Preamble Tasting June 2002
From the Land of the Long White Cloud to Oenotria - Sophie's
Choice
Sophie Kiang-Anderson
1. Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, 2000
Very light, slightly green.
Nose with honey and cream of tartar. Quite light, less fruit than
expected. Very long fruity finish. Tropical fruits in a nice,
understated way. 13.5% A bit expensive at
€14.00
2. Te Awanga Chardonnay, Kim Crawford, Hawkes Bay, 1999
Really dark, like a desert
wine. Quite dumb. Hard to describe. Very ripe but with a
more Bordeaux feel to it. Quite striking (American) oak, maybe too
much of the smoky, honey flavour. 13% Unusual, nice, pricey,
maybe a bit too old and somewhat oxidised. Kim
Crawford won winemaker of the year two years running.
Wines Direct €16.76
3. Framingham Dry Riesling,
Marlborough, 1998
Nice deep
yellow. Again a bit dumb (probably from being too cold).
Great richness as it warms up. Very dry. Petrol.
Lovely. 13%
Magic Carpet €11.40
4. Huia Pinot Gris,
Marlborough, 2001
Light, elegant, very
herbaceous on the nose. Quite a lot of esters (pear flavours all
over it). I get oak and lots of fruit. 2001 was cool with little
rain, good ripening. I'm undecided on this one. Huia, btw,
is a bird, possibly extinct.
Searson €15.99
5. Reggiano Rosso, Single Estate,
2001
Very light,
pinkish. Very fresh, fruity, inexpensive and fine. Describes
as an "unfizzy Lambrusco" 12% alc. Between Emiglio. Romagna &
Lambrusca; 50 - 60% Ancellotta (so there!).
Marks & Spencer €7.05
6. Tesco Chianti Classico Riserva, 1998
May be made from 100% Sangiovese, or 90p% Sangiovese, 8%
Trebbiano, 2% Malvasia. Very dry and somewhat tannic.
Tesco €11.49
7. Lawsons Dry Hills Pinot Noir, Marlborough,
1999
Jammy
strawberry, Lovely fruit, some oak giving a smoky,
spicy finish. I like it, butt generally felt to be a bit overpriced
- you can get Hamilton Russell for the same(ish) money. 13.5%
McCabes €18.95
8. Matariki Quintology, Hawkes Bay, 1998
Nice, clean
red. Dark fruitcake! Nice tannins, long finish. Quite
jammy. Good wine, well assimilated, will improve with another while
in bottle. Made by John & Rosemary O'Connor from Cab
Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Cab Franc, Merlot.
Superquinn/Oddbins €19.23-20.50
9. Alasia Rive Barbera d'Asti,
1999
Nice,
deep, non-transparent red. Made in steel, then malo-lactic
fermentation in French oak. I always find it a bit bitter/tart, which
detracts from the nice, warm taste. Others love it!
McCabes €14.95
10. Tenuta di Valgiano Palistorti, Colline
Lucchesi Rosso, 1998
Deep soft slightly murky
red. Fresh nose. Very cool, very tannic but soft and coating.
Inky cherry, lots of fruit, way too young, promising. Sangiovese,
Syrah, Merlot, 13.5%
Searson €19.99
11. Masi Recioto della Valpolicella Classico, 1999
Really deep, wonderful
luscious nose. Sweet with a huge Amaro backbone. Gorgeous.
Served with Superquinn brack - Mmmm! Made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara
grapes, this one is aged in Slovenian oak.
Oddbins €21.21