Short notes on wines from Easter lunch and dinner.
Two Hands The Bull and The Bear Cabernet/Shiraz 2005 - From Barossa Valley. Opened the day before Easter. Very rich and oaky. I could barely drink this. Tried it again at Easter lunch. Much better integrated, with the oak significantly subdued. Still a big wine but a good match for an equally rich and flavorful beef stew.
Dr. Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2006 - Good fragrance. Slightly leafy, minty. Light, friendly, apple and faint hints of orange. A little burnt sugar. Very good.
Cuvee du Vatican Reserve Sixtine Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 - Dark chocolate. A little spicy, leather. Very dry. Very tight even after decanting for over an hour. Definitely needs a couple of more years to open up. Try again in 3 years or so.
d'Arenberg Stump Jump Sticky Chardonnay 2008 - Good nose showing botrytis character. Very rich, thick ,oily. Burnt sugar. Very in-your-face. Strange, salty flavor beneath the intense sweetness. Lacks acidity for balance. Surprisingly weak finish. Not bad for the price.