12
Aug
2014
- Details
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Category: Uncorked Tonight
(June 30, 2014) ... Not rightly sure how I happen to have these bottles in my cellar but the other day I pulled out a Casas Del Bosque 2001 Merlot Reserve and a 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve to take to my brother's house for dinner. What possessed me to do so is a question I will never be able to answer. I opened both prior to dinner in the hopes of gauging which was drinkable (if any) ... I believe I brought a fresher backup bottle, but can't recall what it was. The Merlot was the more interesting of the two because it had developed a real smoky coffeehouse-like nose which followed onto the palate and hung on all the way to the finish. The Cabernet Sauvignon was not as fortunate to be that interesting, it was more along the lines of what I was expecting very dried fruit with hints of mocha that darted in and out when it felt like showing itself, like dealing with an impetuous child when company is over ... In the end the predominant flavours were of a cassisy-pruney nature. In spite of what Miles said about Merlot it can be an interesting wine.
12
Aug
2014
- Details
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Category: Uncorked Tonight
(June 27, 2014) ... It would seem that these two wines should not meet, as both would, in theory, lack acidity and numb the palate, but surprisingly the Ghost Pines 2010 Chardonnay was and still is a real winner for balance. A blend of cool climate fruit (Monterey 18%) meets Napa (22%) and Sonoma (60%) and creates a delightful rich, buttery, creamy wine yet well-balanced with vibrant acidity: the wine practically sings in the mouth - it really was a true pleasure and at its price-point a real surprise to find a Cali-Chard like this one. The part I liked best was that the fruit is never overwhelmed by the oak as in some subsequent years of this label, the 2010 is still the best in recent memory and current drinks very well.
As the evening wore on our neighbours swung by and sat down for a drink. My neighbour's a red guy so i abandoned the Chardonnay to my wife and went in search of something impressive and red. Lo and behold out came a bottle of Ben Glaetzer 2010 The Wallace, a Shiraz-Grenache blend out of Australia. This is not a wine for the feint of heart or weak of knee (sorry Lloyd), with its 15.7% alcohol, this one could knock you on your ass after just a glass, if you're not ready for it. Plum, black cherry and dark chocolate hide that ass-kickingly powerful 15.7% alcohol along with smooth gentle tannins. This one comes across friendly but can take your wallet and ID if you're not careful. If you've never experienced an Aussie bruiser like this, think of it this way: it has a port or Amarone-like feel to it and can have similar after effects.
