New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
light ruby fading to pink - some age showing - cherry fruit - silky texture - light to medium body - good acidity - fruit seems less opulent then when tasted in March - fair length - won't last much longer. Bouquest became more powerful than the Mountadam PN 87 with exposure to air.
slightly deeper colour than the Martinborough '88 - showing about the same age - a more complex and forthcoming strawberry and mushroom smell - less sweet fruit but a better mid range palate - less fleshy perhaps more tannic - better balance.
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
opaque dark red holding to the edge - powerful minty and earthy bouquet - fruit and toasty oak well integrated (fruit predominating) - good acid - a lot of tannin - fruit not as ripe as suggested by the nose - fills out in taste by mid palate - quite a dry and a bit watery finish.
very purple - green, canned asparagus = dry toasted oak predominating - palate is not as green as the nose suggests, but the veges remain. silkier and more lingering finish than the Bowen Estates CS 1986
deep red colour fading to red brown - lovely classic French syrah nose - pepper, ripe blackberry fruit, hung game and lovely tobacco character - quite harmonious. tannins have faded and a lot of bottle age complexity - dry tobacco - if it had a bit more fruit this would be an outstanding Crozes.
vibrant fruity cassis smell - some vanilla from the oak - a nice aroma. sweet entry, smooth texture, nice fruit intensity - quite refined taste - drinking well now but will hold and get better - has claret proportions.
medium garnet - some age showing - minty blackcurrant and a pleasant stalky and very vanilla notes - medium body - very smooth and oaky - well balanced flavour with good length.
1988 Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir 80 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
light ruby fading to pink - some age showing - cherry fruit - silky texture - light to medium body - good acidity - fruit seems less opulent then when tasted in March - fair length - won't last much longer. Bouquest became more powerful than the Mountadam PN 87 with exposure to air.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1987 Mountadam Pinot Noir 82 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
slightly deeper colour than the Martinborough '88 - showing about the same age - a more complex and forthcoming strawberry and mushroom smell - less sweet fruit but a better mid range palate - less fleshy perhaps more tannic - better balance.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1986 Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 85 Points
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
opaque dark red holding to the edge - powerful minty and earthy bouquet - fruit and toasty oak well integrated (fruit predominating) - good acid - a lot of tannin - fruit not as ripe as suggested by the nose - fills out in taste by mid palate - quite a dry and a bit watery finish.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1987 Matua Cabernet Sauvignon 80 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Auckland
very purple - green, canned asparagus = dry toasted oak predominating - palate is not as green as the nose suggests, but the veges remain. silkier and more lingering finish than the Bowen Estates CS 1986
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1979 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermitage 88 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
deep red colour fading to red brown - lovely classic French syrah nose - pepper, ripe blackberry fruit, hung game and lovely tobacco character - quite harmonious. tannins have faded and a lot of bottle age complexity - dry tobacco - if it had a bit more fruit this would be an outstanding Crozes.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1984 Henschke Shiraz Hill of Grace 89 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Eden Valley
vibrant fruity cassis smell - some vanilla from the oak - a nice aroma. sweet entry, smooth texture, nice fruit intensity - quite refined taste - drinking well now but will hold and get better - has claret proportions.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1985 Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Coronas Reserva Mas La Plana 87 Points
Spain, Catalunya, Penedès
medium garnet - some age showing - minty blackcurrant and a pleasant stalky and very vanilla notes - medium body - very smooth and oaky - well balanced flavour with good length.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
1985 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 88 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
fairly light colour fading to pink - slight hint of brown. Solid commercial style. Very good.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No