Preamble Tasting January
2003
A Worldwide Tour of Wines
David Whelehan, O'Brien's
1. Blanquette de Limoux
Golden with an orange tint.
Biscuity, very pleasant nose. Taste not as good as the nose, but
pleasant nonetheless.
€15.99
2. Chanson Chablis 2001
Light, gold-green.
Slightly floral, unusual nose. Some chalk on the palate, mineral,
fruit, quite acidic. The makers are said to offer great hospitality.
€12.99
3. Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, 2002
Very light silvery green.
Citrus, grapefruit, cats pee and very pronounced (but it took a while to
identify - passion fruit. A big buzz on the palate, refreshing acid
drops. A lovely long finish of passion fruit with a saltiness at the
end. 13% Excellent, intense.
€12.49
4. Jasnieres Cuvee St. Narcisse, 2000
Honey coloured; intense
nose of wet wool and rubber. Very concentrated, intense, honey.
Weighty and elegant, feels like it has more than 12% alc. A
beautifully rounded, elegant, weighty but balanced wine with intense
flavours. one of the best I've tasted in a long time.
€15.99
5. St. Aubin Premier Cru, 1999
Light, golden green.
Huge but odd nose, hints of toffee, honey, pear, vanilla. A heavy
feel, smooth, balanced vanilla and fruit with butterscotch. This is
from near Chassagne nad Puligny Montrachet. Surrounded by thick
walls and at a low temperature it is slow fermentation wine
that is still very young; should be a stunner.
€25
6. Montrachet 1997
Served blind. Yellow
brown. Huge toasty oak on the nose; on the palate more oak, fruit,
the lowish acidity of 1997 implies that it must be a grand cru because it
is still young and with lots of toffee.
€Lots
7. Chanson Fleurie 2000
Very light,
nose not so synthetic as many, hint of violets. Good balanced feel;
some soft leather tannins, elegant notes and fruit. Will go ten
years or more, they say. This was very nice; quite an admission from
someone who generally dislikes Gamay and maceration carbonique. I'd
love to try it when it is ready.
€12.99
8. Pasetti Montepulciano 2000
Dark and clear with
purply shades. Said to be typically Italian but not to me.
Lots of big, robust fruit on the nose. Some mouth-coating tannins,
loads of fruit, some astringency - and has the guts to take it. A
very fine, big wine for the price. Leave it a few years.
€10.49
9. Vitiano, Falesco, Umbria 2001
Deep,
sparkling red. A little closed - something very unusual on the nose.
Very restrained fruit pastilles with a good, leathery feel. Some
burn, refreshing acid, long hollow tannin feeling with comforting warmth;
big.
€11.49
10. Abadia Retuerta Rivola, Sardon de Duero, 2000
Slightly lighter, still
dark, clear. Quite closed, some strawberry jam. On the palate
a wash of strawberries and raspberries, good burn, little (or well-hidden)
vanilla. Another fine wine, and very good at the price.
€12.99
11. Whitehaven Pinot Noir 2001
Very 'red'; light with an
orange rim. Nose a very esy strawberry. Tastes of
strawberries, good acid, lots of fruit. A bit hololow - not my cup
of tea but a very well-made wine.
€17.99
12. Chateau Beau Rivage, AC Bordeaux, 1998
Another dark red, this
time less clear. Lovely fruitcake nose. 70% Merlot, with Cab
Franc and Petit Verdot. About 2 km from Margaux. Very sharp, sour
milk. Major disappointment after so many excellent wines. Pity.
€14.99