Tasting Notes - Saturday, 9th January

As promised to those who were present, here are the Tasting Notes from Saturday night's tasting at Kelly Fox's party; if you didn't manage to pick one of the copies up, or had forgotten your name the morning after, here they are!

Kurt
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Fantastic Ms. Fox – 1981 Vintage
Saturday, January 9th 2010

The Whites:


Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2007 – Marlborough, New Zealand

From New Zealand’s most prominent wine producing region, Marlborough, situated in the northeast of the South Island, comes the Nautilus’ ever-consistent, internationally esteemed, Sauvignon Blanc.

Bursting with all the gooseberry and cut-grass aromas you would expect from a Sauvignon from the region, the wine also oozes tropical notes of passion fruit, melon and the indistinguishable hint of lime, which is carried onto the palate. With a crisp acidity and zingy finish, this is great as both an aperitif wine, or when paired with most seafood dishes.
$13.99


Graham Beck Gamekeeper’s Reserve Chenin Blanc 2008 – Coastal Region, South Africa

From one of South Africa’s most recognized wine maker’s come a fantastic specimen one the region’s most recognized and widely planted grapes.

All of Chenin Blanc’s typical tropical fruit characteristics leap out of the glass on the nose; from ripe pineapple and passion fruit, to stone fruits such as peach and apricot. Full, fruity and a little honeyed, the wine possesses great acidity and a crisp finish. The typical pairing in South Africa for Chenin Blanc is poultry or seafood.
$13.99


Alamos Chardonnay 2008 – Mendoza, Argentina

High up, in the foothills of the Andes from Argentina’s revered Bodega Catena, comes Alamos, the family’s entry level wine label, grown in vineyards at the highest altitude of all the winery’s sites. Magnificent value for money, this big, bold Chardonnay exudes aromas of intense ripe fruits like apple and pear, with just a hint of toffee butter and vanilla from a short, nine-month stint in French oak.
$8.99


The Reds:

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages 2008 – Beaujolais, France

Synonymous with the region of Beaujolais is Georges Duboeuf, the family (like many in the region!) who claim to be responsible for its most important, internationally-recognized event: Beajolais Nouveau.

Like the event itself, Georges Duboeuf’s Beaujolais-Villages is a light hearted, fun and festive little wine; never claiming to be overtly sophisticated, it is fruity, candid and most of all, consistent from year to year. Like its easily distinguishable bright, cherry red with purplish hue, this bursts forth with red fruit and violet, with a hint of blackcurrant to follow. A real gluggable wine, the wine’s tannins are all but non-existent, and as an aperitif, or as an accompaniment to canapés or cheeseboard this is a great way to kick start any party.
$10.99



Marques de Caceres Crianza 2005, Rioja – Northeast Spain

From Spain’s famed wine-producing region of Rioja [ree-ok-ka] in the country’s northeast, comes Marques de Caceres’ Crianza. Classed in four different tiers, Crianza being the first and ‘youngest’ of these, the wine is allowed – before being released – to age for at least two years, one of these being in oak – in this case, both French and American, leading to a characteristically smooth finish and vanilla notes being picked detectible on the palate. Driven primarily by blackcurrant and black cherry on the nose, it is followed on the palate by red berry fruit such as strawberry and raspberry, with secondary notes of vanilla imparted by the oak.

Blend: 85% Tempranillo (rich and velvety when aged, providing acidity and structure), 15% Garnacha Tinta (adds body and warmth) and Graciano (additional aroma).
$14.99


Razor’s Edge Shiraz 2006, McLaren Vale, South Australia

The 2005 vintage received 90 points from Wine Spectator magazine, and at $10, this is fantastic value for money! Along with all of the Shiraz pepper and spice, comes a fruit-forward wine driven by blackcurrant, cherry, followed up with chocolate and licorice.

Forebodingly dark purple and big on body (‘mouth feel’); at 14% alcohol, it’s a real whopper – a true Auzzie fruit bomb. Above and beyond, it’s a great, everyday wine. Perfect for the ‘Barbie’ – try with grilled meats and rich pasta dishes.
$9.99

Kurt Dettman kurtdettman@hotmail.com