(Almost) Rodney's Choice
Tony Fahy
Our esteemed colleague Rodney Shaw was unable to present his selection due to illness. our president stepped into the breach at short notice and showed some of Rodney's choices complemented with his own.
1. Lugano, San Benedetto, Zenato, 2005
Beautifully flowery, citrus
and apples, peaches, ripe, unctuous - but with a nice zing. Trebbiana de
Lugano grape, from San Benedetto south of Lake Garda. 13%
Searson
€13
2. Fox Creek Verdelho, McLaren Vale, SA, 2005
Verdelho is used for white
port. This felt slightly off on the nose, but was nice in the mouth
with a long, limey finish. 13.5%
Oddbins €12.49
3. Springfield Estate
Sauvignon Blanc 'Life from Stone', Robertson, Soith Africa, 2003
Wouldn't have believed it was
new world. Gooseberry, lovely springy, zingy, bicuity. Huge fruit,
very long finish. Lovely. 12.5%
O'Brien's €16.67
4. Chateau de Varrains,
Saumur-Champigny, Langlois-Chateau, 2001
This is 100% Cabernet franc.
Unfortunately it was off.I got a taste of the second bottle; nice and
fresh but a bit sharp and running out of fruit. Not at this price. 12.5%.
€17.99
5. Chateau Cantemerle,
Haut-Medoc, 1999
Nice woodiness on the nose.
Mid to deep red. Lovely grip, stern but fruity; brambly, smoky. Could do
with a few more years. A 5eme cru. 12.5% alc.
Oddbins €33.99 - 20% off
6. Musella, Valpolicella
Superiore, 2001
A slight lightening at the
rim. Quite dumb, not too warm country, very fresh, loads of fruit, good
grip, good bitterness at edge of tongue. Long finish. 13%. Lovely.
Made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara somewhat east of Verona,
Superiore means at least 12% and a year or more in oak.
Oddbins €15.29
7.
Ravenswood Lodi, Old Vine Zinfandel, 2004
Interesting bitter fruit
nose. Hugely fruity; green fruit pastilles, big fruit, some powdery
tannins. Some sweetness from the alsohol. No jamminess. Lovely. 14.5%
Widely avaiolable €14.29
8.
La Bernardine, Chateauneuf du Pape, Chapoutier, 2004
Light, slightly pink, long
legs. 100% Grenache. Bit dumb; very young. Leathery grip, some fire, a
little green. Not sure I'd pay this much for it. 14.5%
Oddbins €30.49
9.
Wynn's Majella Coonawarra Shiraz, SA, 2003
Very deep red. Some cabbage
as it warmed up. Cherry, freshness, bit of burn, a little grip. Very
elegant.
Oddbins €21.99
10.
Torbreck Woodcutter Shiraz, 2005
Deep and murky. Very clean.
Sweeter than I like. Nice bit of tannin on the teeth to offset it.
Very nice but I far preferred the Majella. The '04 was awarded best in
Ireland under €20.
€15.99