2005 St Innocent Chardonnay Anden Vineyard 25% new oak
This one showed a little more richness than other SI Chards. On the nose, you get flowers, light toast and a hint of tropical fruit. The Chards always show nice restraint on the nose. The Anden is not as steely as the Freedom Hill. But the richness balances out with the acidity. Easily enjoyed without food but like all SI wines, better with food. The finish has a caramelized element to it. A small touch of rocks but not a mineral based chardonnay. 90 pts.
Around 6 years ago, I seemed to have stopped buying as many Spanish wines. I collect a few since there is often a lot of uniqueness at great prices.
2004 Pesquera Ribera del Duero
Did not decant but drank over 4 hours and saved half of the bottle for a second day. Took a little while for the nose to wake up … but it did wake up. Certainly a touch of pencil lead. Nice boysenberry cobbler (didn’t expect that). Very ripe and thick. Sweet oak. The nose continues to open up as the night went on. On the second day, there was also a touch of chocolate. On the palate the tannins are drying but sweet. A rather big wine. On the first day I may have guessed Shiraz with a generous amount of American Oak. On the second day showed much more like Tempranillo. Undertones of leather and minerals. But on the second day it actually tasted like a much older wine. More red fruit and tart acidity. Still very drying. The wood needs to integrate. The main flavor that remained on the finish was Sherry. The wine is very young and with its track record, it should integrate into a very nice wine. But I am a bit on the fence. 89-91 pts.
Jason