Friday Afternoon

Last minute gathering of a few slackers. An interesting day with some unusual wines.

• 2014 Denbies Whitedowns 88 Points

  United Kingdom, England, Surrey

  Light gold color. Drank 2 glasses over an hour. This was the first time trying this British producer. An interesting blend with the predominant grape being 54% Seyval Blanc and the balance 34% PN, 8% C, and 4% PB. There is a very fine bead as others have noted, though I thought it faded relatively quickly. The nose is fairly typical with nice yeasty and bread first and then more green apple fruits with hints of grapefruit, and it is a little floral with a reminder of apple blossoms. I would say the nose is a step above the palate here, though the palate is certainly good. Good acid, green apple, some sharper citrus notes with grapefruit, citrus pith and then later I got some passion fruit and a touch of earthy minerality. All in all, very good. 88+ to 89pts.

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• 2010 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  Light medium gold color. PNP, drank 1+ glass over an hour. This needed some air to settle down. It was rather oaky and buttery at first both on the nose and palate. With a good 30 minutes this turned down the oak and found itself settling in more. Good lemon and tangerine fruits, oily, wood spice, concentrated with a long finish. I can still enjoy this, and much more after the air, but it really isn't what I prefer. It would be interesting to see whether this can age further and integrate that oak before it falls apart. Today's bottle would suggest that there is plenty of life left, so i may give it a try. 91+ to 92pts.

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• 2009 Villa Francioni Comendador 87 Points

  Brazil, Santa Catarina

  Dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 90 minutes plus. A blend of M, CS, CF, Malbec and Syrah. The nose starts off with a bold smoky note, charcoal, dark cherry, herbal, French oak. The palate is medium full bodied, dark raspberry, ripe berries, black cherry, pepper, a touch of funk, and a green streak that hits mid palate and on the finish. Pretty good, but the green streak holds it back somewhat for me. Well made.

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• 1983 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Medium dark red color, slight 6mm transitional margin. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 3 hours. This was a very pleasant surprise. I originally got this for an old Napa tasting and we didn't end up using it. So I've been chomping at the bit to drink it. I like Flora Springs in general, but have not had anything more than 12 years old, so I was not sure what to expect. This bottle was pristine - you'd never expect this to be 33 years old. The cork was perfect, barely had 5mm of color to it. There's a great aromatic perfume from the start, lots of mint/eucalyptus, dried earth, a little funk and bright red fruits. The palate has great energy, lifted, red cherry, medium body, mint, feminine and well integrated, red berry, leaf tobacco, long finish. Loved it. Will have to look for more older bottles.

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• 2006 Greenock Creek Shiraz Apricot Block 88 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

  Purple red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 90 minutes. I vaguely remember having had this in the past. Somehow the shockingly high 18.5% ABV slipped my memory. I will say it is fairly remarkable how it hides most of the alcohol. There is some on the back end of the palate, but not nearly what you might expect. That being said, it is what you might expect in terms of a very ripe, liqueurish type of wine. On the nose: milk chocolate, blackberry liqueur, blackberry, port-like, kirsch, pepper and a little alcohol. The palate is dense and chewy, tons of glycerin, black raspberry and blackberry liqueur, chocolate, very ripe, pepper and wood with a little alcohol again on the end. Might have been better with some BBQ to pair with, as it was, only the creamy Cambazola blue could cut through it. Reminds me of Amarone as well as Port. 88+pts.

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• 2007 Clarendon Hills Syrah Liandra 90 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Clarendon

  Purple red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over an hour. Very enjoyable nose, plenty of savory, meatiness, some earth and lots of black fruits and dried spice. The palate is consistent, balanced, full bodied, dense black fruits, meat, mineral.

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• 2010 Château Suduiraut Lions de Suduiraut 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Light gold color. Drank 1 glass form 375ml. Very bright, tangerine, grapefruit, spiced. The palate is also bright, good acid, orange, pineapple, apricot, honey spice. Would be fun to see how these age after 10 or more years, but I don't see that happening.

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