Jed had a few of us over last night for wings, snacks and plenty of wine to go with the Final Four. Lots of fun, and some really great wines. Thanks again Jed!
1997 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Federspiel Steinterrasen
Not sure what happened here, but there's a strong vinyl/plastic aroma, barely any fruit and screechy acidity. Apparently not a representative bottle.
1998 Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Auslese
Fresh peach, apple and other ripe orchard fruits combined with floral accents, developing creaminess and touches of smoke. It's not overly sweet (comes across drier than some modern Spätlese) with nice balancing acidity; drinking very well right now but has plenty of time ahead.
2002 Harlan Estate The Maiden
A powerhouse of plummy dark fruits and berries seasoned with floral elements and savoury dark chocolate notes. This is very ripe and big but it's really well balanced with surprising freshness to the fruit for such a big wine, and a polished, velvety texture. There's still some tannin noticeable on the back end, but it's drinking beautifully right now with luscious, forward fruit, plenty of depth and persistence. Don't think I'll age my other bottle long...
2004 Carlisle Syrah Pelkan Ranch
Delicious stuff, very fruit-forward with a core of ripe plums and blackberries framed by smoky and peppery accents. It's very ripe and concentrated, but well balanced with the fruit coming across fresh rather than anything jammy or roasted, and all too easy to drink.
1998 Alban Vineyards Syrah Seymour's Vineyard
Really good, easily the best Alban Syrah I've had and the first that makes me think there's more to some of these wines than just big concentrated fruit. There's still plenty of powerful black fruit here but it's not immensely ripe and overwhelming as I've found in younger Albans, and there's plenty of noticeable development with strong bacon fat and leathery aromas and a savoury earthiness that emerges with some more air. Certainly a big wine, but well balanced with a sense of restraint. Really impressive.
1998 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm
Not particularly interesting. Packed with ripe black fruit with a strong minty topnote, very ripe and powerful but a little monolithic and heavy for my tastes.
2001 Sine Qua Non Midnight Oil Syrah
Very exotic with a great aromatic profile combining ripe berried fruit with smoky elements, lavender, violet and cardamom spice; the texture's quite decadent and velvety but at the same time it never feels heavy with surprising acidity that give the flavours a sense of freshness and elegance. This keeps unravelling more flavours and aromatic depth with air, and the finish just stays with you. Great wine.