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Wines on a lovely late summer's evening on the Thames

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keith prothero

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Wines on a lovely late summer's evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:09 am

  • 1997 Alain Graillot Hermitage - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage (9/26/2006)
    Plum colour;,warm floral bouquet with coffee/mocha and toast.This wine has immediate appeal,with the flavour of raspberries,great texture and very rich oily finish.This is one of the best Rhones I have drunk this year.Just beautiful. (95 pts.)
  • 1999 Meerlust Rubicon - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch (9/26/2006)
    Ruby/purple colour.Gorgeous bouquet of black fruit,cassis ,vanilla and oak. Intense flavours on the palate of blackcurrents,rich creamy texture,very elegant and nice length. (92 pts.)
  • 2003 M. Chapoutier St. Joseph Blanc Les Granits - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (9/26/2006)
    yellow,almost straw colour.Fruit , nuts and light spice.Plenty of depth on palate,fabulously warm and rounded and lovely richness.Great balance and acidity to last well.This is a lovely wine which will probably improve. (92 pts.)

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Bob Parsons Alberta

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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:01 am

I should imagine the Graillot would be topnotch, Keith. Have never been able to find anything over here/up here!!!
The St Joseph, a blend of viognier, marsanne, rousanne???
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by jamiegoode » Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:07 am

Pinotage would probably taste great in that setting, Keith. When do you depart for warmer climes?
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:11 am

Thats pretty cool, Keith, Jamie and Bob all in one thread....and all from the UK. We are taking over.

Hey Jamie, any more pics from the harvesting?
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keith prothero

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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:46 am

Bob, Its pure Marsanne- from old vines-------just brilliant.

Jamie----off in 4 weeks. Are you still OK for the Overton offline.If so I can give you a lift,there and back.----with my driver of course!! :)
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Bob Henrick » Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:33 pm

keith prothero wrote:
  • 2003 M. Chapoutier St. Joseph Blanc Les Granits - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (9/26/2006)
    yellow,almost straw colour.Fruit , nuts and light spice.Plenty of depth on palate,fabulously warm and rounded and lovely richness.Great balance and acidity to last well.This is a lovely wine which will probably improve. (92 pts.)


Hi Keith, I believe you are a relative newcomer to the forum so <b>welcome</b> to the best wine stop on the internet. About the white Rhone though, I am surprised that the wine was able to keep it's balance regarding acidity. I would have thought that being from the '03 vintage it might have been just a bit fat. It is good to hear of one though that is not.
Bob Henrick
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Michael Malinoski » Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:43 pm

Keith, thanks for the note on the '97 Graillot Hermitage. I was not a fan of the '97 Crozes Hermitage, so guess I had sort of in my mind discounted their '97's altogether. Sounds like my (very first ever :wink: ) mistake. Thanks again.

-Michael
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Wed Sep 27, 2006 1:35 am

Bob, This wine is unusual for white rhones in that it is 100% Marsanne from 80 year old vines and is picked quite late.It is a lovely sensuous wine,relatively expensive but worth it!!
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Jenise » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:09 am

Keith! Good notes. Say, I've got a few bottles of an 03 South African Cabernet Sauvignon here I've never read a tasting note on nor heard anyone else mention, and I wonder what you think of it: it's called Conde. Likewise, I've never read a TN that I know of on a Mulderbosch Beta Centauri, though I'm very familiar with Mulderbosch's white wines, but I recently grabbed an 02 when I saw it. I think that wine's availability over here is extremely rare--this is the only bottle I've ever laid eyes on. Would appreciate any comments and recommendations you might have for that one, too.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:33 am

Jenise, The Stark-Conde Conde range cab is a very impressive wine.It is made in very limited quantities,from extremely low yielding vines,which are hence beautifully concentrated. Although the wine is a hefty 15% abv the wine is well balanced,and will definately benefit from a few years bottle age.The 2003 is probably the best vintage for some years.
Will get back to you on the Mulderbosch later.
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:11 pm

I have not tasted recent vintages of the Beta Centauri although I do know the 98 was really outstanding.
Understand the 2002 needs a few more years,but I promise to look out for it when I get back to the Cape,later next month and will post a note.
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Jenise » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:13 pm

Keith, thank you. The fellow I bought the Conde from said it was possibly the best South African cabernet he ever tasted, and he knows that unlike most of his customers I'll call him a big fat liar if I am disappointed :wink:, but at the same time a few of his choices have mystified. A more objective opinion is most appreciated. In the meantime I'm happy to let these rest. No need to rush, I have plenty other wines to drink.

Oh, and while I have you on the line: Thelema. Are you familiar with their track record for aging? I've got a handful of 00 and 01s, and am thinking it's about time to try one of the former. I can give them all the time they need and they seemed like wines that could go a decade or more, but I'm flying blind here....
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:34 pm

Thelema is certainly one of my favourite Cape wineries. Especially love their Cab and Merlot. Recently their 99 Cab was voted WOTN in a blind tasting I organised,against stiff opposition from the old and new world.
The wines do age well--------certainly a minimum of 5 years and ideally up to 10.
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Jenise » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:36 pm

Keith, that's splendid. I have a few of the merlots as well--unlike most Norte Americanos, I have no aversion to that grape, and South Africa does some amazing things with it. A 99 or 00 Vergelegen a few months ago was just ungodly.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Thelema

by Charles Weiss » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:46 pm

A note from the 1992 at age 9:

  • 1992 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch (3/1/2001)
    Purchased 5/96 after tasting it somewhere on release and being impressed.
    Bottle 3/01 Color just starting to brick and still a young wine with excellent concentration of blackcurrant fruit, unobtrusive oak, excellent acid balance.


Thanks Keith for reminding me. I have an orphan bottle I should find and uncork.
Charles
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Re: Thelema

by Jenise » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:52 pm

Charles, thanks for digging out that TN. That's the kind of performance I hope for.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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keith prothero

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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:10 am

Jenise, I live next door to Vergelegen and have a guest cottage---so if you and your partner wish to stay for free in paradise,you are most welcome 8)
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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by Jenise » Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:43 am

Keith, re your generous offer--if you're serious, then I am too when I say that we've talked about going to South Africa next year. We will be travelling with another pair of wine lovers, though; does the cottage sleep four?
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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keith prothero

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Re: Wines on a lovely late summers evening on the Thames

by keith prothero » Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:56 am

Not really but no problems,if you give me enough notice,one couple can sleep downstairs in our house and the other in the guest wing----its not really a cottage,just an extension to the main house. Nothing fancy but comfortable.

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