Maurice Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Narbantons” 1996
July 09th, 2006
An excellent pinot noir from this impressive producer expressing the terroir and vintage with aplomb. Healthy medium ruby with only minimal lightening in the edges followed by a sexy bouquet harbouring spicy, sappy notes of cherries, plums and a nice touch of savoury oak. Of medium body, the sleek palate provides ample flavours mimicking the nose to a tee, crisp acidity, the finest of fluffy tannins and a superbly delineated, mouthfilling departure. Although ready to drink this wine displays sufficient freshness and vitality to reward another 5-8 years superior drinking. 91 points.
Leo Buring Special Release Eden Valley Riesling 1998
July 07th, 2006
Glowing yellow gold. Enticing bouquet of citrus, toast, ripe pineapple, peach, green apples and passionfruit with a distinct suggestion of minerals. Similarly fruited on the palate, not classical by any stretch of the imagination, nonetheless, nicely poised and quite polished. Of medium-weight, beautifully etched and integrated acid regime with plenty of that same ripe fruit running throughout a lengthy sweet’n’sour finish. Excellent, albeit slightly atypical for this label (in this case, a declassified Leonay), maker and many bottles of same opened over the the last several years. 90 points. Drink now-2010.