Virtual Community Tasting Event (VCTE) II

VCTE II was a success again. Great fun to chat about these wines on skype from Hong Kong, to Finland, to Pennsylvania, to California!

• 2003 Château Greysac 86 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc

  Decanted for an hour. Appearance: Ruby red with a violet edge to it (4/5). Nose: initially quite reticent, some cigar box, a whiff of toasty oak, red fruit like cherries coming out. Quite nice, but not very powerful. With more air time, the cigar box component becomes more clear, also a side whiff of sweaty socks. With even more air time the oakiness suddenly kicked in, the wine became very oaky on the nose, even notes of dill (10/15). Palate: clear red berries and sour cherries on the palate with a bit of oak and a bit of tannins giving the wine a nice structure, also some vegetableness in the background. This is quite a restrained wine at the moment, but enjoyable (15/20). Overall: this was an enjoyable wine, nothing spectacular, but restrained and even elegant. Went very well with food. However, the oakiness that came out after extended air time was not that good in my opinion. I’ve never smelled dill in a wine before! My number four of the VCTE (7/10).
  
  Click here if you have any questions, this wine was part of VCTE II

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• 2003 E. Guigal Gigondas 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

  Decanted for an hour. Appearance: Ruby red with a violet edge to it (4/5). Nose: quite bright and dandy! Rasberry very clearly and a hint of leather (12/15). Palate: quite a lot of tannins is the immediate impression, with loads of red fruit like cherries. Mmm, yes, this is very nice! (16/20). Overall: yet another new Rhone area for me, Gigondas. I like this, very nice wine that is good with food and on its own. My number two of the VCTE (8/10).
  
  Click here if you have any questions, this wine was part of VCTE II

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• 2004 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 92 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Decanted for 2 hours. Appearance: a fairly dark red with a violet edge to it, still looking young (4/5). Nose: quite expressive, lots of red fruit coming out, like cherries, with a hint of leather in the background, very nice aromas! When I lifted the glass to my lips, there sudden whiff of toasty oak, just fleeting. After a couple of hours more, the leather comes out more strongly, as well as a hint of licorice and some cigar box. Next day, there were more meaty notes, some red blood coming through. (13/15). Palate: very smooth, tannins well integrated, not obvious at all. Red fruits coming out, sour cherries, quite delicious, leaving a bitter finish (16/20). Overall: my first Beaucastel, and it is good! This one is surprisingly ready for drinking, perhaps the notes of leather will develop more strongly with time. My number one of the VCTE (9/10).
  
  Click here if you have any questions, this wine was part of VCTE II

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• 2003 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costasera 89 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Decanted for an hour. Appearance: quite a dark brooding red with a violet edge to it (4/5). Nose: heavy aromas here, toasty oak coming through, pruny, raisiny smells (11/15). Palate: thick, raisiny, lots of tannins, but not very sweet. Quite a hot finish. After a couple of hours in the glass, the hotness disappeared, and the palate came together for a very pleasant taste, which got better over the course of 4 hours (16/20). Overall: my first Amarone since starting to keep notes. Quite a sturdy wine that definitely needs food to go with. My number three of the VCTE (8/10).
  
  Click here if you have any questions, this wine was part of VCTE II

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For me the two Rhone wines were the best. I will get more Gigondas and dream about more Beaucastel.