- 2000 Quinta do Vallado Douro Reserva - Portugal, Douro (8/7/2008)
Popped and poured last night. Deep in colour, the nose almopst leaped out of the glass - powerful, porty earthy notes were evident. Quite powerful on the palate too, with a nice complexity to it. Lots of redfruits and blackfruits were on show, with tar and earth noes as well. Nice velvety mouthfeel, and some elegance with all that power. In a nice place right now, but certainly got better as the night progressed, so it should last a few years easily. (A-) - 2002 La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (8/7/2008)
Golden in colour, with a lovely, powerful nose full of minerals, honey, and musty fruit. Classic chablis on the palate too, with a pretty rich mouthfeel (one person would have liked more acidity, but I didn't think it was an issue), more mineral notes, a hint of lime, and a lovely finish. Fairly evolved for a 2002, but I'm glad to have 2 more bottles to stash away for several years. Very nice chablis. (A-) - 2001 Paul Blanck Gewürztraminer Furstentum Vieilles Vignes - France, Alsace, Kientzheim & Sigolsheim, Alsace Grand Cru AOC (8/6/2008)
Hazy notes. Golden in colour, classic gewurtz nose, and fairly viscous mouthfeel, a hint of residual sugar on the palate, along with honeysuckle, rosewater, and pineapple. A powerful style of Alsace gewurtz. Just as good as my previous bottle, with not much of the soapy note I found earlier. In a nice place right now, but would last a couple of years yet. I'd drink fairly soon. (A-)
I think my fiend liked the gewurtz the best, but the chablis was my favourite. But all three wines were very good, with not a lot between them.
Also had this recently: - 2003 Clos du Château de Mosny Montlouis-sur-Loire Moelleux - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire (7/20/2008)
Light gold in colour, with a moderately strong nose of apples, honey, and rotting hay. Mainly apples on the medium-bodied palate as well, with some honeyed pear, cinamon and pineapple as well. I liked this better on the second day, as the balance was better. More acidity would still be nice, though, and the complexity was a little lacking. Not sure if it's too young, just showing the hot vintage, or needs longer. I suspect the vintage. OK, but won't be buying more. (B+)