Virtual Community Tasting Event (VCTE) III

VCTE III had an interesting selection of wines. All were good, but the only one that I might get more of is the Fritz Haag. By the way, the Fritz Haag I tasted is not the one chosen for the VCTE, which was not available to me.

• 2006 E. Guigal Condrieu 88 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  Decanted for a couple of hours, but with a small pour initially tasted. A nice golden yellow with an almost oily consistency. The nose is initially very expressive, lots of peaches and sweet apricot and a bit of vanilla, smells quite sweet! On the palate it really is initially a bit smokey, but lots of peaches and apricots here as well. Not so sweet, but still the liquid conserving canned peaches comes to mind. Compared to the Fritz Haag, this has a kind of light mouth feel to it, kind of like floating on the clouds. Even after 4 hours of airtime, this wine still has that peachy, apricoty smell and taste to it. A very distinct wine, this is almost like a dessert wine without the sweetness. 50+5+12+14+7=88

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• 2007 Fritz Haag Riesling trocken 88 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Screw cap, cracked and poured. A very light straw yellow. Tasted at fridge temp, but allowed to warm up in the glass. A very expressive nose here as well, some peach, but with more of an acidic twang to it, like apple. Also some kind of unidentifiable tropical fruits. On the palate some nice acidity, crispy apples, very smooth and enjoyable. Just a slight bit of sweetness here, but this definitely attacks the palate, unlike the Guigal Condrieu. This was the most food friendly wine of the VCTE, went very well with fried perch fillets and mashed potatoes. 50+5+11+14+8=88

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• 2005 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 88 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Decanted for 4 hours. Very dark, almost black in colour with a violet tinge to it. Nose is initially very expressive, lots of cassis coming through with clear notes of oak in the background. This time the oak seems to fit in nicely with the fruity smells, let’s see what happens with more airtime. After 4 hours of airtime, there are distinct notes of licorice and the oakey smells turn into vanilla-like aromas. Quite delicious! On the palate this is not the fruit bomb I was expecting, although lots of cassis (distinctly cassis) coming through and oak also, but it’s not bothering me as it usually does. Maybe it is more integrated here than in the wines where it has bothered me? Tannins are quite strong. This is a big fruity wine, quite nice, but still not quite my style of wine. I like this, but at €40 per bottle I won’t be getting more. 50+4+12+15+7=88

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Great fun once again! Hopefully we continue with these Virtual Community Tasting Events!