Verkostungsnotiz September 2004:

Zwischendurch

2.	1989 Cigliuti, Serraboella, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy: Medium garnet, light rim, fine tears, brilliant, floating sediment. Decent nose, bit earthy, mineral, mushroom. Medium body, nice acidity, well balanced with tannins, mature lush fruit. Long finish, velvety tannins, mature dark fruit in the end. Very nice ripe Barbaresco. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Not decanted. Small standard ISO tasting glass.
3.	2002 Niepoort, Charme, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Light purple, bright, good viscosity. Slightly green red fruit in the nose, bit sweet and alcoholic. Medium body, first impression rather soft, well balanced, some red berries, very fine smoky tannins, acidity quite restrained. Long finish, bit red fruit, sweet soft velvety tannins, in the end rather smoky and mouth impregnating, slightly bitter. Very well made. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Not decanted. Small standard ISO tasting glass. To be served rather cool at 16°C (gets a bit broad with more temperature), quite versatile with food. Low Douro typicity
4.	1992 Cherchi, Luzzana, VdT Rosso, Sardinia, Italy: Very light crimson, fat tears. Bit of iodine and sea in the nose, otherwise rather restrained. Medium body, some resolved red fruit, bit of acidity, some coarse tannins, but in total bit unbalanced towards sweet alcohol. Short finish, velvety tannins and bit of red fruit in the aftertaste. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 88. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Varietals Cagnulari and Cannonau. Drink rather cool. Very small production of less than bottles. In memento of our Sardinia vacation 10 years ago
6.	2002 Moreira, Poeira, Tinto, Douro, Portugal: Light purple, bright, small bubbles in the rim, nice tears. Decent sweet dark and red fruit, honeycomb, very pure. Medium body, sweet fruit and nice acidity, tannins slightly coarse but still velvety. Medium to long finish, aftertaste in harmony with nose and taste, hint of sweet oak in the end. Very nice wine, some potential. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 94. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Fine match with some beef, especially when the sauce is made with part of the wine. Alcohol is only 13% - bit unusual for Douro, but may be specific for 2002 and rather positive.
8.	2000 Prats and Symington, Chryseia, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Dark purple, dense tears, tints the glass. Slightly green nose after red and black currant, vegetables and spices, light barnyard, bit oaky. Plump body, good acidity spine, red and dark berries, vegetables, oaky tannins - taste according to nose. Long finish, bit coarse oaky and slightly bitter tannins, dark fruity acidity, bit sweet in the end. Reminds me of a young Cote Rotie, nice wine but maybe a bit overdone. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 91. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass. This wine results from a cooperation of Symington with Bordeaux winemaker Bruno Prats. Alcohol level with 13,5% rather low for a Douro Tinto 2000. Retasted after one day in the open bottle: Already rather oxidized, looks not very promising. Maybe it is not such a good idea to make Douro Tinto in Bordeaux manner
9.	2003 Casa Santos Lima, Quinta do Figo, Estremadura Tinto, Portugal: Light carmine, medium tears. Soft red berries in the nose, bees wax. Slim body, silky red fruit. Nice aftertaste. Nice table wine for your meal. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 88. Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Not decanted. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvée of indigenous Estremadura varietals
	2002 Quinta do Vallado, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Medium purple, fat tears, tints the glass. Bid coriander in the nose, dark fruit, velvety ascending. Medium body, dark silky fruit, good acidity, good balanced tannins. Medium finish, velvety acidity. Good value. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 16 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 90. Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Not decanted. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvée of indigenous Douro varietals
	2000 Casa Ferreira, Callabriga, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Dense purple, dense tears, tints the glass. Stollwerk caramel bonbons, dark fruit. Medium to plump body, tannins bit oaky bitter, fruit and acidity well balanced. Medium finish, fruity acidity, bit oaky. Some weight here. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 91. Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvée of indigenous Douro varietals
	2000 Quinta do Crasto, Reserva, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Dark purple, dense tears, tints the glass. Dark fruit and earthy roots in the nose, honey comb. Medium to plump body, bit on the acidity side (seems therefore a bit slim in the middle), restrained dark fruit, bit oaky tannins. Stern finish. Some potential here. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 91. Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvée of indigenous Douro varietals
	2001 Kolheita de Ideias, Kolheita, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Black purple, fat tears, tints the glass, massive tartaric depot. Pure Vintage Port fruit, sweet dark fruity, soft velvety. Full body, massive dark fruit, powerful acidity, massive but soft tannins - very well balanced. Very long finish, smoky mouth impregnating, warm feeling creeps up. This wine has it all. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 96. Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvée of indigenous Douro varietals
	2001 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Brilliant purple, dense tears, tints the glass. Very fine dark fruity nose, decent but persistent. Plump body, fine dark fruit, nice acidity, decent soft tannins, fine again, well balanced. Velvety acidity in the aftertaste, fine fruity. Fine wine. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 95. Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvée of indigenous Douro varietals
	2001 Quinta do Vale Meao, Douro Tinto, Portugal: Black purple, dense tears, tints the glass. Very decent and soft Vintage Port fruit in the nose, very fine. Plump body, decent fruit and acidity, bit overpowered by the massive but soft tannins, brings a warm feeling after some sips. Very long finish, bit coriander in the aftertaste, persistent tannins. Strong offering bordering on great. Score: 50 + 5 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 8 for taste + 9 for overall = total score of 96. Coburg 20040909. Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Small Bordeaux type glasses. Cuvée of indigenous Douro varietals
10.	1990 Comte Armand, Clos des Epeneaux, Pommard 1er Cru, Burgundy, France: Dark ruby, very dense tears, some not too fine sediment. Slight barnyard, dense dark fruit, cool dark earth, moss. Medium body, dense fruity acidity, bit coarse tannins, silky cool taste but gives warm feeling after some seconds. Nice tannic finish. Still a bit harsh but the drinking window seems to be open now. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Decanted one hour before tasting. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Very good with dark chocolate with orange flavour.
11.	1990 Aldo Conterno, Bussia Soprana, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy: Brilliant garnet, nice tears, bit of sediment. Nose mineral earthy with decent dark fruit. Medium to plump body, slightly tannic and austere, some acidity, primary fruit long gone. Long finish, steely tannins. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 93. Not blind. Decanted shortly before tasting. Small ISO standard tasting glass.
13.	1997 Tasca D'Almerita, Rosso del Conte, Sicily, Italy: Bright ruby, light rim, high viscosity. Dark sweet fruit in the nose, bit of rum punch. Plump body, sweet dark fruit, plums, good acidity, velvety tannins, bit hot. Long finish, persistent tannins, slight alcoholic burn. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 6 for overall = total score of 90. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass. Cuvée of indigenous Sicily varietals Nero d'Avola and Perricone. Ideal wine for cooking a dessert based on reduced wine with plums. Delicious
14.	1988 La Mission Haut Brion, Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux, France: Dense ruby, heavy tears. Opulent dark fruit in the nose. Plump body, dark fruit, bit cool, slightly bitter tannins. Medium finish, velvety tannins. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 91. Double Magnum. Not blind. Decanted some hours before tasting. Syrah type glasses
	1990 Clerc Milon, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France: Bright ruby, small bubbles in the rim. Nose of sweet red and dark fruit. Medium body, sweet red and dark fruit, menthol, cool . Medium finish. Nice but harmless. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 90. Double Magnum. Not blind. Decanted some hours before tasting. Syrah type glasses
	1988 Leoville Las Cases, St. Julien, Bordeaux, France: Deep garnet, bright, fat tears. Dark fruit and some spices in the nose. Plump body, dark fruit, some acidity, prominent tannins - some grip here. Long finish, impregnating tannins. Wine with structure, will develop for some more years. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 93. Double Magnum. Not blind. Decanted some hours before tasting. Syrah type glasses
20.	1997 Armilla, Brunello, Tuscany, Italy: Dark bright garnet, good viscosity. Red and dark velvety fruit in the nose, rather nice. Medium to slim body, fine red fruit, some acidity, slightly caramelized, persistent tannins. Long finish, persistent tannins, sweet red fruit. Some Brunello typicity here. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 91. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass.
23.	2001 W.H. Smith, Pinot Noir, Hellenthal, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma, California, USA: Very light garnet, light rim, brilliant, fat tears. Very Pinot Noir type nose. Plump body, crisp red fruit, fine acidity, fine smoky tannins, bit sweet alcohol, well balanced. Medium to long finish with nice persistent smoky tannins. Score: 50 + 2 for optic + 13 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 90. After my one single US Pinot Noir experience with Beaux Freres 1999 I did not expect this much but was nicely surprised - clearly a fine wine in the league of a Gantenbein
24.	1991 Fonsalette, Syrah, Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France: Dark ruby, brilliant, floating sediment, dense tears. Cool dark fruit, bit animal barnyard, liquorice, alcohol, spices, cedar box, cold cigar. Plump body, intense dark fruit, good acidity, bit coarse tannins, bit hot. Medium finish, some tannins and acidity try to hide the alcoholic fruit. Don't drink too much of this. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO tasting glass.
25.	1991 Fonsalette, Syrah, Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France: Dark ruby, brilliant, floating sediment, dense tears. Nose slightly oxydized like portwine, bit of soy sauce, dark fruit, liquorice, spices, cedar. Plump body, intense dark fruit, good acidity, bit coarse tannins. Medium to long finish, persistent tannins and solid acidity. Perfect match with roasted wild boar - big deal, marinated and sauce made with the very same wine. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = 94. Not blind. Decanted for 6 hours. Small ISO tasting glass.
	1990 Brumont, Montus Prestige, Madiran, France: Bright purple, dense tears, tints slightly the glass. Nose after wet black earth, dark fruit, moss. Plump body, dense dark fruit, soft yet powerful, massive tannins, some acidity, well balanced. Medium finish, warm tannins, soft acidity. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 93. Not blind. Decanted immediately before tasting. Small ISO tasting glass.
29.	1989 Aldo Conterno, Bussia Soprana, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy: Medium garnet, light rim, brilliant, dense tears, floating sediment. Very nice earthy nose, mature, bit of honeycomb, mineral touch. Medium body, clear defined but mature fruit, good acidity, very well balanced, fine tannin grip. Very long, soft velvet, bit acidity. Excellent. Score: 50 + 3 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 18 for taste + 8 for overall = total score of 93. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass.
30.	1988 Felsina, Fontalloro, IGT, Tuscany, Italy: Brilliant garnet, light rim, dense tears. Dark fruit, bit of barnyard, lovage. Medium body, nice acidity, dark fruit, well balanced. Long finish, nice acidity, soft velvety aftertaste. Very nice. Score: 50 + 4 for optic + 14 for bouquet + 17 for taste + 7 for overall = total score of 92. Not blind. Not decanted. Small ISO standard tasting glass.

2004-09-30/Schriftführer e.h.