Verkostungsnotiz August 2004:

Zwischendurch

1.	1997 Terriccio, Tassinaia (Cab-Merlot-Sangiovese), IGT, Tuscany, Italy (not blind): Light ruby, brilliant, fat tears. Slightly rotten mixed berries in the nose, bit sweet. Medium body, slightly rotten mixed berries in taste, well balanced but not much here, in the middle a bit hollow. Medium to short finish with a slightly alcoholic burn after some seconds. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 12 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 88
2.	2001 Beaucastel, Chateauneuf du Pape rouge, Rhone, France (not blind): Medium to light ruby, brilliant, light rim, very high viscosity. Simple but intense nose after red currant syrup, not your usual Beaucastel or even CdP nose, only slightly alcoholic. Medium to plump body, primary red and black currant fruit, soft persistent tannins, bit of silky acidity, hint of Kirsch. Long finish, soft persistent tannins, very nice aftertaste. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 12-13 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 91-92. I would easily take this wine for a very good made non Burgundy Pinot Noir (Gantenbein comes to my mind or may be even from Austria) and I am rather sure that the bouquet will develop fine with some cellaring, same goes for the taste when the primary fruit will go away. What I like especially is the for a CdP (but for Beaucastel usual) rather low alcohol content of 13,5%
4.	1989 Fonsalette, Syrah, Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France (not blind): Deep purple, opaque but bright, very fat tears, tints the glass - looks like a young wine. Nose after fresh crushed blackberry, honey comb, sweet black earth, compost - too complex to be young. Full body, rather muscular, no fat, nice dense dark fruit, good acidity, tannins hidden behind the fruit, bit sauvage. Very long and satisfying finish. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 95. Small ISO standard tasting glasss. Had this wine with my dinner (pasta with a vegetal sugo and some nuts for dessert) - not a perfect but a nice match because too dense. After some glasses of this wine you are featherbrained grinning not only because of the alcohol and show blue tainted teeth and gums. Utterly satisfying
6.	1997 Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico, Riserva, Tuscany, Italy (not blind): Helles Rubin, brillant, mittlere Schlieren. Koriander in der Nase. Mittlerer Körper, etwas holzig, gute Säure, etwas grobe Tannine. Mittlerer Abgang, etwas grobe Tannine. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 11 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 87
9.	2000 Quinta do Vallado, Reserva, Douro Tinto, Portugal (not blind): Dense but clear purple, powerful enough to dye your kings robe. Nose quite medical (like a very old Armagnac after decades in cask), coriander, oak, powerful dark fruit behind. Full body, slightly medical note, intense dark fruit but not very fresh, maybe slightly closed. Long finish, first impression was a slight TCA aftertaste but this flew away, again quite medical with a lot of fruit behind. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 12 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 90. Small ISO standard tasting glass. No decanting. 14,5 % alcohol. Cuvée of Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barocca, Sousao
10.	1988 Lynch Bages, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France (not blind, from memory): Black purple, dense tears. Very dense dark nose, lead, lead pencil. Plump body, dense dark fruit, very well integrated acidity and tannins. Long finish, persistent tannins, very fine. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 94. Very interesting wine, needs another 5-10 or more years to mature. Magnum. Decanted 7 hours before drinking. Riedel Syrah glasses
	1988 Chevalier, Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux, France (not blind, from memory): Dark ruby. Rather not impressive nose. Medium body, bit of fruit, some acidity. Short finish with a bit of fruity acidity. Not very interesting. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 11 for bouquet + 15 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 85. Magnum. Decanted for about 4 hours (way too long). Riedel Syrah glasses
	1982 St. Pierre, St Julien, Bordeaux , France (not blind, from memory): Brownish medium ruby, light rim. Very mature nose, decadent, somethin to smell. Medium body, some resolved dark fruit, nice acidity. Medium finish. Not great but nice to drink. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for boquuet + 16 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 88. Magnum, decanted shortly before drinking, Riedel Syrah glasses
12.	1996 Joblot, Clos du Cellier aux Moines, Givry 1er Cru, Burgundy, France (not blind): Light and brilliant garnet, light rim, nice tears. Classic Pinot Noir nose, some sweet red fruit, bit earthy, spices, mushrooms. Medium body, ripe red fruit, sound acidity, solid tannins. Fine aftertaste, long, soft acidity, some red fruits, fine tannins. Score: 50 + 3 for otpic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 90. Nice summer wine. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Not decanted, rather cool (about 16°C/61°F).
13.	1990 Rosi Schuster, Blaufränkisch Classic, Burgenland, Austria (not blind): Medium ruby, nice tears, small bubbles in the rim. Cool moss, cooking spices, roasted coffe beans, red pepper. Rather slim body, prominent fruity acidity, seems a bit thin therefore, fine tannin structure. Finish fruity acidity, long, some velvety tannins in the end. Very good wine to your meal. Nice ripe Blaufränkisch. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 89. Dinner in a nice restaurant. Decanted shortly before drinking, Riedel Syrah glasses.
	1999 Triebaumer, Mariental, Blaufränkisch, Burgenland, Austria (not blind): Black ruby, violet rim, fat tears, tints the glass. Lead pencil, restrained dark fruit, cacao, coffee, dense. Medium body, not too fine but persistent tannins, dark fruit, acidity with elderberry touch, dense. Long finish, dark fruity velvety. Bit tight but very interesting. Reminds me somehow of the Lynch Bages 1988 I had some days ago from Magnum. This is definitely an outstanding wine with great potential for cellaring. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 93. Dinner in a nice restaurant. Decanted shortly before drinking, Riedel Syrah glasses.
14.	1989 Leoville Las Cases, St. Julien, Bordeaux, France (not blind): Brilliant ruby, fat tears. Slightly rotten dark fruit, bit alcoholic. Medium body, liquorice, powerful tannins, bit thin in the end. Medium finish. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 91. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Magnum – needs therefore may be some more ageing
	1990 Figeac, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France (not blind): Bit of TCA taint in the nose. Chemical taste. Corked. No score
16.	1989 Pradeaux, Bandol, France: Medium purple, lots of sediment. Earthy nose, some dark fruit, bit rooty. Plump body, dark fruit and some roots, well balanced. Aftertaste long, good tannins with dense dark fruit. Best bottle I had of this wine so far. Sccore: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Bottle open for 24 hours. This was a nice allowance for the last corked bottle.
	2001 Laffitte-Teston, Vieilles Vignes, Madiran, France: Dark purple, dense tears, tints the glass. Ascending dark fruit, heavily oaked. Plump body, black fruit, sound acidity, bit coarse tannins, well balanced. Medium finish, nice dark fruity acidity, some tannins. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Very good to a spicy dish
17.	1992 Les Cailloux, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France: Very light ruby, nice tears, floating sediment. Very CdP typical nose, slight barnyard with some rotting vegetables, lots of sweet red and dark berries. Medium body, well balanced, nice red fruit, fine acidity, slightly bitter, tannins may be a bit dry - echo of sweet sour fruit drops. Finish long, persistent tannins. As stated before: Nice wine from a not so great vintage. Score: 50 + 3 for otpic + 14 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 91. Not blind. "Household" wine glasses. Nice to drink even without food
18.	1996 Chevillon, Les Vaucrains 1^er Cru, Nuits Saint Georges, Burgundy, France: Bright ruby, light rim, dense tears. Very clean and very NSG typical nose, nice red fruit, small PN stink. Medium body, solid red fruity acidity, fine velvety and slightly bitter tannins, well balanced. Long finish, persistent tannins, fruity acidity in the end. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 91. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glasses. Rather low temperature. Easy to pair with food
20.	1990 Pegau, Reservee, Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France: Very light ruby, light rim, bright, hint of brick, dense tears. Mature nose after lovage and other kitchen spices, bit sweet, not very expressive. Medium body, some mature red fruit, low acidity, fine and persistent tannins. Medium finish, persistent velvety tannins, bit sweet fruit, alcoholic touch in the end. This wine is on the brink of getting decadent, very nice. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Good match for nuts and chocolate
21.	1991 Jamet, Cote-Rotie, Rhone, France: Brilliant medium ruby, medium tears. Slight barnyard, pure dark fruit, cool moss, earth, mineral. Medium body, clean dark fruit, fine acidity, persistent tannins, well balanced. Long aftertaste, fine fruit, smoky mouth impregnating tannins in the end. A very fine wine. Will profit from some more cellaring. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 94. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass.
23.	1997 Confuron, Les Chaboeufs 1^er Cru, Nuits Saint Georges, Burgundy, France : Very light garnet, fat tears, very little fine sediment. Classical Nuit Saint Georges Pinot Noir nose, red fruit, sweet dark oak. Medium body, fruity acidity with a slightly bitter edge, soft and bit smoky tannins. Medium finish, fruity acidity, velvety and bit persistent tannins. Nice wine with a snack on a hot summer day, drink cool. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 88. Not blind. Small ISO standard tasting glass. No decanting
25.	2000 Quinta do Crasto, Vinha da Ponte, Douro, Portugal: Deep purple, bright, dense tears, tints the glass. Velvety nose after dark berries, ascending. Plump to full body, intense dark berries, bit young, great acidity, well balanced tannins. Long finish starting with some fruity acidity then getting soft. Opulent wine but not fat, unsure about ageing potential - will acidity win? Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 93. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Decanted immediately before drinking. Royal Crystal of Atlantis glass Burgundy shape. Last sips too warm due to the hot summer night, therefore a bit alcoholic.
26.	2000 Duas Quintas, Reserve, Douro, Portugal: Medium brilliant purple, very dense tears, tints the glass. More than a bit c.osed nose, spicy note, hint of lovage. Medium body, rather elegant, very well balanced, low acidity, bit velvety tannins, nearly no noticeable fruit. Medium finish with bit of velvety tannins. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 12 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 90. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Not decanted. Royal Crystal of Atlantis glass Burgundy shape. Was served a bit to cold. When the wine opened after some time in the glass it was not to its advantage - it kind of disintegrated, lost its balance in favor of a bit vulgar dark fruit and too prominent tannins
27.	2000 Niepoort, Batuta, Douro, Portugal: Dark bright purple, very dense tears, tints the glass. Complex restrained nose, spicy note, hint of white pepper. Medium to plump body, rather elegant, very well balanced, silky acidity, fine only slightly velvety tannins, very decent fruit. Nice finish with persistent slightly velvety tannins. Wine with finesse and great potential. Reminds me of Lafite 2000 with a bit more acidity. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 95. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Decanted immediately before drinking. Royal Crystal of Atlantis glass Burgundy shape.
28.	2000 Fojo, Douro, Portugal: Medium bright purple, very dense tears, tints slightly the glass. Bit closed nose, spicy note, hint of coriander and anise, slightly vegetal. Medium to plump body, well balanced, medium acidity, powerful but velvety tannins, rather low in fruit. Long finish, very persistent velvety tannins, bit sweet oak, aftertaste of strawberries. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 93. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Decanted shortly before drinking. Royal Crystal of Atlantis glass Burgundy shape
29.	2000 Niepoort, Redoma, Reserve, Douro Branco, Portugal: Very light yellow gold, dense tears. Lemon and bit vanilla in the nose, smell of clean pebbles. Medium body, well balanced, fime fruity acidity, persistent silky tannins. Medium finish, persistent silky tannins, aftertaste of pineapple. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 90. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Not decanted. Standard restaurant stemware for white wines
	2001 Zambujeiro (Aragonés, Castelão, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet), Alentejo, Portugal: Black purple, bright, very dense tears, tints the glass. Bit vegetal nose, dark berries, ascending alcohol. Full body, sweet and dense dark fruit, bit fat but well balanced with a good deal of acidity, powerful oaky tannins. Long finish, extremely persistent not too velvety tannins, bit sweet oak, kind of hot, chocolate and cacao in the aftertaste. For me already a bit too much. Negly comes to my mind. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 12 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 93. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Decanted shortly before drinking. Royal Crystal of Atlantis glass Burgundy shape. After one day in the open bottle nose and taste virtually unchanged
31.	2000 Niepoort, Batuta, Douro, Portugal: Dark bright purple, very dense tears, tints the glass. Complex nose, spicy note, hint of pepper. Medium body, rather elegant, very well balanced, clear acidity, velvety tannins, decent fruit, hint of pineapple. Long finish with persistent tannins. Very fine. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 94. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Decanted 4 hours before drinking. Royal Crystal of Atlantis glass Burgundy shape.
	1999 Vinha do Fojo, Douro, Portugal: Dark bright ruby, very dense tears. Earthy mineralic nose, bit austere. Medium body, prominent acidity, powerful silky tannins, bit austere. Long finish, very persistent tannins. Barolo 1996 comes to my mind. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 92. Vila Joya 2004. Not blind. Decanted shortly before drinking. Royal Crystal of Atlantis glass Burgundy shape. This seems to be the basic or second wine of Fojo with a bit less extraction and may be from younger vines - another style but very nice

2004-09-02/Schriftführer e.h.