With Kitt just back from New Zealand, I got an invitation to dinner at Lemuria just to catch up on the latest news with all our friends in wine. Kitt also wanted to show off the latest winery she represents and so we had a bottle of Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador Malbec 2007.
Deep, tarry nose. Quite strong acidity. It took a long time for this to come around. Some coffee, graphite, red fruits and rubber. The acidity was prominent throughout and especially in the finish. A bit of a disappointment for me as I know this winery has a very good reputation as one of Argentina's best. Maybe it just needs a couple of years in the bottle to come together.
Earlier in the day I also got a message from Bodjie to come over to Decanter for a Spanish tasting. As we ended the Lemuria dinner rather early, I was able to make it to Decanter just as the Grape Apes were finishing dinner. I got 7 Spanish wines served blind.
Mystery wine - While waiting for the Spanish wines and glasses to be prepared I was served this. Leafy, smoked meat. Light to medium-bodied. Soft tannins and spiky acidity. Not my type. Chateau Talbot 2004.
On to Spain. The rankings are mine. I didn't take note of the group's rankings.
Wine A - Good nose, a little meaty and rich. Flavors not too interesting though. Ranked #7 (last place). Rene Barbier Gran Reserva 1999.
Wine B - Sweet berry nose. Strawberry and cherry. Lightish, quite friendly. My #5. Irache Reserva 1999.
Wine C - A little stinky, rustic, earthy. My #6. Valduero Reserva 1999.
Wine D - Deep nose, dark, sweet, modern, tannic. Very nice. My #2. Mauro Vino de la Tierra Castilla 2005.
Wine E - Very dark. Sweet. rich. plum, fig, complex, modern. Lovely. My #1. Beronia III a.c. 2004
Wine F - Wet rags on the nose. Tannic, young, rich. Aside from the nose, very nice. My #3. Vina Albali Gran Reserva 1999.
Wine G - Berry fruit, dried herbs. Young, tannic. Good wine. My #4. Marques de Murrieta Reserva 2002.
Fun night. Glad I was able to make both events.