InterWined.com

Liquid Refreshment

Browse

14

Aug

Down Under & Back Up Again

Jacob Gaffney  in Red Wines, Shiraz/Syrah, White Wines, Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier , , , ,

Started with (and these are all 2004s) a Shiraz Merlot blend… I’m reluctant to name names here; but it’s a big producer (aren’t they all from down under?) Initially it tasted a bit rusty, unpleasant, but after an hour or so, it became decent enough to drink. The bottle was left unfinished.

Then it was a Shiraz-Viognier. Not a typical blend, but still remarkable similar to the previous evening. Again, not finished. It also burned my throat.

I drank a Yalumba. You see, for me, a true wine should give the drinker an ironic feeling: a contradiction where the wine washes away the stress of the day and relaxes, whilst still enabling the drinker to feel invigorated and alive. No, this wine… this wine… just made me feel WEIRD. The next day, my head hurt.

I capped the Australian tour with a Rosemount 100 percent Shiraz.

The label was shouting ‘I’ve been designed to grab your attention, and hold it, so you don’t care if I’m any good on the inside.’ Luckily, by mid-week, I was decanting the wines and letting them sit for an hour before trying. This burned off the alcohol and brought out the tell-tale spiciness of the Shiraz. Spiciness?

I just grabbed a cold bottle of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from Concha y Toro screw cap (superior to cork when it comes to a ‘drink now’ status). It was lovely, crisp, almost the colour of water.

I went into the store and grabbed another bottle, same shelf, same place… same COLOUR. Only when I got it home did I notice it was the Chardonnay. But the label looks exactly the same! And how can a Chardonnay not retain any of its straw-like hue? It was a decent wine, but c’mon guys.

Keep reading...

Comment

8

Aug

Cabernet Sauvignon Retrospective

Jacob Gaffney  in Red Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, InterWined TV , , , , , , , , ,

Started several evenings ago with Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley 2003, wasn’t sure on the vintage, and paid £13 for it at Budgens.

The Web site said to expect “cherry, cassis, blackberry and a hint of black olive”; umm, yes. I got that – except the black olive. I would also elaborate that the wine is seamless, just a really lovely wine, with great balance and strength. It still suffers from that California sweetness, which is sometimes downright offensive, but not here. Nice.

The next night: Concha y Toro 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, £5 from Londis.

The next night: Jacob’s Creek 2004, Australia, £5 from Costcutter.

t smells awful and things only get worse from there. I will leave it at that.

So, I opened the Wolf Blass 2004 President Selection Cab, also Australia, £8 Costcutter…It should have been so much better…

Keep reading...

Comment