|
Premier Cuvee
1998 - $25 |
Lively mousse, bright lemon-lime-straw colour.
Subtle, clean, with hints of smoke, citrus, toast, and wood.
Crisp and fruity, with a solid acidic spine, yet delicate on
the tongue. Lightish body with good length. A capable sparkler
that will probably be sold out by the time you read this. |
|
Riesling 2002 - $15 |
Brilliant almond-straw. Deep honey and apricot
aromas, with a hint of paraffin. Crisp, clean and off-dry, with
huge, mouth-filling fruit and a push of citrus on the close.
Quite full bodied and long, showing amazingly huge flavour, elegance
and plenty of guts. |
|
Late Harvest Pinot
Gris 2002 - $18 |
As he poured this wine, Herb said he only had
two cases left. By the time we were done our sampling, all but
three bottles had been scooped up by that afternoon's visitors!
Bright lemon-gold in colour, it's very laid back, slightly nutty,
with a touch of apple peel. Crisp, barely off-dry, with lots
of juicy fruit. Very good body and length. Maybe next year.... |
|
Chardonnay Unoaked
2001 - $20 |
Brilliant honey-lemon colour. The nose suggests
sweetness, with ripe tree fruits, caramel, and banana. Delicate
but sumptuous. Quite crisp and mouthfilling, a somewhat oxidized
quality, and lively acid spine. Quite full and long, showing
more substance than expected. Huge in the mouth and very dry
on the finish. |
|
Chardonnay Reserve
2001 - $27 |
Bright lemon-straw. Lots of stinky oak (Both
French and US, I'm told, but the spicy French oak comes out on
top), alongside butter and tropical fruits. Spectacular. No less
impressive on the palate, huge and mouthfilling with a nippy
acidity, lush fruit and smokey oak on the back palate. Fat and
immensely long. Both massive and elegant at the same time. Would
do well in the cellar, if you can keep your hands off it. A good
match for roast beef. |
|
Gamay Unfiltered 2000
- $20 |
Medium garnet colour. Awesome fruit aromas, suggesting
plums and blackberries, with terrific spice accompaniment. Quite
crisp with just a hint of tannin to support the raspberry flavour
and a hint of tar in the background. Quite meaty for Gamay, with
very good length. Still in a lighter style but loaded with fruit
character. An ideal match for white meats or BBQ. |
|
Gamay Reserve 2000
- $25 |
Full ruby-garnet colour. Sweet oak off the top
with cardamom, vanilla and ripe red berries. Very clean and elegant
with subtle berry flavours, crisp acidity and negligible tannins.
Good body and length. Would benefit from another year in the
cellar, but sumptuous and quality driven. Substantial enough
to work with standing rib. |
|
Merlot 2001 - $25 |
Deep purpley black-cherry colour. Subtle spice,
pepper, blackcurrant, and a touch of cedar on the nose. Raw power
on the palate, juicy, plummy, with dusty tannins on the back
palate. Full bodied, long and even, it's still a bit young but
it shows amazing strength and drinkability. Well worth the price
and more. |
|
Tasting Date: June 7, 2003 |
 |
