Wine Tasting: Wine fair - Whites (13th Sep 1998)
Assorted white wines from a wine fair in Edinburgh. Wines are not presented in tasting order.
1997 Antonopoulos Adoli Ghis Lagorthi
13th Sep 1998 GBP6 Greece Table White
[Grape Variety: Lagorthi]
Very pale, clear.
Subtle nose - doesn't give much away.
Light with quite sharp acidity, flavours of orange peel, gumboils and steel, and a dry, clean finish.
Very unusual and quite severe - would be a lovely match with mackerel.
1997 Antonopoulos Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP10 Greece Table White
Bright, pale straw.
Ripe, rustic nose of straw, citrus and oak.
Medium bodied with sweet, tropical and quince fruit flavours, good acidity and plenty of alcohol. Long mineral finish with notes of bananas.
Impressive - much cleaner and more enjoyable than the 1996.
1997 Antonopoulos Mantinea Moschofilero
13th Sep 1998 GBP5 Greece Table White
Pale, watery appearance.
Restrained nose - perfumed, aromatic, reminiscent of Gewurztraminer.
Medium bodied with sweet, orange peel and gumboil flavours, steely acidity and a good, dry finish.
Impressive and different - needs richly flavoured fish.
Billecart Salmon Rose NV
13th Sep 1998 GBP27 Champagne Sparkling Rose
Pale, even, onion skin/pink colour and a fairly fine, persistent mousse.
Toasty and creamy nose with aromas of straw and strawberries.
Bone dry with rich, toasty flavours, redcurrant and strawberry fruit, good acidity and a long fresh, finish.
Boutari Vinsanto
13th Sep 1998 GBP6 Greece Dessert Rose
Orange pink.
Oxidised nose with orange peel and floral notes - interesting.
Rich and toasty with intensely sweet, honeyed tropical fruit and marmalade flavours. Lots of oak and fresh acids.
Reminiscent of Tokaji Aszu - different but very enjoyable.
1997 Casablanca Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP10 Chile Table White
Even, pale gold.
Muted nose with notes of citrus, toasted oak and alcohol.
Rich and full bodied with sweet, ripe citrus and apple fruit, lots of oak and alcohol. Well integrated with a warm, long, dry, mineral finish.
Outstanding.
1997 Casablanca Santa Isabel Gewurztraminer
13th Sep 1998 GBP6 Chile Table White
Very pale, bright.
Aromatic, perfumed and spicy nose - very attractive.
Full bodied with warm alcohol, sweet lychee fruit, a rich, mouthcoating texture and a long, spicy finish.
Sublime!
1996 Cuilleron Condrieu Eguets
13th Sep 1998 GBP25 Rhone Dessert White
Bright, pale, gold.
Opulent, floral, aromatic nose with alcohol and mineral notes.
Medium bodied and piercingly sweet with flavours of minerals, oils and honeysuckle. Fresh fruit acidity keeps it in perfect balance over a long finish.
Outstanding.
1997 Cuilleron Condrieu Petite Cote
13th Sep 1998 Rhone Table White
Bright, pale gold.
Rich, opulent, oily nose with some aromatics.
Full bodied with spicy, sweet apple fruit, minerals, oily alcohol and a very long complex finish. Dry.
Superb.
1996 Drouhin Rully Blanc
13th Sep 1998 GBP9 Burgundy Table White
Very pale straw, bright.
Quite dumb, slightly coarse nose - possibly in shock?
Very young with crisp acidity, citrus fruits and minerals and oak on the finish.
Quite hard - needs time to open out.
1996 Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP9 Chile Table White
Very pale gold, bright.
Well developed, attractive nose of melon, quince and straw.
Medium bodied with sweet citrus and melon fruit, good fruit acidity and some spicy oak. Good depth and length.
Very good but surprisingly light - almost burgundian in style.
1996 Fetzer Bonterra Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP8 USA Table White
Bright, pale straw.
Restrained but attractive nose of minerals, cream, apples and oak.
Medium bodied with mouthfilling flavours of vanilla, cream and quince. Excellent balance with crisp, apple acidity, plenty of alcohol and a long dry finish.
Very good.
1997 Fetzer Private Collection Dijon Clone Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP13 USA Table White
[Less than 500 cases made. Biodynamic production]
Bright, very pale straw.
Closed, tight, fresh nose.
Full bodied with creamy, tropical fruit and complex banana notes. Intense and concentrated with sweet alcohol coming through on the long finish.
Superb!
1996 Forman Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP17 USA Table White
Pale, bright gold.
Buttery, rich, chardonnay nose.
Fat, chewy and full bodied with sweet citrus and apple fruit and spicy, toasty oak. Warm and alcoholic with a long, dry finish.
Quite obvious but lovely now. Very good.
1996 Hardys Padthaway Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP8 Australia Table White
Pale straw with a greenish tinge.
Quite restrained, leesy and ripe with some new oak - attractive and fresh.
Ripe and luscious with a mouthfilling texture and ripe, creamy, nutty, spiced apple flavours. Long, spicy finish.
Excellent balance.
1997 Montana Awatere Riesling
13th Sep 1998 GBP8 New Zealand Table White
Very pale, bright.
Muted nose with a hint of clean, aromatic fruit.
Full bodied with sweet, spiced apple and clove flavours. Minerals and alcohol come through on the long, dry finish.
Fresh and simple - enjoyable now but should develop very well over 5 or more years.
1996 Montana Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc
13th Sep 1998 Marlborough Table White
Even, bright, pale gold.
Pungent asparagus and gooseberry nose - lots of alcohol and mineral notes.
Sweet, intense asparagus and gooseberry fruit; leafy with crisp acidity; warm alcohol and a long, mouthfilling, creamy, spicy finish. Well balanced throughout.
Outstanding drinking now, it may get even better over the next few years.
1996 Puligny Montrachet, Ch de Puligny Montrachet Chalumeaux
13th Sep 1998 GBP24 Burgundy Table White
Bright gold.
Spicy, leesy, toasted oak nose - superb.
Fat, warm and alcoholic with steely acidity and citrus fruit.
Needs at least two years. Very good.
1998 Villa Maria Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
13th Sep 1998 GBP10 Marlborough Table White
[Tank Sample]
Clear with faint greenish tinge.
Ripe, luscious, gooseberry and asparagus nose - lovely.
Medium bodied with rounded alcohol; intense, ripe, gooseberry fruit; and crisp citrus acids coming through on a long mineral finish.
Outstanding.
1996 Von Ortloff Chardonnay
13th Sep 1998 GBP6 South Africa Table White
Pale gold.
Open nose of fat alcohol, oak and citrus aromas.
Buttery and rich with plenty of alcohol and oak on the palate. Good balance with fresh acidity and a long finish.
Good value.
