Man O' War Tasting & Late Night Wine Down

1855 and Meyer Rd
Tasted Friday, November 1, 2013 - Saturday, November 2, 2013 by Derek Darth Taster with 354 views

Introduction

2 Whites and 2 Reds from New Zealand. Followed by a late night meet-up over wine.

Flight 1 - Man O' War Tasting (4 Notes)

Tasting at 1855 with M guiding me through. My taste buds were a bit off that day. Was also blinded with a young St Emilion Red, and I guessed Rhone Valley - way off.

2012 Man O' War Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Waiheke Island

(11/1/2013)

Light fruity nose. Fresh, crisp and fruity. The Semillon adds a slight chalky minerality which makes the Sauvignon Blanc feel just a touch more full-bodied. Nice finish.

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2011 Man O' War Vineyards Chardonnay Valhalla

New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Waiheke Island

(11/1/2013)

Smoky, roasted oak nose. Ripe fruits on the palate. Well-balanced. Good mouth-feel and lovely nose.

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2009 Man O' War Vineyards Ironclad

New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Waiheke Island

(11/1/2013)

Deep purple colour. Nose rather muted. Full-bodied but smooth on the palate. Unyielding in character, I really had to delve deep into this to discern the flavours. Dark fruits and berries, some graphite, and spice towards the long finish. Young. Give this wine a few more years.
A blend of 34.4% Cab Franc, 31.4% Merlot, 22.4% Malbec, 4.8% Cab Sauv, 7% Petit Verdot.

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2010 Man O' War Vineyards Syrah Dreadnought

New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Waiheke Island

(11/1/2013)

Deep purple colour. Fruity nose. Full-bodied with berries, plums and spice. Taste is clean and a little one-dimensional. Firm tannins. Still young. Needs a few more years to soften up.

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Flight 2 - Late Night Meet-up (2 Notes)

Usual style. One bottle each.

2000 Château Lafon-Rochet 88 Points

France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Saint-Estèphe

(11/1/2013)

Contributed by Jess. Popped and poured. 1st whiff a mix of earth, leather and barnyard that made me think of Brunello. Nothing but big tannins in the mouth. Left it to air in the decanter.
With air, it opened up to show its Bordeaux nose, which was rather modest. On the palate, dark grapes, blackberries, tobacco, and lots of mouth-puckering tannins. Long finish.
This wine needs food. We had some chips which helped to combat the tannins a little. 13 years on, this wine is still going strong. Hopefully with more years it can reveal more flavours and smoothen out.

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2008 Giuseppe Quintarelli Primofiore Veneto IGT 89 Points

Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT

(11/1/2013)

1 hour in the decanter: Sweet herbs and green chilli on the nose. On the palate sweet cherries, but also a pervading presence of green bell peppers. Medium to long finish.
2 hours on: Nose started to reveal chocolate notes. Sweet red fruits and the vegetal flavours were still present.
I probably missed all these aromas and flavours the last time I tried this wine as I had tried it only after a 3 hour decant. Somehow I didn't quite enjoy this as much as I did the first time.

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