Wine Tasting: Wine Fair - Reds (13th Sep 1998)
Assorted red wines from a wine fair in Edinburgh. Wines are not presented in tasting order.
1996 Bertagna Nuits St Georges Murgers
13th Sep 1998 GBP27 Burgundy Table Red
Pale, bright, red.
Mute nose with some juicy berry fruit and notes of oak and alcohol - very young.
Medium to full bodied, the juicy berry fruit carries through on the palate with rich fruit acids, ripe tannins and a dry finish.
Very good but young - needs 5 years.
1997 Boschkloof Cabernet Merlot
13th Sep 1998 GBP7 South Africa Table Red
Young red/purple - pinking at rim.
Ripe nose of leather, plums and cassis with some oak; leafy and attractive.
Full bodied with dark, ripe, plum fruit, peppery oak - warm and rustic with a plummy finish.
Chunky but very good value.
1995 Caymus Zinfandel
13th Sep 1998 GBP13 USA Table Red
Deep, even, purple/red.
Rich, rustic nose of stewed berry fruits.
Full bodied with sweet berry fruit and flavours of leather, tobacco and oak. Crisp acidity and dusty tannins come together on a long dry finish.
Good, needs food.
1996 Chapoutier Crozes Hermitage Meysonniers
13th Sep 1998 Rhone Table Red
Even purple/red - pinking slightly at rim.
Complex, inviting nose of stewed red berries and meat.
Medium bodied, meaty and dry with high acidity and young, hard tannins.
Needs lots of time.
1995 Drouhin Cote de Beaune
13th Sep 1998 Burgundy Table Red
Pale, even red with a tinge of brown at the rim - maturing?
Juicy strawberry nose with a touch of coffee.
Medium bodied with spicy oak, tart strawberry fruit and creamy, old oak. Long, dry finish.
Very attractive but needs time (and food).
1995 Ducru Beaucailloux Croix de Beaucaillou
13th Sep 1998 GBP28 Bordeaux Table Red
Deep, even, red.
Aromas of cassis, plums and cigar box.
Full bodied with sweet cassis and plum fruit, a rounded texture, crisp acids and firm tannins. Lots of alcohol and a long, peppery, spicy finish.
Excellent - needs another 5 or more years.
1997 Errazuriz Don Maximiano Estate Syrah Reserva
13th Sep 1998 GBP10 Chile Table Red
Deep, even, purple.
Dense, ripe, spicy, soft black fruits on the nose with traces of capsicum.
Full bodied with pungent, spicy black fruits, leather and oak. Long finish with firm drying tannins.
Outstanding now but much better in a couple of years.
1995 Fetzer Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon
13th Sep 1998 USA Table Red
Even, red/purple.
Restrained nose with some cassis and mint.
Full bodied and plummy with firm, dry tannins and good acidity. Long with good balance.
Needs another 2 to 3 years anyway.
1996 Fetzer Petit Syrah
13th Sep 1998 GBP15 USA Table Red
Deep, even, purple.
Opulent, enticing nose of violets and oak.
Full bodied with spicy, soft, sweet black fruits, mint and oak. Plenty of alcohol and firm, dry tannins over a long finish.
Outstanding - needs 3 to 4 years.
1994 J Lohr Syrah Paso Robles
13th Sep 1998 GBP9 USA Table Red
Fairly deep red, pinking slightly at rim.
Quite restrained on the nose with some berry fruit.
Medium to full bodied with a rounded texture, red berry fruit, soft acidity and a warm, spicy finish.
A fairly simple wine with good balance.
1995 PJA Cornas
13th Sep 1998 GBP13 Rhone Table Red
Deep, even, purple/red.
Quite restrained nose with some meat and spice aromas.
Medium to full bodied with plenty of oak, crisp acids and spicy, meaty flavours. Good finish.
Good now, but will develop.
1996 Veenwouden Vivat Baccus
13th Sep 1998 GBP10 South Africa Table Red
Deep, even, purple fading to red at the rim.
Complex nose of plums, green peppers and beef.
Sweet, chewy flavours of chocolate, capsicums, beef and tobacco. Good acidity and tannins with a long, long, warm, rounded finish.
Excellent now and over the next 3 to 4 years (and beyond?)
[My favourite red of the day!]
1996 Villa Maria Cabernet Merlot
13th Sep 1998 GBP8 New Zealand Table Red
Pale, purple/red.
Stewed, ripe plum fruit on the nose with some oak.
Light with flavours of cassis, plums and cedar. Lovely balance, fresh with good grip.
Excellent 'luncheon claret' style.
1993 Wing Canyon Cabernet
13th Sep 1998 GBP23 USA Table Red
Very deep, even, red.
Dense, leafy, blackcurrant nose.
Ripe and opulent on the palate with flavours of cassis and green leaves, new peppery oak, and crisp fruit acids. Warm all the way through to the long finish.
Excellent.