2007 Pegau Cuvée Reserve
Medium to dark red in colour. The nose was a bit muted at first but when it opened up it offered dark cherry and herbs. The body was medium and carried the wine with a sense of restrained power. The tannins were fully resolved and there was moderate acidity on the back end. The flavours of Kirsch and macerated cherries were joined with herbal notes, mushrooms and forest and a good dose of cracked black pepper on the finish. Fully mature, this top level Chateauneuf-du-Pape was drinking on point. The intensity of the fruit and the balance suggest at least another 5 years of good drinking.
Excellent
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2004 Hanzell Pinot Noir
Medium red in colour showing some age on the rim. Cherry, plum and earth on the nose with a hint of pepper. Secondary notes revealed more dark fruit and leather. A very complex and elegant wine with a smooth mouthfeel that was definitely more Burgundian in style. We weren’t sure if it would be anywhere near its peak after 13 years and were wonderfully surprised. While it was showing no signs of breaking down, it’s drinking beautifully now so wouldn’t wait if we had another in the cellar. Excellent
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2004 Pesquera Reserva
Medium dark red colour. Beautiful nose of raspberries and black cherries supported by hints of baking spices. The medium+ body is textured and very smooth. The tannin is now fully integrated and the moderate acidity on the back end keeps the wine nicely delineated. This wine is very complex with primary flavours of plum, raspberry and blackberry. With a bit of air we also pick up leather and cedar notes. The fruit is ripe and full, possessing a slightly confectured note and is drinking perfectly right now. One of the best examples of a Ribera del Duero from a top vintage.
Excellent+
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2002 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard
In a blind tasting this single vineyard, single variety from Napa could easily have been mistaken for a Bordeaux. Notes of earth, tobacco and oak combined with dark black fruits. Great structure to this wine with a lovely long finish. Big and smooth and despite high expectations did not disappoint.
Excellent
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2000 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
A wonderfully complex Cab. Funky herbal nose upon opening which was replaced by aromas of blackcurrant, plum, eucalyptus and dusty earth notes once exposed to air in the decanter. Big and smooth with a nice long finish, this wine is showing terrific structure that at 17 years still has plenty of time.
Excellent+
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2002 Lail Vineyards J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark red, showing some age on the rim, this wine had a stunning aroma from the moment the cork was pulled. Absolutely classic Napa Cab notes including blackcurrant, black cherry, blackberry, menthol and vanilla. A big but wonderfully balanced wine that had a smooth mouthfeel and a ridiculously long finish. We think drinking at its peak but no signs of breaking down.
Extraordinary
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