Preamble Tasting March 2002
Richard Verling
Findlaters
1. Lugana 'Vigna J Frati', Ca dei Frati, 2000
Creamy,
grapefruit and pineapple. Lovely, although loses out with a slightly
watery finish. 100% Trebbiano di Lugana
€12 ish
2. Sauvignon de Saint Bris, William Fevre, 2000
Not a
typical Sauvignon nose - first sense is of Riesling. Beautifully
rounded. Made in stainless steel. Not up to its price
tag but still lovely.
€16
3. Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume, Bouchard
Pere et Fils, 1999
Beautifully
crisp, fruity nose. Toasty oak and lots of fruit, but not overly so,
well balanced but lacking depth.
€25
4. Pinot Gris 'Prince Abbes', Evelyn Schlumberger, Alsace 1999
Nose
with some of that light, scented, 'Cuvee des Amours' Pinot Blanc scent,
but much more honeyed. Really opulent but well balanced, the honey
stiffened with 13.5% alcohol. Try with Foie Gras or pear tart.
€16
5. Vina Real Crianza,
Cune, Spain, 1999
Light
red, hint of orange. Quite dumb. Predominantly Tempranillo,
American oak but not too hard. Juicy, well-made, easy drinking
without being too upfront.
€10.50
6. Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia, 1999
Farmyard, burnt rubber. Perhaps a hint of sourness. Not
at all up to its usual standard - a teeny bit off, I fear. Shame, I
love it. 13.5%
€18
7. Domaine de Limbardie, Vin de Pays, Coteaux du Murviel, 2000
Lovely
dark red, a hint of farmyard on the nose. tarry, amaro style.
Milk/condensed milk. Cab/Merlot blend, drinking well now.
Perhaps change in style; I have some 1995 that is still young.
€8.50
8. Mapa Merlot, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, 2000
Lovely
rich, dark, velvet. Very unusual nose - minty? Milky? Not too
soft, lots of wood, herbaceous, very French style. Lovely label too.
13.5%
€12
9. Don Melchior, Cabernet Sauvignon, Concha y
Toro, 1997
Beautiful,
elegant looking dark red. Nose blackcurrant, spearmint rather
than peppermint. Quite tannic, pastilles. Not near ready but
going to be great. 7-9 years? Buy now!
€25
10. Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva, 1994
Lovely
clear, red. Gorgeous, clean fruity nose with violets, sweet vanilla
of American oak Last 20 years? Still tannins, very flavoured -
fruit gums and milk. Buy even at this price and keep. Bit too dear,
perhaps ... the recommendation is more circumspect give the price.
€35.00
11. Duca d'Aragona, Rosso del Salento, Cadido, 1995
Mid
dark, clear, rich red. Montepulciano and Negro Amaro in new oak;
stern, polished, fruity with a dash of bitterness. Yum. 14%
€19.00
12. Domaine de Vieux Telegraphe, Chateauneuf du Pape, 1999
Cherry
red with lots of legs. Big white pepper and fruit aroma. Very
tannic but fruity. Cloaks the palate. Price has gone up a
lot. Probably more grenache than usual. Buy it if you can
afford it :( I remember the last of my stock of 1985 with deep
fondness and regret at its passing. This is not a patch on it.
But then, I'm probably biased. 14%
€30.00
13. Wynn's Michael Shiraz, 1997
Dark
as a port. Red fruit pastilles. New oak? Some tannin,
very silky, huge fruit but by no means overblown. Absolutely
gorgeous! If the money didn't matter it'd be three stars, well, two
and a half anyway.
€55 ish