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May 2007 Vintages Pre-Release |
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Thursday, 26 April 2007 |
Reported by Chris Lefebvre
We started off with the Pol Roger Chardonnay Brut Champagne. Participants found this wine very enjoyable. A very pleasant champagne with toasty leaves, popcorn, and green apple aromas, followed by lots of fruit and a very nice mousse.
The favourite of the first flight of five whites was the Niagara Teaching Winery Riesling 2005 from Ontario at $14.95. This off-dry wine had perfumy aromas, great acidity, and a soft finish. Chosen as a close second, the Dopff Au Moulin Gewurztraminer 2003 from France at $24.95 showed very floral aromas of orange blossom, jasmine, and rose.
Of the second flight of five “Traditional Reds”, to most participants’ satisfaction, the favourite wine of the flight was also the least expensive. The 14 Hands Merlot 2002 from Washington State at $14.95 was described as a “BIG”, spicy, and rich New World-style wine. Spicy aromas of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, raisins, and big fruit which followed through on the palate. This New World off-dry rich wine was the clear favourite of the flight. Surprisingly, the Coste-Caumartin Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers 2003 from France at $59.95 was not selected by any participants as their favourite wine of the second flight. It was described as a food wine which would work well with pizza; it was quite acidic with pleasant fresh fruit, plum, and cherry. A few participants chose the Rocca Di Castagnoli Capraia Chianti Classico Riserva at $31.95 as their favourite of this flight. This balanced and aromatic wine with sweet oak had a nice finish. The Chateau d’Argadens 2003 from France at $17.95 was selected by a few participants as the favourite of the flight. Described as closed but balanced with dry tannins. Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2001, also from France at $37.95, was also chosen by a few participants as their favourite from the flight. This wine was pleasant on the nose with lots of fruit, barnyard, and spice. This wine would be good for another 5 to 7 years.
The third flight of five “Killer Reds” included the Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2002 at $99.95. It had a rich nose with lots of fruit but also high in alcohol. Balanced and described like a cherry liqueur, this port-like wine was only selected by one participant as their favourite of the flight. The Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini 1999 at $64.95 was also only selected by one participant as their favourite wine of the flight. This wine had a subdued nose with shoe polish aromas. Well balanced with good acidity and tannins, this wine possessed a nice cherry finish. The LCBO’s wine of the month, the Chateau l’Hospitalet la Reserve Rouge 2005 at $18.95 was selected by four participants. This wine had a pleasant nose, soft fruit, barnyard, with lots of black pepper. Described as having a good mouthfeel, dry, minty finish, it would work well with food. The Guigal Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2003 at $49.95 came in second. It had a rich nose, barnyard, cherry, leather, spice which followed through on the palate. The favourite of the flight was the Jim Barry The Mcrae Wood Shiraz 2003 at $42.95. This thick ruby wine had a burst of fruit on the palate, pepper, nutmeg, nice warm finish. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 June 2007 )
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The National Capital Sommelier Guild strongly supports moderate and responsible consumption of wine and spirits. Guild dinner events allow a designated driver to attend at a reduced price. The designated driver will not be served alcohol. Guild tasting events provide and encourage the use of spit buckets.