Monthly Archives: November 2007

Blandy’s at the Decade

Posted on November 20, 2007 by RJ

Blandy’s Madeira 10 Years Old Rich Malmsey nv Last tasting notes show great complexity though the 5 year is a pretty good value. Again the wine is complex, nutty and shaped by the acidity that we expect from Madeira. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Madeira, Malvasia, Portugal | Leave a comment

This isn’t Madeira

Posted on November 17, 2007 by RJ

Though we often associate Verdelho with the volcanic island of Madeira, there is also a following for this grape in Australia. It makes up less than 5% of the total white grape harvest but still out paces ever fashionable Viognier. … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Langhorne Creek, South Australia, Verdelho | Leave a comment

Australian Port

Posted on November 16, 2007 by RJ

Penfolds South Australia Club Tawny (no longer called Port) nv The last bottle tasted was maple syrup personified with completely integrated alcohol. Made from Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre and matured in small oak in Kalimna. The wine was subsequently bottled … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Port, South Australia | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Pinot North and South

Posted on November 16, 2007 by RJ

On a later date we tasted the substantial Pinot from Amisfield alongside this gem from Australia. Kooyong Mornington Peninsula Haven Pinot Noir 2004 This is one of the single vineyard bottlings from Kooyong. Tasted a year later in December ’08, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Central Otago, Mornington Peninsula, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Victoria | Leave a comment

Victorian Shiraz

Posted on November 16, 2007 by RJ

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Shiraz Viognier 2005 Smells of sweet cherry pie, oak and a hint of eucalyptus. This dense Shiraz shows how good it can be when there’s a good heft of acidity to balance the taste … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Pyrenees, Syrah, Yarra Valley | Leave a comment

Rockin’ Rose

Posted on November 16, 2007 by RJ

Wild Rock Central Otago Rose 2006 Fresh strawberries and perfume to smell and a clean, dry, fruity palate with some creamy texture. Vin Gris from Pinot Noir, P&B in Hastings, Hawkes Bay 14% $9.99 at Bottle Barn Wild Rock

Posted in Central Otago, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Rosé | Leave a comment

Australian Chardonnay is Not Cut of One Cloth

Posted on November 16, 2007 by RJ

In this latest taste-off, we look at a Kiwi Chardonnay alongside the Giaconda. Babich Hawke’s Bay Unoaked Chardonnay 2006 This wine is all stainless steel. P&B in Henderson 13.5% $10.99 at K&L Babich Two delicious wines, two very different interpretations … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Chardonnay, Hawke's Bay, McLaren Vale, New Zealand, South Australia, Victoria | Leave a comment

Sweet Chardonnay

Posted on November 15, 2007 by RJ

Kendall-Jackson Arroyo Seco Late Harvest Chardonnay 2005 We’re featuring the wines of France tonight. As we don’t have a bottle of the Thevenet’s Late Harvest wine from the Macon, I thought we would taste one of the few late harvest … Continue reading →

Posted in Arroyo Seco, California, Chardonnay, Late Harvest White, Monterey County | Leave a comment

Pinot on Parade

Posted on November 15, 2007 by RJ

Maison Ambroise Cote de Nuits Villages 2005 More brett than I would have liked, this wine is quite astringent and a little warm in the mouth. Frankly, it’s not up to what I’ve had from Amroise in the past. Vinified … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Cote de Nuits Villages, France, Marsannay, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

The Beaujolais is Here!

Posted on November 15, 2007 by RJ

This flight offers the opportunity to look at two versions of Gamay. The first is brand new Nouveau (is that redundant?) and the second is from the Cru Julienas. Domaine Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 2007 This is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Beaujolais, Burgundy, France, Gamay | Leave a comment