Fritz Haag M-S-R Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese 1998 - infantile, glowing straw/green colour. Starbright. Reticent nose at first but eventually loosening (no doctor pun here) to reveal a slightly baggy (as in corked) nose masking white peach, redcurrant and green apple fruit. The pure and well-delineated palate houses the merest shread of TCA, once again, revealing a lovely mix of typical Mosel "sweet and sour" fruit characters, moderate weight, especially for a Spatlese, excellent texture and good persistence. If not for the TCA, this might rate as Excellent.
Lindeman's Coonawaara Limestone Ridge Shiraz Cabernet 1991 - just a vibe on this one - garnet hue, plummy, smooth, silky, long and satisfying with plenty of nicely meshed American oak. Fully mature. Lovely wine.
Geantet-Pansiot Gevrey-Chambertin 1998 - as one notable scribe will have you believe, 1998 was a total disaster in Burgundy. Somehow this wine forgot to share/respect his thoughts. Good solid medium ruby holding almost to the very outer edge. Effusive, sappy, perfumed nose of spicy dark plums, mixed spice, solid savoury oak input and still with plenty of carry. Several hours after being opened, a bitter chocolate character can be added to the mix. In the mouth, the wine displays admirable pinosity with ripe acids and gritty tannins cushioning the green plum and black cherry fruit, assertive oak, medium- to full-body, exemplary balance and a dry, succulent, lengthy finish. Quite large framed and very serious for a villages. Rated as Excellent, this delightful wine is nowhere near its' zenith. Good job, G-P!
