Taste the Terroir Difference

Martin Wine Cellar, Metairie, LA
Tasted Thursday, October 23, 2008 by Rossodio with 677 views

Introduction

A tasting of many top wines released recently at Martin Wine Cellar in Metairie, LA. I don't have any detailed notes from any of the wines, but have my scrawled notes converted to short blurbs with my scores here.

Flight 1 - Red and White Burgundies (7 Notes)

A phenomenal table filled with plenty of excellent though financially inaccessible wines, this was clearly my favorite flight.

Flight 2 - Italy and Provence (5 Notes)

An interesting rosato, a solid value Vin du Pays, and a classic Chianti Classico dot this flight.

  • 2007 Castello di Ama Rosato Toscana IGT 87 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Soft, but with nice body and a nice acidity that is not razor sharp. Soft and smooth, and a decent value for a rosato that's refreshing.

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  • 2006 Triennes Viognier Sainte Fleur 88 Points

    France, Provence, Var

    A bit more smooth than other viogniers I've had. Honeysuckle on the nose and palate, with nice soft yellow fruit. Not bad.

    EDIT: Had my next bottle, which I had been holding on to, at a friend's dinner party on 3/15/09. Over the last 5 months, this wine's acidity seems to actually have brightened. Now, it carries muted floral tones and citrus fruit on the nose, bright citrus on the palate, with a slight hint of sancerre-like qualities on the palate, and a relatively short but crisp finish. It held up well even to the shepherds pie we had tonight, but was very surprising for a viognier -- no one guessed it was a viognier, and a couple of folks thought it was a Sancerre (though in my opinion it is missing the heart of sancerres' noses and palates). Interesting. Still would rate 88 points, but drink up, as the acidity will likely hang on while the softer notes fade.

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  • 2004 Triennes Var St Auguste 87 Points

    France, Provence, Var

    Clearly, this is a cab/syrah blend. The midpalate is a bit weak but this is otherwise a nice wine. Dries the motuh on the finish, leaving a desire for another sip.

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  • 2005 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

    Very old world and traditional in style, with strong tannins. It needs 5 years and may benefit from 10. 89 for now, but this rating will go up as the years pass by.

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  • 2005 Collazzi Toscana IGT 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    The bit of Cab Franc in this wine clearly presents tiself as a bit of perfuminess on the nose, with a nice palate expressing both the Cab Franc and the Cab Sauv. Good balance, solid acidity, and fine tannins. I think in 5-7 years this wine will be absolutely phenomenal.

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Flight 3 - Alsace and USA (5 Notes)

A couple of Alsace wines whose unexpected sweetness clearly speak to the 2006 vintage's bad weather, and some miscellaneous American wines.

Flight 4 - High-End USA Wines (4 Notes)

A few of the top cult wines from the US are presented at this table, along with a single vineyard Pinot and its less interesting little brother.

Closing

I tried some wines here I will not be able to afford bottles of for many years, and am glad I paid the small $30 fee to get in to the tasting. I have heard rumors of a 1er/2ieme cru Sauternes tasting coming up in January there - I can't wait.

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