Finally conquering my backlog of notes from this past year (it's been a really busy summer and I've been focusing on keeping up with recent stuff). Organized this one for my new tasting group.
Alvear, Fino, Montilla-Moriles NV
Nose: hints of pear, grapey notes, a hint of stone fruit, creamy yeast, mineral, and spirit. Similar personality on the palate, though lower key than the nose and somewhat indistinct; citrus notes, rich texture, and big acid, with mineral and creamy yeast. Nice but unusual. 3 Stars [1/9/16]
Chateau Petite Vedrines, Sauternes 2010
2nd wine of Doisy-Vedrines. Nice but low-key nose, with hints of pear and stone fruits, with aromatic honey and floral notes, mace/allspice, and lots of mineral. On the palate, rich pear, hints of citrus rind, fresh apricot, fresh honey, floral nectar, mineral, and lots of nice allspice/mace. Great texture and good acid tone. 5 to 10 years ahead. 3 Stars. [1/9/16]
Bergeron Estates, Vidal Blanc Icewine, Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario) 2013
On the nose and palate, honey, apricot, loads of orange rind, mineral, and white pepper notes; somewhat Sauternes-like. Almost syrupy sweet, but with big acid. Big body and penetrating texture. Love it! 10 more years. 3.5 Stars [1/9/16]
Fattoria Viticcio, Dolce Arianna, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2005
On the nose, red fruit, caramel, raisin, and spirit. More low-key on the palate, with dense, tart stone fruit notes and lots of slightly bitter orange rind, hints of chocolate and caramel, tart raspberry, and raisin toward the spirity finish. Full bodied. Only slightly sweet and drinks like a dry wine due to the generous acid. Rather like a cream sherry. 10 years or more ahead. 3.5 Stars. [1/9/16]
Blandy’s, Malmsey, 5-year-old, Madeira NV
Lovely volcanic soil aromatics, with spirit, loads of big, rich, dark berry fruits, and orange rind. On the palate, wonderful chocolate and fig upfront, with orangey acidity, followed by dark red berry fruits, loads of fresh fig, and lots of smokey mineral. Huge body, great tone, penetrating, with a nice, sweet texture. 3.5 Stars [1/9/16]
Dow’s, Late Bottled Vintage, Porto 2008
Excellent nose: dark chocolate, black cherry, tart dried blackberry, Queen Anne cherries, currant, dates and figs, leather, fresh tobacco leaf, spirit, and pepper. Same notes on the palate, with loads of tart red fruit, and the addition of roses. Rich and dense in texture, but with big acid and great tone; becomes increasingly aromatic as it opens. The Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) comes through nicely. On the dry side for Port (which seems to be the house style), and powerful, even aggressive, but with elegant balance. An excellent Port! Will benefit from 5 more years to mellow. 15 to maybe 20 years ahead. 3.5 Stars. [1/9/16]