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also come through in an aromatic wine with a soft finish. This is really,
at only four years of age, a baby. It has many years of drinking ahead of
it due to its structure and tannins which, even now, are relatively mild.
The finish, for its age, is incredibly soft. Rich and delicious.
Errazuriz - Founder's Reserve Don Maximiano (2006) - again from
the Errazuriz stable in the from the Aconcagua Valley, and named after
Don Maximiano Errázuriz who founded Viña Errázuriz in 1870. Made
from 85% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, and 5% petit Verdot,
this was a well-structured, full and complex wine. Again intense ruby
red, almost inky, in colour. A nose of cassis, truffles, black fruits, pepper
and a hint of chocolate. On the palate blackcurrant fruit, spice, liquorice,
leather and silky tannins. Whilst full bodied – a fresh and elegant wine.
and Frankby. There is, as would become apparent if you were to join
in, no entry level when it comes to wine knowledge. If you have a
basic understanding and knowledge of wine, then that knowledge and
understanding will improve quickly. If you know a fair bit more about
wine than that, you will still learn more and more. These wine tasting
sessions really do have something for everybody, but above all else they
are fun and provide a great release from a hard day, or even week, at
work. Very casual, very informative and as much to do with what is
going on in the world generally as it is about wine!
Happy Christmas!
Bonny Doon Vineyard - Muscat ‘Vin de Glacière’ (N/V) – translating
to ‘wine of the icebox’, and whilst a non-vintage wine, this wine had
been cellared for somewhere in the region of 10 years or more. This was
wonderful, rich, muscat. Sweet, but balanced and not overpowering.
Honey and flowers with a lovely long finish. People talk about this type
of sweet wine as being a dessert wine. Yes – it will go with desserts.
For me, though, this is perfect with cheese. Again, another great winery
with a range of good wines.
The ten wines tasted were all wines that showcased the power, the
range and the quality that the Americas possess when it comes to world
class, quality, wines. The truth is that all the wines were great examples
of some of the stunning wines that come from Chile, Argentina and
California. One of the group simply described each mouthful, of each
wine, as ‘lovely’ (no name mentioned – but you know who you are)!
That, though, they all were.
Each wine was marked individually by the fourteen people in attendance.
There wasn’t much between the wines when it came to totting up the
scores at the end of the evening. The winner was, by a short head, the
Pulenta Grand Cabernet Franc XI. For those of you who have never
come across the Pulenta winery; go and seek out some of their vast
range of outstanding wines. All their wines are fabulous. Keep a look
out for two of my other favourites from the winery – the XIV Pinot Gris
and the VII Gran Corte.
Finally, if anybody reading this article is interested in learning more
about wine, or would like to join a wine tasting class, then contact
Steve Byrne on 07828 629367. Wine courses are run in Oxton, Hoylake
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