The other evening, here in town, I was fortunate to cohost a wine tasting for "Wine Intermediates". Many taking part have been to some wine basics courses that I have been involved with so nice to see the progression!!
`04 William Fevre Chablis (Chablis France).
Third time I have tasted this excellent entry-level chardonnay from Fevre. Wine has all the characteristics, floral and mineral. Green apple, biting acidity but clean. Good depth and drinking well.
`05 Desert Hills Unoaked Chardonnay (Okanagan BC).
New winery for me and top notch for many at the tasting. More herbal than the Fevre, long citrus finish and went well with the shrimp in garlic butter. Floral nose, peach, pineapple. I expected the least here but was surprised.
`03 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay (SA).
Light gold in colour, nose of blossoms, orange peel, peach. Butterscotch and a oily finish. For me, something missing in mid-palate? Could have sampled something a lot better than this. Dull wine.
`04 J.L.Chave "Offerus" (St. Joseph, Rhone Valley).
Purchased grapes, never been impressed with this wine in the past. Decanted 2 hrs, nose still closed. White pepper everywhere, light with a short finish. Needs time for sure but will it come around? Did not exactly fly off the shelf.
`03 Chatter Creek "Lonesome Spring Ranch" Syrah (Yakima/Columbia Valley, Washington).
WOTN for me and many at tasting. Garage operation and hear good things about the cab franc!! Certainly not austere, great nose with nice blueberry on palate. Great with roast beef and b choy. Deep purple and inviting drink me now nose. I like this one forumites.
`01 Saltram No.1 Shiraz (Barossa V).
Biggest depth in colour of the three reds here and nose opens nicely with spice and cigar box. To me this wine is all beginning=middle=end. Not much going on but boy did the room like it!! Big medal winner of course and sells well everywhere. After the Chatter Creek, nothing was going to work for me!!!
`03 d`Arenberg Fortified Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Aust).
First experience for many and some "did not like sweet red wines". This is always gonna age nicely, lots of raspberry jam but needs time. The finish has some hazelnut and butterscotch hints and not as spirity as some ports I know.