Wine Tasting: Private Tasting - Assorted Wines (5th Feb 1999)
No real theme here, just the opportunity to taste some new arrivals!
1. 1998 Elderton Eden Valley Riesling
5th Feb 1999 GBP7 Australia Table White
Bright, pale gold.
Clean, floral nose with some buttered toast.
Dry, crisp and lean with lemony flavours and a decent finish.
Simple now, but an excellent aperitif.
Should develop very well over 5 or more years.
2. 1997 Caymus Sauvignon Blanc
5th Feb 1999 GBP8 USA Table White
Lovely nose of buttery, smoky oak and lemon pith.
Medium to full bodied with ripe flavours of sweet, buttery oak, good acidity and a long, rich finish.
Very good.
3. 1996 D'Arenburg Chardonnay Olive Grove
5th Feb 1999 GBP13 Australia Table White
Bright yellow/gold.
Nose still dumb, with some oak, and melon fruit.
Medium bodied with flavours of citrus and apple pips, crisp acids and lots of oak.
This suffered a bit after the Caymus, but makes for very good drinking now.
4. 1998 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling
5th Feb 1999 GBP10 Australia Table White
Bright, pale gold.
Floral and mineral notes on the nose with a hint of toast.
Dry, with rich lychees, toast and nut flavours, crisp acidity and layers of alcohol.
Good fresh finish.
Excellent aperitif now. Try to cellar it for 5 years.
5. 1997 Tria Old Vine Zinfandel
5th Feb 1999 GBP9 USA Table Red
Purple/red, pinking at rim - very young.
Pure nose, with bramble and redcurrant fruit and a hint of aniseed.
Juicy redcurrant and black cherry flavours and gorgeous, fresh acidity.
Some soft tannins and a good finish.
Outstanding now - alcoholic redcurrant jelly!
6. 1997 Boschkloof Cabernet Merlot
5th Feb 1999 GBP7 South Africa Table Red
Deep red/purple to red.
Stalky, slightly green nose with plummy, leafy notes.
Full bodied with firm tannins, plenty of old oak and flavours of cassis and tobacco.
Long on the finish.
Needs rich food.
7. 1996 Elderton Shiraz
5th Feb 1999 GBP13 Australia Table Red
Deep, almost opaque, purple to purple/red.
Rich confected nose of black fruit and violets.
Full bodied and rich, with pepper and mulberry flavours, some charred oak, warm acidity and plenty of alcohol.
Excellent balance and a long, smoky finish.
Superb now.
8. 1996 Pennys Hill Pennys Hill Mclaren Vale Shiraz
5th Feb 1999 GBP10 Australia Table Red
Deep purple/red, redding at rim.
Rich, salty, savoury, confected nose of violets.
Full, rich and complex, with layers of sour black cherries, oak, pepper, capsicums and stewed fruit.
Long, excellent sweet and sour finish.
9. 1997 Cady Coteaux du Layon Chaume
5th Feb 1999 GBP10 Loire Dessert White
Bright gold.
Honeyed, fresh, toasty nose.
Full bodied and sweet, with flavours of grapes, vanilla and cream, good acidity and a toasty finish.
Young but interesting now. Drink well chilled as an aperitif or with fruit as a dessert wine.