Short notes from last weekend's dinner at Arnie's place in Tagaytay.
Casa Rivas Gran Reserva Carmenere 2004 - Leafy, green nose. Rich and rather sweet but with a very dry finish. Still tannic. Needs time. Slightly too much oak.
Ventisquero Grey Merlot 2002 - Sweet, simple and oaky but not bad.
Ventisquero Carmenere Reserva 2005 - Smoky, sweet, rich. Just OK.
Valformosa Masia Freye Selection Especial Merlot Penedes 2003 - Spicy, good fruit with lots of acidity in the finish. Rather good.
Nobilo Icon Merlot 2004 - Quite advanced brown color but good fruit. Not bad.
For dessert we had 2 Pedro Ximenez wines from Gonzalez-Byass:
Pedro Ximenez Noe 30 years old VORS - Lots of acid, fruit. Very dark. Bitter, candied fruit rind character. Complex, layered and very long finish.
Pedro Ximenez Nectar - This is about a third of the price of the Noe. Seems much sweeter than the Noe. Lots of fruit, honey and caramel. Lacks the Noe's balancing acidity but still, a very good wine.