823. Perillo di Romano, Taurasi Riserva, 2003
Nice to spend some time on a Taurasi Aglianico, rather than just at a tasting. Mid-deep garnet, with quite a broad rim. Complex, savoury …
822. Chapel Hill, Bush Vine Grenache McLaren Vale, 2011
Very interesting to try a pure McLaren Vale Grenache – particularly as it was denser, and more tannicly structured than the Barossa – just …
821. Ridge Vineyards, Geyserville Sonoma County, 2011
Another class Ridge Zin. Mid ruby-purple, with a medium rim. Sweet, fruits-of-the-forest bery fruit. Black pepper spice. Oak / wood spice, cinnamon, vanilla, and …
820. Qupé, Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah Santa Maria Valley, 2010
Until the 2014 exam (after this tasting), the Bien Nacido Syrah was the exam wine, after which, the straight 2011, ironically, was added. This …
819. Maison Nicolas Perrin, Ermitage, 2011
In the Syrah / Malbec line-up, all the Northern Rhône Syrahs were from the 2011 vintage, to maximise comparability. The quality of this stood …
818. Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains, 2009
Another highlight of a great Cabernet line-up. Refined, albeit still a classic California Cabernet, with American oak influence. Less elegant than Quintessa, but very …
817. Quintessa, Rutherford Napa Valley, 2011
As elegant as its packaging. Napa, yes, but in harmony and refined. Retasted in October, it was the same. Deep ruby, with a narrow, …
816. Château Nenin, Pomerol, 2010
So this precise wine also appeared on 2014’s paper 2…who knew? The wine of the Merlot / Carmenère line-up. Deep ruby-black. Deep and full …
815. Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé, 2010
The best Bordeaux in the Cab and Merlot line-ups, combined. Joint best Cab with the differently-styled Quintessa. A fuller, denser wine than most Domaine …
814. G. D. Vajra, Coste & Fossati Dolcetto d’Alba, 2011
By contrast, a fairly deep purple colour, blue and blackberry fruit character to the compote fruit. Some violet and liquorice / medicinal notes emerge. …