2004 Thierry Puzelat "In Cot We Trust" Tourraine AOC Dark color with some red highlights. Sharp, peppery nose. Very light mouth feel-not thin per se, but no oak or "richness either. Very sharp, high acid, tart but with a great peppery and lively character and a a long but somewhat bitter finish. My biggest question about this wine: I think it tastes more like a Puzelat wine than a "cot" (Malbec). Not sure this is a "problem," just an obnservation about Puzelat wines-they taste very much like Puzelat wines, be they Gamay or, in this case, Malbec. I like this "style" or "school" of wines, but am not sure the typicite is real evident here? Interesting contrast with the Aussie blend and big oaky Napa cab which followed. 89 points, but I like it!
"Man is Not a Camel" Camelback (2004) South Australia Mouvedre, Grenache, Tempranillo. Definitely dominated by the Grenache, which provided a strong foundation of tart strawberry. Nice medium rich mouthfeel-only 13.8 % abv nominal. Very nice quaffer-more fruit than the Puzelat but still pretty lean and high in food-friendly acidity. 88/89 points.
2004 Caravan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Darioush Second Label) Rich, big, earthy, dark, and smooth fruit forward Napa Cab. Not my style, but the rich French oak seems to be handled very well, with good integration and no nasty blast of vanilla. "Smooth" is the operative word here. Not a lot of acidity, but not really flabby, either... Good example of the type and school of winemaking? 86 points.
