A Personal Selection
Michael Meagher & Ray
Dowdall, Gleeson Wines
A good night was had by all, even if I did have to miss out on a Rhone master-class to be there. I'm tempted to publish some of Ray's better jokes but ...
1. Cycles Gladiator, Pinot Grigio, Central Coast, California, 2005
Great
label. Belonged
to a French bicycle manufacturer. Lychees, pears, melons on the nose, with
citrus and apple flavours and a mineral core. Quite noticeable alcohol (13.5%)
giving some sweetness. Gentle length. Very nice.
€11.95
2. Deep woods, Margaret River, Australia, 2005
Pale green (hard to see with
typically lousy lighting). Trop;ical fruits, explodes with citrus
and passion fruit in the mouth, hint of sweetness but good balancing acid:
Crisp, honeyed; nice, lingering finish. Alc13%. Semillon 40%, Sauvignon Blanc
30%, Chardonnay 30%.
€12.50
3. La Baume Selection, VDP
Languedoc Rousillon Blanc, 2003
Rich yellow; nose
butterscotch and fruit, feels a little bit dilute at entry but opens to a
good burn and big mouth feel. Good fruit. Nice without being exceptional
at a very fair price. 13.5%
€10.95
4. Villa Bizzarri ‘Girone dei
Folli’, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, 2003
Rich ruby with a big dark
fruitcake nose. very fresh and light, some burn, nicely rounded and
well-balanced with soft tannins and good acid; will last 3-5 years. 13.5%.
€10.95
5. Agostina Pieri, Rosso di
Montalcino DOC, 2002
Lovely gentle but pronounced
nose; Quite young, very fruity, quite a burn and not a lot of tannin.
Quite earthy with a hint of green sapwood about it; A wash of strawberries
and a hint of bitterness. Lovely but pricey.
€22
6. Tenuta Dei Portale Riserva,
Aglianico del Vulture DOC, 1999
Light, vibrant red with a
touch of lighter edge. Big, vbery Italian nose; very amaro, dry, sharp,
balanced, holds the level at which it entered, well-rounded tannins give a
good grip, warmth, mineral - someone said burnt ash - and it is grown on
the side of a volcano!
Made in the
traditional style in large oak barrels; has good aging potential although
drinking well already.
€17.95
7. Arco de Guia, Reserva,
Toro, Duero, Spain, 2000
Ruby, doesn't look its age.
Beautiful light fruitcake nose opening to a beautiful, slightly spicy, red
fruit and cedar. Slightly powdery, good fruit and acid, some burn,nice
grip, lovely fruity finish.
€15
8.
La Baume Selection, VDP Languedoc Roussillon Rouge, France 2002
Deep colour, a bit vegeatl on
the nose.Really fruit pastille, bit of burn from 14.5% alc, some
bitterness at the end, decent grip; years to go.
€11
9.
Vergelegen Merlot, South Africa, 1999
Ruby with a slight fade at
the edges. Quite vegetal, lots of fruit still there. Initially very
bright and fruity, surprisingly fresh - hint of sweetness, creamy, rich,
rounded. Tannins nearly gone, a little sourness at the end and a burn in
the finish. Very nice, big for a Merlot. Get the roast beef!
14% alc.
€22
10.
Craneford Old Vine Grenache, Australia, 2004
Tea! Beautiful fruit,
sweetness, wonderfully smooth, raspberry. Bit of burn at the front.
Maybe just a bit jammy? 15% alc.
€18