Community Tasting Note

donrad wrote:

Monday, January 7, 2008 - Sorry to everybody in advance for the length of the note, but think of it as 4 tasting notes of the same wine....Braised Short Ribs with sherry reduction, carmelized spaghetti squash, and julienne of carrotts, zucchini, and pepper. Opened the bottle when the short ribs went in the oven.....Decanted most, left a generous two pour glass in the bottle, and poured a couple sips in a glass to celebrate successful braising prep.....a 48 hour adventure ensued.....

At opening I thought it was broodingly dark with an obvious huge body. The nose was pretty open from the start...berries, berries and more berries, as dark as they come, with oak showing off vanilla....Surprised and slightly disappointed with the lack of complexity. On the palate, utterly shut down.....You could tell the fruit was there, but it was overwhlemed by the structure. I knew it was going to be good later, but at this point I'd say 89.

At Dinner (4.5 hours later): Out of the decanter, with food. Nose is now pumping out the goods. Still dark berry fruit and oak, but they are now a bit more balanced and the berries are more defined as bluberry, also giving some graphite, pepper, and coffee. On the palate, still pretty closed, but the food cuts through some of the structure and you can taste the fruit. Very thick and dense, it makes the spare rib seem small. At this point I'm thinking quite tasty...Let's see what tomorrow brings....93.

Next Evening (open 28 hours): Poured out a small glass with another in reserve. Massive. Nose is now wide open yielding a corucopia of all of the above plus a spice I can't place, and wildflowers (violet?) added, but now is singing in harmony. Mouth watering. With this much time the palate finally matches the decandence and complexity of the nose. Almost perfectly balanced, its now showing that balance in its length....Now I'm thinking, this could go all the way....I could drink this at my daughters wedding, at my 30 year wedding anniversary, and I'm generally skeptical at Aussie Shiraz and long-term (decades) cellaring. So, let's put it to the test. Cork goes back in, and I resist the urge to drain the bottle...95

Next Evening (open 48 hours): Drained the remainder bottle. Still glass coating 10W40. Nose is pretty much the same (amazing) but not showing any signs of fading....but on the palate, now nearly perfect. Sings from the moment it touches my tongue, velvety texture, almost sweet tannins, structure and acid are still there to compliment and balance. Finish lasts over 40 second. 3 sips later....its gone....so sad.

I thought the 2005 was great, much more approachable, still complex, very well balanced, but this is another story entirely. This WILL go all the way. I have 5 more and will buy another 7. Will drink the case over the next 2 decades, but probably won't even bother opening another bottle for 5 years. Ben Glaetzer is the man.

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