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Liverpool Tasting 2004

From Jadot to Jerepigo, from Mendoza to Margaux. This is a collection of tasting notes from a local meeting. (23/6/04)

Tasting Notes

Tasted in June 2004. Click to locate stockists:

Eduard Hauth-Kerpen Wehlener-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 1998: A label that vaguely resembles those of JJ Prum, but nevertheless a producer I have never heard of. It has a typical green-tinged hue. Ripe, slightly plump nose, with a touch of green herbs. Full, clean and bright on the palate, with decent flavour. Acidity a little lower than you might expect. A nice plump finish on the palate and some length. A good effort. 15/20

Fairview Sauvignon Blanc 'Terroir Trail' (Groenekloof, South Africa) 2002: A rich colour for Sauvignon - reflecting the New World origin. An expressive nose, with slightly confected fruit-drop aromas and a stalky character too. Full, ripe, but with confected fruit on the palate. There is a little stony, mineral character behind it. Dominating the palate though is a bitter, extracted, grippy, spicy character. This is not my style at all. 14/20

Finca Ca N'Estella 'Clot dels Oms' (Penedes, Spain) 2003: This rosé has a nice colour, and clean and vibrant red fruit on the nose. A similar impression on the palate, which is dry and slightly pétillant, a little green and leafy. Decent for a rosé. 14/20

Jadot Beaune 1er Cru 1998: A good colour for this level. Soft red and black fruit - mainly the former - on the nose, with a lick of oak. Medium bodied palate, although with a slightly coarse texture and some unresolved tannin. Simple red fruit flavour. Nice marrowy texture though. Overall somewhat straightforward. 14.5/20

Antinori Chianti Classico 'Peppoli' 1997: A deep colour, showing some maturity. Macerated red fruits on the nose, with a touch of leather. Texture and pleasing extract on the palate, still with a little tannin, but surprisingly only moderate acidity. A little richness on the palate, with some early notes of vegetal complexity. Ready now. 15/20

Familia Zuccardi Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina) 1999: Interesting to try this wine, the 1998 vintage being a previous recommendation of mine. This vintage has a glossy hue, with just a hint of maturity at the rim. Lots of oak evident on the nose; spice, vanilla, coconut, chocolate and mint alongside the berry fruit. Rich, textured, and a little creamy on the palate. There are piles of red fruit enveloped in oak. Too much oak for me though. 14.5/20

Masi Paso-Doble Malbec Corvina (Tupungato, Argentina) 2002: When a wine conjures up images more of Latin-American dance routines than vineyards, it's worrying. But that's the Paso Doble for you. The wine itself has a dark, glossy, youthful hue. Closed nose. Sweet, vibrant and loaded with acidic fruit on the palate, with a sweet-savoury-acidic finish. Simple, straightforward stuff, but it generates a little interest. Might be worth tasting again. 15/20

Bonny Doon 'Old Telegram' (Santa Cruz, California) 1998: A dense colour, only fading a little at the rim. A somewhat 'hot' nose, with obvious alcohol, but with some mature notes creeping in at the side. Some toffee and medicinal characteristics also, and some stewed fruit. Dense, sweet, really big and structured. Piles of texture and extract, but also a firm, grippy structure. There is a hot, spicy, burnt feel to it mirroring the nose, but also plenty of meaty, extracted, spice and liquorice character. This wine has both good and bad points - but for me it has interest. 16/20

Chateau d'Angludet (Margaux) 1996: A good depth of colour. Brought to the tasting by me, and probably not given enough air before tasting. Nevertheless it has a good fruit-driven nose, although still with a lick of toffee oak I didn't notice last time. A lovely palate - but I am very biased. It has fruit with violets and perfumed notes. Correct acidity. Here is a wine with potential. 16.5/20

Franus Zinfandel (Contra Costa, Napa) 1999: A good, youthful colour here, and a glossy appearance. Rich, brawny, sweet alcoholic fruit on the nose, followed by a big, sweet, alcoholic palate. Strong on alcohol and texture rather than character. No particular faults though. 14.5/20

Dellrust Jerepigo (South Africa) NV: I have it on good authority that this is a botrytised Chenin Blanc which has also been fortified - a double whammy! An impressive burnished gold colour. Lovely honey, apple pie and botrytis character on the nose. Rich, sweet and packed with honey and marmalade flavour. There is richness, texture and opulence but also rich, brawny fruit. Fabulous stuff considering the asking price - I'm told this is sold in SA for less than the equivalent of £3. 16.5/20