In this case: Viña Ventisquero Pinot Noir, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.

The 2005 will be the best – eventually. Now it’s the 2003. The 2002 is on its way out, and so lacks fresh vivacity and sandal soapiness of a Chilean Pinot Noir. The 2004 had too much rain, and that is evident in the wine, especially when running against the others.

A vertical of the Cabernet Sauvignons 2003, 2004, 2005: All decent. New Oak and mineral. The evening was sealed as winemaker Felipe Tossa Bruna presented a sneak peek of Ventisquero’s latest Iconic wine, Pangea. The wine is a collaboration of John Duval of Penfold’s Grange fame. The wine is being launched at the end of June, and will retail for around £25 per bottle.

Out of the league for the InterWined.com wallet, which doesn’t want to give away any tasting notes on Pangea just yet, except for this: buy a bottle for a special occasion. It is an incredibly delicious and drinkable wine.

Pangea rocks, dude.

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The 2003 Bodegas Olvena Magnum from Somontano, Spain, was purchased after some hard bargaining between InterWined and the fabulous wine shop, Planet of the Grapes. One of the owners, Matt, said, “Hey, InterWined, buy that bottle for 20 quid and stick it on your blog”.

The black cherry was also expected, but no less enjoyed. There was a hint of tarty flint, which would be more pronounced, and likely less enjoyable, in a single bottle offering. Delicious: 8.7.

The 2003 Magnum of Vendange California Cabernet is an example of a big American wine in a big American bottle…ready to drink on a Friday night – this one – and the new oak abounds with black berry. Simple and effective. Let breath for two hours to one day: 8.5.

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Ruinart is a Champagne house that appeals both in taste and in price. In fact, their lower priced bottlings are tremendously delicious. Unfortunately, the Blanc de Blancs (only Chardonnay) is not worth the £45 price tag. (It was a celebration.)

Other positives are the Lanson Black Label which frequents the cheapside London party scene. Not sure of the price, but it’s nice.

But, it’s the Bollinger NV that takes the cake: minerality, mainly flint, a nice, crisp profile with a touch of tarty green apple. Not to mention a decent weight and enjoyable finish: 8.8. Bollinger also continues to bubble for FOUR days after being opened. Now that’s gas.

The cabbie did add that he felt Argentina trumps Chile with its block-buster Malbec and that 2005 Ribera del Duero was going to be a very promising vintage(!).

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A guest just left the InterWined palace. This guest also reads this blog religiously.
After dinner with some wine importers, the guest declared that the very same wine importers had “finally taught [this person] the correct way to drink wine”.
Again, this person reads InterWined religiously…
How to drink & taste wine:
1. Sniff the empty wine glass. This […]

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