| California |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Alban Vineyards Viognier 2005 (Edna Valley) 15% |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £21.50 |
Quite yellow. Oaky nose with apricots and oil. Palate rather harsh and woody: modest development with a hot/bitter finish |
4 |
| Antinori Antica Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Napa) 15.5% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Berkmann £35 |
Very good colour. Some fruit on nose. Still tight, with good rich blackcurrant fruit under: very long, very young finish. |
6 |
| Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir 2005 (Santa Maria) 13.5% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Philglas & Swiggot £21 |
Quite pale. Rather acidic cherry nose. Oddly tannin and harsh on palate and finish. Too young?? |
4 |
| Avila Pinot Noir 2004 (San Luis Obispo) 14% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
about £20 |
Quite well made, in the New World sweet ripe fruit style |
5 |
| Beringer Fume Blanc 2003 (Napa Valley) 13.5% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
|
Oak rather overbalances palate, some finish but unexciting |
4 |
| Bonny Doon Syrah 2005 (Central Coast) 13.5 |
CLWS 23.7.08 |
Manks & Spencer £11 |
Moderate colour with pale rim. Violets and mint on nose. Some red fruit but high acidity: quite good length but little development |
4+ |
| Bonterra Vionier 2006 (Mendecino) 14% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Majestic £10 |
Deep yellow. Exotic fruits on nose. Quite well balanced, but fruit has faded. |
4 |
| Cameron Hughes Lot 72 Meritage 2005 (Napa) 14.1% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Costco, Houston £7.50 |
Bordeaux blend plus Syrah. Good colour. Fruity nose. Some fruit of palate, but simple and commercial |
4 |
| Cartlidge & Browne Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Napa County) 13.5% |
CLWS 29.8.07 |
Albion Wines £8 |
Quite dark. Blackcurrant nose, slightly inky. Palate dominated by ripe tannins and over-ripe fruit: fairly straightforward. |
4+ |
| Cartlidge & Browne Chardonnay 2005 (Napa County) 13.5% |
CLWS 29.8.07 |
Albion Wines £8 |
Yellow colour. Flowers and some oak on nose. Big and round but lacks crispness: fair length |
4 |
| Cartlidge & Browne Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Napa County) 13% |
CLWS 27.08.08 |
Bin Ends £7 |
Some yellow. Oily, retrained nose. Soft, oily palate with lemon acidity and some length |
4 |
| Charles Shaw Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Napa) 12.5% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Trader Joe's $2.99 |
Pale. Gooseberry nose. Off dry Sauvignon fruit, some acidity. Little depth or finish |
3 |
| Cline Cellars Marsanne 2002 (Carneros) 14.3% |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £14.50 |
Moderate depth, some browning. Nose has dark fruits and tar. Acid structure covers fruit: quite long, still developing. Needs time |
4+ |
| Cline Cellars White Truck 2004 13.5% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Waitrose £9 |
Sauvignon Blanc + Chardonnay, Viognier and Pinot Grigio. Pale yellow. Light aromatic nose. Mixed, slightly tropical fruits on palate, with oak, oil and some acidity: moderate length |
4+ |
| Cline Cellars Zinfandel 2006 14% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Wine Treasury £10 |
Bought in. Modest colour.Nose and palate lack intensity. Fruit is balanced by slightly green acidity: modest length. |
5- |
| Clos du Bois Chardonnay 2002 (Sonoma) |
HASS 15.05.08 |
Eagle Wines £12 |
Bright yellow. Corked nose. Flat and chunky. |
1 |
| Conundrum 2006 13.5% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Wine Treasury £17 |
Sauvignon Blanc + Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli etc. Green-gold. Tropical fruit on nose and palate, with oak and good acidity: some length and complexity, but still mostly primary flavours |
5+ |
| Cycles Gladiators Merlot 2004 (Central Coast) 13.5% |
CLWS 7.3.07 |
Waitrose £7 |
Rich nose with oak, cherries and plums. Balanced palate with ripe fruit and tannins: moderate length and complexity |
5+ |
| Cycles Gladiators Pinot Grigio 2005 13.5% |
HASS 17.5.07 |
Waitrose £7 |
Some smokey character on nose. Good weight, but a bit short and coarse |
4+ |
| Dominus 1995 (Napa) 14% |
HASS 15.05.08 |
about £75 |
CS 80% with other Bordeaux grapes. 40% new oak. Very deep colour with considerable browning. Minty blackcurrant nose with some vegetal development. Very powerful and well balanced; extremely long and complex. Reminiscent of Ch Pichon-Lalande. Nearly ready |
7- |
| Duckhorn Migration Pinot Noit 2005 (Anderson Valley) 14% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Wine Treasury £24 |
Moderate colour. Oak and strawberries on nose. Cooked fruit, vanilla and moderate acidity on palate: spice and alcohol on end. Should age |
5- |
| Dutcher Crossing Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah 2006 14.5% |
IWD 16.8.09 |
Ex-cellars £21 |
Black red. Little nose. Good balance - elegant without huge fruit: good length |
6- |
| Edmeades Pinot Noir 1996 (Alexander Valley) |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £16 |
Dull, very pale. Oak on nose – no fruit or secondary characteristics. Hints of jam and vinegar on palate, raw finish. Gone. |
2 |
| Fetzer Bonterra Viognier 2006 14% |
IWD 28.06.08 |
Majestic £10 |
Moderate colour. Backward nose. Rounded, with some tropical fruit and a moderate finish |
4+ |
| Fetzer Chardonnay/Viognier 2005 13.3% |
HASS 15.05.08 |
Oddbins £5 |
80/20 blend. Yellow colour, backward nose. Straightforward, pleasant comercial wine |
4 |
| Fox Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 1997 (Sonoma County) 13.5% |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £12 |
SB 78% Viognier 20%. Pale colour. Nose has beetroot and US oak. Slightly madeirised on palate – mostly interesting secondary characteristics |
5- |
| Francis Copola Presents Directors Cut Zinfandel 2006 (Dry Creek, Sonoma) 15% |
CLWS 27.08.08 |
Bin Ends £15.25 |
Black. Sharp raspberry nose. Mouthfilling, but structure predominates at present: huge length but needs time to develop |
6- |
| Francis Copola Presents Rubicon Estate Cabernet 2003 (Rutherford, Napa Valley) 15% |
CLWS 27.08.08 |
Bin Ends £48 |
Black-red with a pale fringe. Nose has oak, dark fruit and leather. Quite a mature, dense palate with excellent balance: very long and spicy. Will develop further |
6+ |
| Home Ranch Pinot Noir 2006 (Sonoma) 14% |
CLWS 8.4.09 |
Marks & Spencer £10 |
Modest colour. Baked, vegetal nose. Ungenerous and very hot and acidic. Not very nice |
3 |
| Kakomo Peter's Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) 14.8% |
IWD 18.7.09 |
Ex-cellars £34 |
Good colour. Red fruit and flowers on nose. Big palate with lots of ripe fruit, oak and acidity: very long, but only just starting to develop. |
6+ |
| Kautz Ironstone Ridge Cabernet Franc 2002 (Sierra Foothills) |
HASS 17.5.07 |
Majestic £7 |
Solid colour. Some tobacco on nose. Good fruit and structure: fair length |
5 |
| Kautz Ironstone Ridge Cabernet Franc 2003 (Sierra Foothills) 13.5% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Majestic £7 |
Some colour. Nose has tobacco. Rather thin and ungenerous on palate; some length. Perhaps needs a little more time |
4 |
| Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay 2005 13.5% |
CLWS 27.08.08 |
Bin Ends £10.35 |
Yellow-gold. Toasty, smoky oak on nose. Vanilla, butter and citric acidity: powerful and long, but rather hot on finish. |
5 |
| Luna Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2005 (Napa Valley) 15% |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £17.90 |
Yellow. Backward nose with a touch of oak. Some fruit, oil and acidity, not yet integrated: long finish has nuts. |
5 |
| Madrona El Dorado Port 2004 (Camino) 18.2% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Ex cellars $26 (50 cl) |
Port grapes.Young red colour. Cooked fruit and spirit on nose. Moderately sweet, balancing acidity, but not much of a Port character |
4+ |
| Marilyn Merlot 2004 (Napa Valley) 13.5% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Wine Treasury £20 |
90% Merlot, 10% CS. Good colour, pale to edge. Plums and leather on nose. Ripe fruit balanced by tannin: good length with some development, mint hints on end |
5 |
| Mondavi CK Vineyards Wildwood Canyon Merlot 1999 |
HASS 15.05.08 |
Eagle Wines £10 |
80% Merlot + CS, Syrah, Petit Verdot. Dull brown colour. Madierised nose. Rough and clunky. Oxidised and probably corked |
1 |
| Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir 2004 (Sonoma Coast) |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £37.60 |
Moderate colour. Hot country Pinot nose with cooked strawberries. Over-ripe fruit balanced by acidity: rather rubbery on end. |
4 |
| Parducci Petite Sirah 2004 (Mendocino) 13.5% |
CLWS 27.08.08 |
Bin Ends £8.50 |
Black with a pink fringe. Backward nose, with black fruit. Tannic, with some ripe fruit under: fair length, but rather lean and astringent. |
4+ |
| Parducci Petite Sirah 2005 (Mendocino) |
HASS 15.05.08 |
Oddbins £7.59 |
Black red. Peppery dark fruits. Ripe fruit with acidity and hints of tannin; modest straightforward finish |
4+ |
| Pride Mountain Chardonnay 2004 (Carneros & Napa) 14.3% |
HASS 15.05.08 |
Ex cellars $35 |
Mid gold. Backward nose. Quite oaky and oily with lots of ripe fruit; long balanced finish. Could age further |
5 |
| Quady’s Elysium Black Muscat 2005 15% |
CLWS 14.3.07 |
Majestic £6 HB |
Browning pink. Nose is warm with grapes, cherries and spice. Well balanced palate with cherry fruit, tannin and acidity: reasonable length |
5+ |
| Quady’s Elysium Black Muscat 2007 15% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Majestic £8.50 HB |
Ruby red. Black cherries and grapes on nose. Sweet fruit, good acidity and finish |
5 |
| Qupe Bien Nacido Syrah 2003 (Santa Maria) 14.5% |
CLWS 13.08.08 |
Berry Bros £23 |
Very dark colour. Black fruit aromas. Structure overwealms fruit at present: very long, with spicy development, but rather fdry and hot on end. |
5+ |
| Ragged Point MRM 2006 (Paso Robles) 13.5% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Tesco £7 |
Marsanne/Rousanne/Muscat. Pale. Grapy nose. Off dry plaate, dominated by Muscat: some finish |
4 |
| Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2004 (Amador County) 14% |
CLWS 11.4.07 |
about £10 |
Light nose with cherry fruit. Not much weight or depth of fruit on palate: finish has green acidity. |
4+ |
| Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel 2001 (Dry Creek) 14.6% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Ex-cellars $20 |
Showing some age. Fruit drying out, finish rather astringent. Too old, or a poor bottle? |
5- |
| Ridge Getserville 2003 (Alexander Valley) 14.5% |
HASS 17.5.07 |
Bin Ends £23 |
Zinfandel, Carignan & Petite Sirah. Full colour. Cherry nose. Very fruity, with good balancing structure: very long, some development |
6 |
| Ridge Lytton Springs 1998 (Montebello) 14% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
|
77% Zinfandel. Ripe fruit and reasonable strucutre. Little development, but a long rich finish. |
6+ |
| Ridge Lytton Springs 2000 (Montebello) 14.5% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Philglas & Swiggot £25 |
Zinfandel & Petit Sirah. Excellent fruit and strucutre, with lots of development, but getting volatile on end. Drink up |
6- |
| Ridge Lytton Springs 2005 (Montebello) 14.5% |
CLWS 23.9.09 |
Wine Direct £25 |
Pink edge to black colour. Some black fruit on nose. Very rich on palate with excellent structure, length and complexity |
6 |
| Ridge Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon 1994 12.5% |
HASS 15.05.08 |
about £100 |
73% CS, 15% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 3% CF. Black-red with a narrow fringe. Mature nose with some volatility and alcohol showing. Subtle, with lots of components resolving in the glass - not yet in balance; long finish is still developing. |
6- |
| Ridge Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 12.5% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
|
Some Merlot and Petit Verdot. Young colour. Backward nose. Hard palate, with some leafy fruit: finish is tight and rather short |
5- |
| Rutherford Edizione Pennino Zinfandel 2004 (Napa Valley) 15% |
CLWS 29.8.07 |
Albion Wines £23 |
Deep colour. Black fruits. Tight palate with big rich fruits: long finish with chocolate and eucalyptus. Needs some time. |
6+ |
| Rutherford Hill Merlot 2001 (Napa Valley) 14.5% |
CLWS 29.8.07 |
Albion Wines £18 |
Aging colour. Heathrow aromas. Not much fruit, rather astringent and hot – thinning on end. |
4+ |
| Saintsbury Pinot Noir 1986 (Carneros) |
CLWS 23.5.07 |
|
Showing age on nose – fully manury. Round, ripe fruit and good acidity: very long, possibly slightly hot on end. Fully ready |
6 |
| Saintsbury Pinot Noir 2004 (Carneros) 13.5% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Moderately full colour. Red fruits on nose. Well balanced fruit and acidity. Good length, some vegetal development |
6 |
| Saintsbury Pinot Noir 2006 (Carneros) 13.5% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Majestic £20 |
Moderate colour. Cherry nose. Oak tannins with elegant fruit under; moderate length, little development |
5 |
| Segesio Zinfandel 2005 (Sonoma) 15% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Majestic £20 |
Deep red. Red fruit nose. Fresh and quite rich, good weight and finish, but not much development |
5 |
| Segesio Zinfandel 2006 (Sonoma) 16% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Virgin £14 |
Black colour. Typical fruit and oak nose. Rounded palate with some tannin: rather straightforward finish |
4+ |
| Selby Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (Alexander Valley) 13.9% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Ex-cellars $20 |
Rich, spicy Californian Cabernet. Ready |
6 |
| Selby Old Vines Zinfandel 2001 (Dry Creek) 14.3% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Ex-cellars $20 |
Very rich and deep. Again à point |
6 |
| Selby Zinfandel Port 2000 (Dry Creek) 18.3% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Ex-cellars $25 |
Dense colour, fringing to tawny. Madierised nose. Sweet, palate and finish rather undefined. |
5 |
| Robert Sinsky Vineyard Reserve 1999 (Napa) 14% |
HASS 15.05.08 |
Ex-cellars $32 |
52% Merlot, 28% CS, 20% CF. Dark colour with brown on rim. Nose has plums and new oak. Subtle, well-balanced palate with some length, but lacks power and complexity |
5 |
| Spring Mountain 1996 (Napa Valley) 13.5% |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £16 |
Touch of Semillon oiliness, oak and acidity in balance: slightly hot on end. Doesn’t show its age. |
5 |
| Stag's Leap Chardonnay 2001 (Napa Valley) 14% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
|
Maturing well, with good fruit and retrained oak. Quite long, some complexity |
5 |
| Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay 2005 (Napa Valley) 13.5% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Wine Treasury £23 |
Pale yellow. Flowers and oil on nose. Oak and a delicate lemon acidity offset oily fruit: good complexity, with some herbal aromas at end. |
5+ |
| Stag's Leap Petite Sirah 1999 (Napa Valley) 14% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
about £20 |
No particular varietal character, but good weight of fruit, with balancing structure and a long finsh |
5+ |
| Stolpman Syrah 2004 (Santa Ynez Valley) 15.2% |
CLWS 24.10.07 |
Ex-cellars $25 |
Black colour with red edge. Hot nose, with Syrah aromas and alcohol. New wood tannins ovelie ripe fruit: finish still has lots of structure, plus leather and some floral hints. Needs a year or two. |
5+ |
| Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 (Alexander Valley) 14% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Wine Treasury £25 |
17 months in French oak. Colour is showing some maturity, as is nose. Well balanced blackcurrant fruit balanced with oak tannins and acidity: long and developiong well - manure on end. Nearly ready |
5+ |
| Tepusquet Vineyards Syrah 1996 (Santa Maria) 14% |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Wine Treasury £19.50 |
Made by Kendall Jackson. Moderate depth, lots of browning. Some Syrah character to nose, with manure. Acidity dominates ripe fruit: lots of development with eucalyptus prominent. |
5 |
| Sean Thackery Pleiades XII 14% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
|
Syrah, Barbera, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Sangiovese & Viognier from different vineyards, probably mostly 2001 vintage. Bottlled in 2003. Looks quite mature. No real character on nose. Plate has ripe fruit and citric acidity but is disappointing on finish |
5- |
| Sean Thackery Pleiades XV 14.5% |
CLWS 25.06.08 |
Wine Treasury £25.60 |
Bottled 2006. Dud bottle: dull, dirty colour with an oxidised, varnishy nose. |
1 |
| Tin Barn Syrah 2002 (Sonoma Coast) 14% |
GCS 6.10.06 |
|
Looks young. Spicy nose. Still quite hard acidty on ripe fruit: lots of length and complexity. Needs time |
6- |
| Miguel Torres Miramar Estate Acero Chardonnay 2006 (Russian River Valley) |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
John Fells |
Tank matured. Nevertheless, the overwealming impression is of new oak, with a rather bitter finish |
4 |
| Miguel Torres Miramar Estate Cristina Pinot Noir 2004 (Russian River Valley) |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
John Fells £23 |
Ten months in oak, some new. Californian Pinot colour. Rich cherry nose. Very well balanced on palate, intense and starting to develop. |
6- |
| Tusk'n Red 2004 (Mendacino) 13.5% |
CLWS 23.7.08 |
Waitrose £10 |
Thought to be mostly Sangiovese. Good red with a pale fringe. Soft red fruit nose. Light palate, red fruit and acidity: modest length and little development - hot at end |
4+ |
| Vaquero Unwooded Chardonnay 2005 (Monterey) |
Jas 19.10.07 |
Jascots £5.25 |
Young. Backward nose. Not much fruit character: reasonable length |
4+ |
| Verite La Joie 1999 (Sonoma) 13.7% |
HASS 15.05.08 |
Auction £60 |
59% CS, 41% Merlot, Deep colour, some browning. Cedary balckcurrant nose with some farmyard development. Fruit is integrated with tannins, but there is acidityshowing, especially on the finish, which is long and spicy, but rather hot and angular. |
6- |
| Wente Reliz Creek Reserve Pinot Noir 2003 (Monterey) 13.5% |
CLWS 22.11.06 |
Stevens Garnier £12 |
Quite deep colour. Nose has fruit and spice. Quite rich palate, with obvious stucutre: long,starting to develop. Can be kept |
5+ |
| White Truck 2004 13.5% |
CLWS 13.6.07 |
Majestic £4 |
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay. Nose has grass and floral hints. Off –dry, rather flabby, little finish |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Canada |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Mission Hill Chardonnay 2003 (Okanagan Valley) 13.5% |
HASS 17.5.07 |
Booths (W) £12 |
Moderate yellow. Strongly oaky nose. Well-balanced palate, some length. Fully developed |
5 |
| - ditto - |
MENSA 12.8.07 |
|
Poorer bottle. Quite dark. Woody. Palate drying and getting out of balance. Too old. |
4- |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mexico |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| L A Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 1996 (Baja California) 13.5% |
HASS 17.5.07 |
Bin Ends £8 |
Mature colour and nbose. Good secondary fruit and tannons: reasonable length, fully mature |
5 |
| L A Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2004 (Baja California) 13.5% |
HASS 14.08.08 |
Bin Ends £9 |
Deep red, pale edge. Spicy nose. Good fruit, some tannin and oak, but lots of acidity, through to the finish |
5 |
| L A Cetto Chardonnay 2004 (Baja California) |
GCS 7.9.07 |
Bin Ends £4.60 |
Pale colour. Grass and a little honey. Restrained, European palate with fair length. |
4+ |
| L A Cetto Chenin Blanc 2006 (Baja California) 13% |
CLWS 27.08.08 |
Bin Ends £5 |
Pale yellow. Neutral nose. Dry, neutral palate, citric acidity, fair length |
4 |
| L A Cetto Nebbiolo Private Reserve 2002 (Baja California) 14% |
ONS 7.6.07 |
Bin Ends £8.95 |
Deep colour. Floral nose, with some tar. Slightly over-ripe fruit: good length, with interesting dark fruit development |
5+ |
| L A Cetto Petite Sirah Private Reserve 2004 (Baja California) 14% |
CLWS 13.08.08 |
Bin Ends £6.50 |
Very deep. Cooked, raisin and licorace nose. Cooked fruit, tannin and acidity - not yet in balance. Smoky, Porty finish |
5- |
| L A Cetto Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Baja California) 13% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Bins Ends £4.60 |
Very pale. Dull nose. Not much fruit, acidity prominent. |
4- |
| L A Cetto Zinfandel 2003 (Baja California) 14% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Bins Ends £4.60 |
Pinkish red. Mature red fruit and tobacco nose. A little thin on palate, but has some length |
4+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pacific North West |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Amity Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2007 (Oregan) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Whirly Wines about £12 HB |
Quite yellow. Rose petal nose. Moderately sweet, some honey and good balance |
5+ |
| Amity Willamette Valley Dry Gewurztraminer 2007 (Oregan) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Whirly Wines about £12 |
Intense rosepetal aromas. Dry, astringent palate, with fruit in abundence underneath. Needs time to develop |
5+ |
| A to Z Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon) 13% |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
Bibendum |
Merchant wine. Thin colour, nose and palate, rather dilute. |
4- |
| A to Z Rex Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon) 13% |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
|
Moderate colour. Raspberry nose. Some fruit, but rather thin and astringent on finish |
4 |
| Bergstrom Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
Noel Young |
Merchant wine, 50% new oak. Moderate red. Some fruit on nose. Palate is rather lean and structured |
4+ |
| Bergstrom De Lancellotti Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette valley, Oregon) |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
|
On sandstone. Good colour. Raspberry fruit. Good depth, well structured. |
5+ |
| Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette valley, Oregon) |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
|
On volcanic soil. Solid colour. Ripe, mineral nose. Ripe fruit and good acidity on palate. Long finish with strong mineral character. Needs time. |
6- |
| Chehalem INOX 2007 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 13.4% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Some yellowing. Oily fruit on nose. Fresh acidity and complexity on palate. Much more attractive that young oaked Chardonnays |
5 |
| Chehalem Reserve Pinot Noir 2005 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 13.4% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Austere but complex |
5 |
| Col Solare 2004 (Columbia, Wahington) 14.4% |
CLWS 8.10.08 |
Berkmann £37.30 |
Sangiovese, CS, CF. Joint venture between Antinori and Ch Ste Michelle. Solid colour with brown rim. Intense fruit and a big oaky structure: huge length with coffee and pepper showing. Needs time. |
6 |
| Col Solare 2005 (Columbia, Wahington) 14.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Berkmann |
Dark, black fruit and oak. Round and spicy on palate, with lots of length and development to come |
6 |
| Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Washington) 13.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies about £12 |
Good colour. Some matruity aromas. Rounded, balanced palate: development just starting |
5+ |
| Columbia Crest Grand Estates Shiraz 2006 (Washington) 13.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies about £12 |
Deep and intense, in the hot Australian style: well balanced but rather undeveloped |
5+ |
| Columbia Crest Grand Reserve Syrah 2005 (Washington) 14.2% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies about £18 |
Some browning. Backward nose. Still rather structured, but depth of fruit shows on finish |
5 |
| Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (Washington) 13.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies about £8 |
Lightish colour and nose. Quite soft, with adequate structure: modest depth and length |
5- |
| Columbia Crest Walter Clore Reserve 2005 (Washington) 14.2% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies over £20 |
Bordeaux blend. Good colour and nose. Tight palate, with lots of fruit under.: long but undeveloped finish. Needs time |
5+ |
| Columbia Winery Gewurztraminer 2007 (Washington) 12% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Good varietal charater, off dry with a full, rounded finish |
5+ |
| DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate 2007 (Washington) 13.8% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
86% Semillon, 14% Sauvignon. Some yellow. Oily nose. Some weight and character |
5+ |
| Desert Wind Barbera 2007 (Washington) |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Unserious fruity wine with good balance |
5- |
| Doyenne Syrah 2006 (Washington) 14.9% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Very deep colour. Maturing nose. Concentrated, well balanced fruit: long finish with some elegant complexity |
6+ |
| Dom Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay 2007 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 13% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Fields, Morris & Verdin about £18 |
Pale, but well balanced for a young oaked wine |
5- |
| Dom Drouhin Pinot Noir 2000 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 13% |
CLWS 29.8.07 |
Albion Wines £27 |
Browning. Raspberry and farmyard nose. Well balanced palate with good length and development. |
6 |
| Dom Drouhin Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Fields, Morris & Verdin about £18 |
Reasonable colour. Fruit and a hint of oak on nose. Well balanced palate with some development |
5+ |
| - ditto - |
IWD 18.7.09 |
Wine Direct £19 |
Moderate red. Red fruit and spice on nose. Excellent fruit on palate, elegant structure and finish |
6+ |
| Dom Drouhin Pinot Noir Cuvee Laurene 2005 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Fields, Morris & Verdin over £20 |
Good depth, weight and character, with some development |
6- |
| Dusted Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Washington) 14.7% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Reasonable colour. Dark fruits on nose. Gpood fruit under oak tannins: quite elegant but undveloped on finish. |
5 |
| L'Ecole No 41 Columbia Valley Merlot 2004 (Washington) 14.3% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wine Treasury about £18 |
Good colour. Plum fruit. Elegant and integrated on palate, but finish is rather hard |
5- |
| L'Ecole No 41 Columbia Valley Syrah 2004 (Washington) 14.3% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wine Treasury about £18 |
Dark colour, still seems young. Good syrah nose and palate, with firm structure: long, undeveloped finish |
5 |
| L'Ecole No 41 Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot 2005 (Washington) 14.4% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wine Treasury over £20 |
Young, some oak browning. Backward nose. Tightly structured palate with fruit under. Needs lots of time |
5- |
| Firesteed Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon) 13.4% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Liberty Wines about £12 |
Light colour. Some red fruit on nose. Palate is lightweight and thins to finish |
4- |
| Firesteed Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2005 (Oregon) 13.2% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Liberty Wines about £18 |
Modest depth of colour. Some red fruit. Reasonable depth of fruit on palate, but still astringent and undeveloped |
5 |
| Firesteed Riesling 2007 (Oregon) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Liberty Wines about £12 |
Some colour. Beginning to develop Riesling oil on nose and palate. Off dry, with good structure and length |
5+ |
| Four Graces Pinot Blanc 2007 (Dundee Hills, Oregon) 13.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wallingford Vintners about £18 |
Pale colour. Little varietal character on nose. Full and dry, as in Alsace. |
4+ |
| Four Graces Reserve Pinot Noir 2006 (Dundee Hills, Oregon) 13.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wallingford Vintners over £20 |
Young colour. Some fruit on nose. Good weight on fruit but structure still prominent: long finish but little development |
5+ |
| Fries Family Duck Pond Pinot Noir 2005 (Oregon) 12.5% |
MENSA 12.8.07 |
Booths (W) £13 |
Moderate pale red. Rather light raspberry nose with lots of vanilla. Thin fruit, quite solid structure. Not much length or development. |
4 |
| Hedges 3 Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 1998 (Columbia Valley, Washington) 13.5% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Waitrose £16 |
Reasonable fruit and structure, but a bit thin on end |
5+ |
| Holloran Le Pavillon Vineyard Riesling 2006 (Oregon) 13% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Good colour, developing character and weight. Smooth, complex palate |
6 |
| King Estate Pinot Gris Ice Wine 2007 (Oregon) |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Sweet, with intense acidity but not much varietal character |
5+ |
| Kiona Ice Wine 2007 (Washington) 10% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Chenin Blanc 53%, Riesling 47%. Cooked Riesling nose, with intense sweetness and acidity |
6- |
| Kiona Late Harvest Riesling 2007 (Washington) 10% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Young, sweet and rather thin |
4 |
| Knippath Cabernet Sauvignon Au Chocolat NV (Washington) 20% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Bought locally £11.50 HB |
Deep colour. Chocolate and blackcurrant on nose. Odd palate with some sweetness and acidity. Has chocolate added - not to my taste |
5- |
| Lachini Vineyards Giselle Pinot Noir 2005 (Oregon) 14.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wallingford Vintners |
Good colour. Some maturity aromas. Very good weight and concnentration, with long finish. Still needs time |
6 |
| Lemelson Stermer Vineyard Pinot Noir 2002 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 14.2% |
CLWS 22.11.06 |
Wine Society £13 |
Rich new world style. Ripe, spicy nose. Good weight, balanced palate with some development |
5 |
| Lemelson Thea's Selection Pinot oir 2005 (Willamette Valley, Oregan) 13.5% |
CLWS 8.54.09 |
Wine Society £19 |
Medium colour. Burgundian nose with cherries and some forest floor. Intense attack with fruit and acidity: fairly long but a little hot on end |
5+ |
| Masquerade Effervescing Elephant Sparkling Wine 2007 (Washington) 12.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Pale colour, restrained nose and fruit, but good balance and length |
5 |
| Pacific Rim Riesling Vin de Glaciere (Washington) 10.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Late picked., with some botrytis - rich, butterscotch but little Riesling character |
5 |
| River Aerie Syrah 2006 (Columbia Valley, Washington) 14.3% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Seems to pick up the terroir well: Fruitier thnan a Rhone, but cooler climate than Western Australia - very good weight and balance, with considerable development already |
7- |
| Saint Laurent Merlot 2005 (Washington) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Quite simple and fruity |
4+ |
| Ch Sainte Michelle Chardonnay 2004 (Patterson, Washington) 13.7% |
HASS 17.5.07 |
Everywine (W) £8.20 |
Moderate colour. Some honey and oak on nose. Oaky balance to palate: fair length, starting to develop. |
5 |
| Ch Ste Michelle Ethos Syrah 2005 (Washington) 14.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Berkmann about £15 |
Fair colour. Some violets and leather. Well balanced with a moderate fruit concentration - almost ready |
5 |
| Ch Sainte Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Columbia Valley, Washington) 13.7% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Berkmann £9 |
Pale yellow. Oak, gooseberries and pepper on nose. Fine oak tannins, some fruit and acidity: resonable finish |
5 |
| Ch Sainte Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Washington) 13.3% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Berkmann £9 |
Pale. Oaky nose with vegetal character. Reasonable balance in the Fumee Blanc style |
4+ |
| Ch Ste Michelle Dry Riesling 2007 (Washington) 13% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Berkmann £7 |
Pale, not much Riesling character yet. Off-dry with balancing acidity but no complexity |
4+ |
| Dom Ste Michelle NV Blanc de Noir (Washington) 12% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Berkmann about £12 |
100% Pinot Noir. Pink tinge, moderate mousse. Strwberries on nose. Palate is still a little young and raw, but long and complex |
5- |
| Dom Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir (Oregon) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Some browning. Lean maturing aromas. Elegant and balanced, but rather light on finish |
5 |
| Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Walla Walla, Washington) 13.7% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stone, Sun & Vine |
Good colour and nose. Elegant palate with good balance already: some weight and length on finish |
6- |
| Snoqualmie Naked Gewurztraminer 2007 (Columbia Valley, Washington) 12% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies about £12 |
Starts with rosepetals on nose. Off-dry palate with a rather thin finish |
4 |
| Snoqualmie Syrah 2006 (Washington) 13.9% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies about £12 |
Good colour, light, flowery nose. Quite strucured still, but showing some weight and development |
5- |
| Snoqualmie Whistlestop Red 2006 (Washington) 13.5% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Stratfords Wine Agencies about £12 |
Cabernet/Merlot. Good colour. Some blackcurrant aromas. Reasonable weight of fruit but still overlaid with tannin throughout. |
5- |
| Stoller SV Chardonnay 2006 (Oregon) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
not imported |
Some development but still dominated by oak |
5 |
| Van Duzer Estate Pinot Noir 2005 (Willamette Valley, Oregan) 13.5% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Costco, Houston £17 |
Deep colour. Dark fruit on nose. Balance of warm cherry fruit, oak tannins and acidity: spicy but rather short finish |
5- |
| WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
Wine Treasury |
Rounded, but rather restrained style |
5- |
| WillaKenzie Pierres Leon Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wine Treasury |
Rather backward - good fruit and structure initially, but rather bitter on end |
5 |
| Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon) |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
Noel Young £8 |
Rather light colour and nose, very restrained on palate |
4 |
| Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon) 14% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wine Treasury over £20 |
Good colour and nose. Some richness on palate - finish is long and developing, but still astringent |
6- |
| Woodward Canyon Chardonnay 2007 (Washington) 14.3% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wine Treasury over £20 |
Big and complex, but still overpoweringly oaky |
5- |
| Woodward Canyon Artists Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Washington) 14.6% |
OW 22.1.09 |
Wine Treasury over £20 |
Dark colour. Backward nose. Subtle, balanced palate, excellent quality and length, but needs a lot of time |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Texas |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Fall Creek Meritus 2004 |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
Ex cellars $40 |
CS 90% + Merlot & Malbec. Deep colour. Excellent ripe CS nose withsome maturity. Palate has considerable fruit and tannin, good length and some development. Needs a year or two yet. |
6 |
| Fall Creek Merlot NV |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
Ex cellars $12 |
Moderate colour. Some fruit on nose and palate, but lacks intensity |
4 |
| Luz de Estrella Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003 (Big Bend) 13.4% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Specs, Houston $51 |
Deep red. Unusual strawbeery fruit notes on nose and palate, with blackcurrant under. Juicy fruit with good structure and some finish, but not much of a Cabernet character. |
5 |
| Messina Hof Angel Late Harvest Riesling 2005 (Bryan) 12% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Ex-cellars $13 HB |
Young. German auslese style - character beginning to show. Medium sweet, good weight and acidity. |
5+ |
| Messina Hof Papa Paulo Double Barrel 2004 (Bryan) 18% |
IWD 28.3.09 |
Specs, Houston £15.50 |
Make from local Lenoir grape. Moderate red. Foxy nose, very vegetal. Odd, semi-sweet palate with rancid notes. Very unusual |
5- |
| Messina Hof Paulo Merlot 2002 (Bryan) 13.5% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Specs, Houston $45 |
Good density of colour. Ripe plum fruit. Good balance of fruit and tannin, with some acidity: long finish, with mineral notes. |
5+ |
| Pheasant Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 (High Plains) 13.2% |
IWD 17.2.07 |
Ex-cellars $12 |
Bordeaux style: a little thin, but elegant and quite long. |
5 |
| Val Verde Blend 12 Don Luis Tawny Port (Del Rio) 18% |
IWD 22.3.08 |
Specs, Houston $38 |
Fairly young red, browning at rim. Jammy nose with some nuts. Very sweet, rich and nutty with some acidity: quite good length |
5+ |
|
|
|
|
|
| Virginia |
|
| Wine |
Tasted |
Source |
Notes |
Mark |
| Williamsburg Winery Gabriel Archer 2004 |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
$32 ex cellars |
Merlot, CS & Syrah. Moderate colour. Leafy nose continuing to palate. |
4+ |
| Williamsburg Winery Merlot Reserve 2004 |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
$28 ex cellars |
Again leafy and rather thin |
4 |
| Williamsburg Winery Trianon Cabernet Franc 2005 |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
$32 ex cellars |
Some CF character, with leaves and tobacco. Thin and green in middle |
4 |
| Williamsburg Winery Two Shilling Red 2007 |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
$8 ex cellars |
Rather thin, in the Chianti style |
3+ |
| Williamsburg Winery Virginia Claret 2004 |
LIWF 21.05.08 |
|
Not on website. Thin and green. Young vines? |
3 |
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