Chile, Argentina - and others
Richard Ecock, Dunnes Stores
1.
Clos Malverne Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, 2004
Gooseberry nose. Fresh
but not too zingy, a touch of floral. Nice at the proce.
€8.99
2. Brocard Chablis Premier Cru 2002
Acid drops nose. Quite a lot
of vanilla at first sip; rich and butterscotch, clean. Very nice, well
balanced.
€17.99
3. Chablis Pierre Ponelle,
Premier Cru, 2003
Very little nose (too cold).
At first feels somewhat watery - a little over the top? Slight oxidation,
nutty, complex but despite the advantage of a better vintage it doesn't
come near the Brocard.
€17.99
4. Las Casas del Toqui, Merlot
Reservado, Chile, 2002
Nice nose, some Eucalyptus.
Quite a harsh centre detracting from the fruit. Not to my taste at all;
others liked it.
€10.99
5.
Las Casas del Toqui, Cabernet Sauvignon Prestige, Chile, 2000
Cassis nose. Very
concentrated. Fruit and crunchy tannin. Probably way too young; not
together yet. in the glass develops a decent fruit pastille flavour with a
hint of mint.
€12.99
6. Santa Isabel Reserve
Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2003
Slightly jammy but reserved
nose. Much better on the palate despite a powdery taste (unfiltered?).It
keeps changing and definitely needs food. 14%
€9.79
7. Don Nicanor Cabernet
Sauvignon/Malbec, Argentina, 2002
Dark and brooding. An
unexpectedly light nose. Quite jammy, some tannins, black fruits, mint.
All over the place. Big and chewy. Improved in the glass;
condensed milk appeared too. Not bad.14%
€12.99
8. Michelton Shiraz,
Voctoria, Australia 2002
Quite restrained nose.
Black berry fruits with a hint of chocolate. Silky, shoe polish, quite a
bit of burn (14.5%). Fruitcake, eucalyptus, fruit gums. Big and very
nice.
€13.99
9. McRae Wood, Clare
Valley Shiraz, S Australia, 2001
Dark, murky. Strange nose;
cedar, loads of fruit, soft but big, raspberry, complex, lovely. A long
finish, with some burn and a bit of pepper on the lips. Very good value at
the price.
€20.47