most famous mountains in France (2,000 m, 6300ft. This mountain marks the gate between the Rhône and Provence. For the price, this is a good everyday wine.

90 Points - Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)
"The unfined/unfiltered 2006 Les Terrasses Rouge, a custom cuvee made for American importer Eric Solomon, is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Its’ deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a lovely bouquet of black currants, black cherries, licorice, smoke, roasted herbs, and melted licorice. Deep and full-bodied with velvety tannins, good acidity, and a long finish, this is a heck-of-a wine to drink over the next 4-5 years."

3. Bodegas Los Astrales Ribera del Duero 2003, Score=3

Nose bit closed but pleasant without any funk. Palate is nice with nice black fruits with well-integrated tannin. Relatively long finish. Uncle-N was of the opinion that this is a new World wine made in an old world style. Fruits are well controlled rather than fruits bomb. We all liked this wine. Since we tasted many Bordeaux-style California Reds and Cab, we thought that this could be an example of those kind of wines. This turned out to be Astrales 2003. Uncle-N immediately recalled that we tasted another Astrales (it was 2005 and we tasted it on December 8, 08). In that tasting note, we said “This wine is walking the line between new and old world and is very successful in doing that.” And also quoted from Wine Enthusiast; "This is a huge and impressive step up from the 2003 Astrales, which was fine but not at this level.” We did not identify what this was but at least we were consistent with the previous evaluation. We are not sure in terms of comparing 03 and 05. Our memory is too faded but gave the same score.

Rated: 92 by Josh Raynolds, Sep/Oct 06
“Ruby-red. Pungent, intensely floral nose features deep notes of blackberry, black raspberry and boysenberry preserves. Rich and dense, with serious structure and weight; sweet, lively dark fruit flavors are complicated by bitter chocolate, licorice and black pepper. The flavors build and deepen through the finish, which is sweet, focused and long, with a gentle suggestion of dusty tannins. Give this some time.”

We are not sure about the “pungent, intensely floral nose” he is describing.

4. Spier Private Collection Pinotage 2006, score=2

This is a stinker; Nose is unique with burned rubber and funk, which sort of overwhelms other smells. Palate is much better than it smells (there was some serious discussion here of this combination). Although fruits are bit muted, nicely balanced fruits with nice tannin and reasonable finish. We thought of non-European, non-North American heritage for this wine. May be Chilean cab, Argentinean, and in passing South Africa was also mentioned. This happed to be Pinotage from South Africa. Very interesting but the nose will be bit difficult to handle (at least for us).

5. Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz 2007, Score=3

Jimmy disappeared and came back with a covered bottle. It has a screw cap and as soon as it was poured (almost black), Uncle-N declared M-D Shiraz and Winepath remembered the name “Boxer”. Nose and palate are classic M-D Shiraz.

Here is Sparky and Sarah have to say, “WOW! Complexed by combining the regional flavours of grapes from McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Padthaway, this wine has incredible power and purity. As you know, Mollydooker means Aussie for left-hander, so the label depicts a boxer with two left gloves; sure to knock you out! The 2006 was an enormous hit, after receiving 94 points by Jay Miller at The Wine Advocate and chosen as the 3rd Best Value Red Wine from Australia by Harvey Steiman at The Wine Spectator with 90 points! Incredible Shiraz at an unbeatable price."