2001 d’Arenberg Cabernet Sauvignon The Coppermine Road
Dark red with a slight fade at the rim, the nose revealed black currants and bumble berry pie with hints of menthol and vanilla. Its full body delivers a palate that is powerful and long with a streak of acidity on the finish that ends with a slightly tart note. Bigger in style but balanced, quite Napa in style.
Excellent
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2001 Bodegas J.C. Conde Ribera del Duero Neo
A sensational wine! Nose is very Bordeaux-like with its earth, cedar and black fruits. Medium body, but very intense flavours of blackberry, raspberry and tobacco leaf. Tannins are gentle; this wine is at or near peak, but certainly no signs of breaking down. Slightly modern in style (meant in a good way) and very complex. Nice acidity on the long finish. Very classy!
Excellent +
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2009 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel Blend
Dark red in colour this Zinfandel blend (71% Zinfandel, 23% Petite Sirah & 6% Carignine) is bold and fruit forward but still very structured. Blackberry and raspberry dominate the nose along with a hint of clove spice. It has a smooth and full mouthfeel that is creamy without being too oaky as well as a nice long finish. Drinking very well now but still has several years left.
Excellent
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2006 Dusky Goose Pinot Noir
A big but very structured wine, it still tasted like a Pinot but with everything dialed up. An extraordinary nose revealed notes of raspberry, candied cherry, spice and vanilla. The palate didn’t disappoint after high expectations based on the nose and the flavours continued to evolve long after opening. A bold but structured wine which we enjoyed very much.
Excellent
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2006 K Syrah Phil Lane
Dark red in appearance with aromas of cherry, blueberry and a touch of blackberry. A medium plus body with a very smooth, almost plush, soft mouthfeel. Drinking at its peak now, it is very balanced but lacks the structural components to age further. Not the Charles Smith monster Syrah, much more restrained than some of his more flamboyant efforts. The only knock on this wine is that it is a bit one dimensional, lacking complexity. It has a playing-it-safe element that keeps it from appealing to the intellect. Still, a very enjoyable, pleasure-driven wine.
Very Good/Excellent
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2000 E. Guigal Chateau d’Ampuis Côte-Rôtie
A bit tight when we first pulled the cork, but it opened up beautifully as the evening progressed. Medium red in colour with a hint of brown showing some age but only slightly. Floral notes and red fruit on the nose with cherry and spice on the palate. A very elegant wine that you would not mistake for being New World…a subtle, feminine, finesse wine that we would call a Pinot-lover’s Syrah. An excellent wine in a not particularly great vintage in the Northern Rhone.
Excellent
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