With grilled steelhead trout, portabellos, eggplant, and asparagus, the 2000 Domaine Guy Roulot Bourgogne Blanc. Clear appley Chardonnay fruit, some light mineral and hazelnut notes, good acidity, and good finish. A nice Chard. B+
Friday I was invited to a tasting group that a friend had formed with some of his commuter trainmates. A couple of people had dropped out, they were looking for new blood. What, me taste wine? I had a nice time, with a nice international (1 French, 1 Belgian, 1 German, and 2 of us Americans) crew in a lovely backyard. The theme was Australian, we each brought one blind bottle:
1) This wasn't blind for me, I knew it was my wine. Blackcherry and cassis fruit, notes of chocolate and cedar. Not quite as concentrated as a recent bottle, but mature and complex. (1991 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/Shiraz) A-/B+
2) Whoa, what a difference. Huge blackberry fruit, lots of oak, a bit hot on the finish, almost "porty". Thick and heavy, undeniably impressive. Needs time (1999 Elderton Command). A- in the style, but a B for me.
3) A bit less concentrated than the Command, but very clear fruit, some vanilla and oak, but not overwhelming. Overall more balanced than the Elderton - medium to full-bodied, I quite liked. Tie for WOTN with the 389. (2001 Gatekeeper Shiraz, McClaren Vale) A-/B+
4) Sweet oak, dark sweet fruit, a bit short on the finish B- (2000 Wolf Blass Presidents Selection Cabernet Sauvignon).
5) My notes read "sweet, sweet, sweet", and "sweet blackberry". The 2003 Marquis Philips Shiraz. B- for my tastes Fun night with a nice group. Australian wouldn't be my first choice for a tasting, but I had fun. And will look out for the Gatekeeper.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency. Dale
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