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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1996 La Grande Dame
In 1971, 12 growers in Champagne got together with an idea to make a special Champagne that would showcase their individual terroirs and their excellent wine making capabilities. For decades the Grande Marques (what the Champenois call the big, prestige producers) had been producing their tête cuvées which consumers knew were the best of their best. These would include Dom Perignon from Moët & Chandon, Comtes de Champagne from Tattinger, Cristal from Roederer, Cuvée Winston Churchill from Pol Roger and the like. These tête cuvées showed just how good Champagne could be when blended by the hands of a master. Blending grapes, sometimes from up to 60 different vineyards, showed the Grande Marque’s house style at its finest. As a response, these 12 growers decided to band together and create a special blend that showcased the very best of individual terroir from the Champagne de Vigneron (Champagne of Winegrower). These wines are called Special Club Champagnes.
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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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The view at St. Francis Winery.
St. Francis Winery and Vineyards has for a long time been on our list of favourite California wineries. We can still remember the 1996 St. Francis Reserve Merlot, the wine that tuned us on to St. Francis and the wine that turned us on to Merlot! The fruit-forward and beautifully textured style of that wine remains the house style today.
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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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