Short notes from dinner with Ronnie and the gang at Asian Dragon Seafood Restaurant to try out samples of Schlumberger and a few others.
All the Schlumbergers were from the entry-level Les Princes Abbes line.
Schlumberger Pinot Blanc 2004 - Quite dry, acidic. Bitter, abrupt finish. Not my type.
Schlumberger Sylvaner 2004 - Good fragrance. Very dry but has a Gewurz like fruit to it. OK.
Schlumberger Riesling 2004 - Good nose. Gentle. Well-balanced with a very light sweetness. Watery finish but otherwise good.
Schlumberger Pinot Gris 2004 - Nice sweetness. Lychee. This has a bit of body to it. Silky smooth. A hint of orange. Lovely. Very good.
Schlumberger Muscat 2004 - Good nose but light, lemony and bitter. No good.
Schlumberger Gewurztraminer 2004 - Classic Gewurz. Lychee, peach and rose. Good perfume. Light sweetness. Slightly bitter finish. Very good.
Henschke Littlehampton Innes Vineyard Pinot Gris 2003 - Spicy. Hollow. Very light. Lemon rind finish. No good.
Fontanafredda Barbera d'Alba Raimondo 2005 - Quite dry. Lacks fruit. Woody. Boring.
Zonin Amarone 2003 - A bit hot. Light Amarone. Bitter chocolate, tannic. Just a bit of raisins. Insubstantial Amarone. Not a good example of the type.
Hedges Red Mountain Reserve 2002 - From Washington. Red wine with no indication of grapes I could see on the label. A bit hot. Quite sweet. Medium bodied. Still a bit tannic. Generic tasting red. Boring.