Four of us met for some rare beef. The other three are even more new to wine than I am, so they asked for a theme: one old world and one new world that would show some general differences between the styles. This is, of course, an impossible task, but I hope I managed to portray some contrasting styles with my choices:
Château Gressier Grand Poujeaux 2005 - Moulis-en-Médoc; 50/50 CS & Merlot; 13% abv; 21,70€
When I have grown more and more bored with Boredaux, this wine, in both '05 and '06, has been one that has kept up my faith in the area. Classic aromas of loam and blackcurrant leaf, much ripeness as expected from the vintage, but nothing over the top. Good tannins, savoury, refreshing finish. Really very enjoyable and well received by the others as well.
I have never understood why the lashings of toasty new oak are supposed to appeal to those of us who drink wine relatively early. I find the tannins of traditional Bordeaux much more easy to handle than the sickeningly sweet toffeed sensations of the so-called early-drinking Bordeaux.
A. & I. Baron von Essen Capaia 2007 - Wine of Origin Philadelphia, South Africa; 14% abv; CS 37%, Merlot 26%, CF 19%, PV 18%; 25,90€
This is an area of SA that I hadn't heard of before. Apparently it is a relatively cool climate due to the Atlantic influence.
But it doesn't really seem like a cool climate wine: rich, voluptuous, open and expressive aromatics, with a bit of the baked bean and loam character I so often find with these blends. Much oak, but it isn't the annoying, sweet, toffee scent, but a more savoury, coffee bean type. Very rich and sweet, bordering on jammy. A huge hit around the table. I won't be buying any of this, but I thought it was a very well made example of the bigger style.