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New World Tasting
Crystal Wine
Tasted October 9, 2010 by ikileo with 695 views
Introduction
An assortment of new world tasting although skewing towards the reds and countries such as Australia and Chile.
Please note that all wines were tasted about 45minutes to 1 1/2 hours after they were opened. None were decanted and just to breathe in the bottle.
Flight 1 - Non-grassy Sauvvies (2 notes)
Overall I found them very approachable despite not being a NZ SB person. I felt the Delta edged out the Dog Point by just a hair.
White
2008 Delta Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Nose: Fresh, crisp, nice stonefruit and guava with some citrus. I like how it didn't have the over the top grassiness.
Taste: Good acid, lemony and tart. A touch of meringue and full of flavour. Balanced & energetic. I enjoyed it. A nice NZ SB.
Taste: Good acid, lemony and tart. A touch of meringue and full of flavour. Balanced & energetic. I enjoyed it. A nice NZ SB.
White
2009 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Nose: Some smoke and burnt rubber, which I felt was a little odd
Taste: Compared to the Delta SB, this one had a bigger body, very long finish. Palate was full of pomelo, citrus and passionfruit. Nicely structured and good acid. Delicious.
Taste: Compared to the Delta SB, this one had a bigger body, very long finish. Palate was full of pomelo, citrus and passionfruit. Nicely structured and good acid. Delicious.
Flight 2 - Chards & Friends (2 notes)
The Bosworth was more unique due to the barrel fermented Viognier but the Tamar Ridge was showing very nicely as well with well controlled oak through the nice buttery notes and fruit.
White
2008 Battle of Bosworth Chardonnay & Viognier
The Chardonnay portion was fermented in stainless steel while the Viognier was fermented in older French barrels.
Nose: Soft and floral. White fruits but with something I wrote as 'soggy fruits', not in a bad way. This was due to the touch of funk i smelled.
Taste: Some obvious oak influence but well integrated. Smooth body with nice flavours of citrus and white fruit. Quite unique. You'll either like it or hate it.
Nose: Soft and floral. White fruits but with something I wrote as 'soggy fruits', not in a bad way. This was due to the touch of funk i smelled.
Taste: Some obvious oak influence but well integrated. Smooth body with nice flavours of citrus and white fruit. Quite unique. You'll either like it or hate it.
White
2008 Tamar Ridge Chardonnay Kayena Vineyard
Fermented in oak for 6 months
Nose:Buttery with obvious oak, but restrained. Nice popcorn and a little 2 X 4
Taste: Clean tasting, rich with a good finish. Crisp and not overoaked. Nice mix of citrus and white fruits.
Nose:Buttery with obvious oak, but restrained. Nice popcorn and a little 2 X 4
Taste: Clean tasting, rich with a good finish. Crisp and not overoaked. Nice mix of citrus and white fruits.
Flight 3 - Buff Pinots (4 notes)
The Martinborough was quite popular during the tasting but I felt all were showing alright, just that they were definitely very new world. Much heavier on the palate and extraction compared to old world ones. Although the Martinborough was the 'lightest' of the four and the Montes didn't really taste like a PN.
Red
2009 Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir Te Tera
Nose: Good dose of strawberries and cassis. Chocolate and minerals were detected as well.
Taste: Smooth, chalky, mixed fruit but quite straightforward. Worth the price? Don't think so.
Taste: Smooth, chalky, mixed fruit but quite straightforward. Worth the price? Don't think so.
Red
2009 Montes Pinot Noir Limited Selection
Nose: Smoke, mud with some definite barnyard notes. Sweet and fragrant.
Taste: Pepper, spice, chock full of red fruit. Quite a bigger body that what I am used to for Pinot Noir. Delicious, but Pinot Noir? I dunno.
Taste: Pepper, spice, chock full of red fruit. Quite a bigger body that what I am used to for Pinot Noir. Delicious, but Pinot Noir? I dunno.
Red
2008 Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir Kayena Vineyard
Nose: Bright but slightly austere cherries (rubbery?), quite perfumed.
Taste: Nice balance of acid, good load of fruit at this young age. Quite straighfoward and well made but might be a hair heavy for my palate when it comes to PN
Taste: Nice balance of acid, good load of fruit at this young age. Quite straighfoward and well made but might be a hair heavy for my palate when it comes to PN
Red
2008 De Bortoli Pinot Noir
Nose: A nice mix of dark and red fruits with some obvious cola notes. There was a touch of alcohol fumes despite some vigourous swirling. I hope that will blow over in time
Taste: A hair thin for my palate, not in terms of body, but in terms of the flavour. Some simple mix of dried herbs with red fruit, along with some spice. Meh for me.
Taste: A hair thin for my palate, not in terms of body, but in terms of the flavour. Some simple mix of dried herbs with red fruit, along with some spice. Meh for me.
Flight 4 - Very Cabby Cabs (4 notes)
Overall the Cabernets quite very enjoyable. All 4 showed typicity and classic cabernet notes. Good structure, tannins, body and acidity. The top would be the 05 Casa Real, that was a knock out but still too young. While the best QPR was the 08 Montes Alpha.
Red
2005 Viña Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Casa Real Reserva Especial
Nose: This was a serious wine. Seductive notes of dark cocholate, classic cab notes of blackberry and raspberries. Some smoke and a touch of cut celery which I always like.
Taste: This was a stunning wine with great intensity and a sensible restraint. The bottle was popped for barely and hour and already it was showing quite well: textured dark fruits, wonderful oak integration and spice. Still primary but I can't help think how this would taste in several hours or in several years time. Well structured, the tannins were grippy but welcome. This is probably one of the few Chilean cabernets that I have enjoyed. This one's a keeper
Taste: This was a stunning wine with great intensity and a sensible restraint. The bottle was popped for barely and hour and already it was showing quite well: textured dark fruits, wonderful oak integration and spice. Still primary but I can't help think how this would taste in several hours or in several years time. Well structured, the tannins were grippy but welcome. This is probably one of the few Chilean cabernets that I have enjoyed. This one's a keeper
Red
2008 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: I found the nose to be rather tight, unfortunately. This bottle was opened barely an hour prior to tasting and no decanting. This wine needs more air.
Taste: A nice classic straightforwards cabernet. Plush, well integrated with nice structure and acid. Would be a good food wine and needs more time in the cellar or more air. Good QPR.
Taste: A nice classic straightforwards cabernet. Plush, well integrated with nice structure and acid. Would be a good food wine and needs more time in the cellar or more air. Good QPR.
Red
2006 Montes: Napa Angel Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: Interesting nose of camphor and dark fruit along with some herbaceous notes.
Taste: Thick and viscous. Juicy with cassis and plum but somehow didn't fare as well as the Montes Alpha Cabernet I tasted prior to this.
Taste: Thick and viscous. Juicy with cassis and plum but somehow didn't fare as well as the Montes Alpha Cabernet I tasted prior to this.
Red
2008 Viña Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva
Nose: A pleasant mix of dark fruits, green bell peppers and a nice warm brownie.
Taste: Good intensity, classic cabernet sauvignon. Still primary but this will show well with air or with more sleep time in the cellar; nice tannis. For the price, I felt this was a good QPR.
Taste: Good intensity, classic cabernet sauvignon. Still primary but this will show well with air or with more sleep time in the cellar; nice tannis. For the price, I felt this was a good QPR.
Flight 5 - Souped-up Shirazzies (5 notes)
New world Shiraz is hard to miss. They were all big, bold, intense, juicy and thick; showing a great deal of extraction. The stand out was easily the Montes Folly (which was also the most expensive), intense but balanced thanks to the high altitudes and cooler climates. The Four Roads (Shiraz/Grenache/Viognier) was rather unique and very pleasant. While the Gaffer was way too over the top for me; too big for my liking.
Red
2008 Maxwell Shiraz Four Roads
Nose: Very aromatic, floral, strawberries and dark fruit. Some lifted cola as well.
Taste: Thich, fat, viscous but not over the top. Intense mix of red and dark fruit. Primary at the moment but enjoyed this wine very much. Smokey and tobacco finish. Good acid and a clean palate.
Taste: Thich, fat, viscous but not over the top. Intense mix of red and dark fruit. Primary at the moment but enjoyed this wine very much. Smokey and tobacco finish. Good acid and a clean palate.
Red
2006 Maxwell Shiraz Silver Hammer
Nose: Tobacco and cold steel. Reminds me of a Traditional Chinese Medical Hall along with whiffs of Yomeishu (a Japanese herbal liquor). Not very 'shirazzy', but quite nice
Taste: Here's more familiar ground with dark plums and creamy vanilla. Good intensiy and nice acid to keep the fruit in check. Not over the top and one of the more restrained shiraz I had for this tasting.
Taste: Here's more familiar ground with dark plums and creamy vanilla. Good intensiy and nice acid to keep the fruit in check. Not over the top and one of the more restrained shiraz I had for this tasting.
Red
2007 Mr. Riggs Shiraz The Gaffer
Nose: Explosive, biggest one for the tasting. Very intense dark brooding fruits. Didn't really get any viognier (there's about 1-2%)
Taste: The biggest shiraz of the tasting. Super rich, thick and heavy dark fruits, sweet tannins and spice. For me it was too much of a fruit bomb and over the top.
Taste: The biggest shiraz of the tasting. Super rich, thick and heavy dark fruits, sweet tannins and spice. For me it was too much of a fruit bomb and over the top.
Red
2006 Greenstone Vineyard Shiraz
Nose: Clean and lifted nose of plums and pepper. Nice and elegant.
Taste: After the 'Mr Riggs Gaffer Shiraz', this was discernably lighter and more in control. Soft and smooth in taste and texture but I found it rather boring. Not showing any character.
Taste: After the 'Mr Riggs Gaffer Shiraz', this was discernably lighter and more in control. Soft and smooth in taste and texture but I found it rather boring. Not showing any character.
Red
2005 Montes Syrah Folly La Finca de Apalta
Planted on Montes' vineyard with the highest altitude and extremely low yields, this single vineyard syrah was fermented for 18 months in new french oak
Nose: Very intense nose yet very elegant. A splendid mix of blackcurrant jam, figs and raw vegetables. Very nice
Taste: Concentrated dark fruits, great tannins with a sweet core. Not over the top with sufficient acidity to keep it 'cool' and 'clean' (a quote from my notes). There is finesse in this Syrah that I did not get from most of the Aussie shiraz (to be fair they were at a cheaper price point) in the tasting. This one needs to sleep.
Nose: Very intense nose yet very elegant. A splendid mix of blackcurrant jam, figs and raw vegetables. Very nice
Taste: Concentrated dark fruits, great tannins with a sweet core. Not over the top with sufficient acidity to keep it 'cool' and 'clean' (a quote from my notes). There is finesse in this Syrah that I did not get from most of the Aussie shiraz (to be fair they were at a cheaper price point) in the tasting. This one needs to sleep.
Flight 6 - The Odd Couples (7 notes)
A mixed bag of varietals and blends. The La Motte (a bordeaux blend with malbec) was a favourite due to its new world interpretation of bordeaux flavours. Very nice.The Irvine Merlot was rather disappointing at this stage, showing explosive fruit but not much character. I enjoyed the Montes Merlot more even though it was simpler.
Red
2008 Doña Paula Malbec Estate
Nose: Intense fruity nose with hints of bell peppers, tobacco and nice integration of oak giving some cream
Taste: The spice and dark fruit definitely came out. Quite simple but not bad. Not as good as the Kaiken Malbec I tasted directly after this though, and for a cheaper price.
Taste: The spice and dark fruit definitely came out. Quite simple but not bad. Not as good as the Kaiken Malbec I tasted directly after this though, and for a cheaper price.
Red
2008 Kaiken Malbec
Nose: Obvious coconut milk notes tied in with blackberries and dark fruits. Smelled very rich.
Taste: Loads of juice, heavy bodied and rather intense. For it's price, I would get this for grilled meats and heavy sauces. This wine is not about subtlety, but I like.
Taste: Loads of juice, heavy bodied and rather intense. For it's price, I would get this for grilled meats and heavy sauces. This wine is not about subtlety, but I like.
Red
2005 La Motte Millennium
A nice and interesting Bordeaux blend from South Africa:
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Malbec (old school!), 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Each grape type individually spent 16 months in new and old french oak
Nose: My notes wrote 'complex'. Intriguing and attractive nose. Peppery along with notes of a richer and more modern Bordeaux: Dark chocolate, lead, cloves, spice and a mix of red and dark fruit. Very nice.
Taste: Definitely heavier than a traditional Bordeaux but very delicious. Good intensity of fruit, still quite young and would benefit from some time in the cellar. Lovely spice as well as puckering tannins. This wine was at a pretty good price and a definite buy!
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Malbec (old school!), 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Each grape type individually spent 16 months in new and old french oak
Nose: My notes wrote 'complex'. Intriguing and attractive nose. Peppery along with notes of a richer and more modern Bordeaux: Dark chocolate, lead, cloves, spice and a mix of red and dark fruit. Very nice.
Taste: Definitely heavier than a traditional Bordeaux but very delicious. Good intensity of fruit, still quite young and would benefit from some time in the cellar. Lovely spice as well as puckering tannins. This wine was at a pretty good price and a definite buy!
Red
2007 Leopard's Leap Pinotage-Shiraz
Nose: A classic pinotage nose (I don't know how to describe it, but it's in most pinotage) but with more red fruit, thanks to the shiraz. Nicely put together and pleasant.
Taste: Rather exotic taste yet familiar. Mulberries, cloves, assorted red fruit with good intensity. If you want your friends to get onto the pinotage wagon, this is a friendly way of starting.
Taste: Rather exotic taste yet familiar. Mulberries, cloves, assorted red fruit with good intensity. If you want your friends to get onto the pinotage wagon, this is a friendly way of starting.
Red
2008 Montes Merlot Classic Series
Nose: A nice new world merlot. Soft plums and dark fruit. Some hints of green-ness. Surprisingly 'refreshing' nose.
Taste: A classic round merlot texture with sweet but real fruit. Nice backend spice and a beautifully long finish. Didn't have the over-ripe feeling with sufficient acidity and minerals to keep this wine rather elegant for a more entry to medium level wine.
Taste: A classic round merlot texture with sweet but real fruit. Nice backend spice and a beautifully long finish. Didn't have the over-ripe feeling with sufficient acidity and minerals to keep this wine rather elegant for a more entry to medium level wine.
Red
2004 Irvine Grand Merlot
Keep in mind that this wine was opened for just over an hour and was not decanted
Nose: Very big nose, sweet plums and dark fruit. Good intensity with some hints of the earth and barnyard.
Taste: A very big and modern merlot. Definitely not a Bordeaux. Nice rounded dark fruit and weighted texture but the finish was rather short. At this point in time, I felt it was a little overpriced.
Nose: Very big nose, sweet plums and dark fruit. Good intensity with some hints of the earth and barnyard.
Taste: A very big and modern merlot. Definitely not a Bordeaux. Nice rounded dark fruit and weighted texture but the finish was rather short. At this point in time, I felt it was a little overpriced.
Red
2005 Irvine Zinfandel Reserve
Nose: I liked this nose. Bright red fruits and fresh tomato. Definitely new world but there was a little bit of Italy inside. A nice primitivo homage.
Taste: Thick and fat but controlled. Lovely acid and a long finish. The tomato aspect definitely came through on the palate with some ketchup and fruit as well. Definitely food friendly and I immediately thought of pasta.
Taste: Thick and fat but controlled. Lovely acid and a long finish. The tomato aspect definitely came through on the palate with some ketchup and fruit as well. Definitely food friendly and I immediately thought of pasta.
Closing
WOTD: Montes Folly & Casa Real (tie)
QPR-OTD: La Motte Millenium