by Jay Labrador » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:16 pm
Notes from a lazy Saturday at Arnie's Tagaytay home.
La Dame de Montrose 1999 - Mature rim. Very dry but with good fruit. Good balance with an acid kick in the finish to make this a great food wine. Still slightly tannic so this might improve a bit more with another year in the bottle but it's already very good to drink now.
Concha Y Toro Don Melchor 1991 - Still a vibrant, youthful hue although the it's not a deep color. Good nose. Slightly sweet with an herbal edge. Soft with fruit fading. A little vegetal. Didn't start out too well but improved in the glass. Still pretty good but drink up fast.
Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - Quite dark. Strong coffee on the nose. Good, sweet fruit. Soft and rich. Holding up very well and probably at peak now.
d'Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2001 - Lots of alcohol heat on the ripe raspberry nose. Rich, caramel/butterscotch candy. Raspberry syrup. A very good example of the full-blown Oz style although my tastes have moved away from this kind of wine. Good length and at peak now.
Mission Hill Family Estate SLC Merlot 2004 - From Okanagan, British Columbia. Deep color. A bit of heat. Dry, slightly bitter finish. There's a hollowness to this wine. Clumsy.
Grant Burge The Filsell Shairaz 2001 - Spicy/woody nose. Sweet oaky and soft. Not my type.
Domaine des Entrefaux Crozes Hermitage 2005 - Quite dark. Dried herbs and spices. Smoky. Bright acidity. Light bodied. Needs a bit more cellaring as the tannins are still a little obtrusive. Good, solid wine.
Three be the things I shall never attain:
Envy, content, and sufficient champagne.