Four Random Tasting Notes

This post covers a mixture of wines that we have drunk this summer. The Terlato-Chapoutier is imported by Bacchus Importers, Ltd. The Man O’ War and Reserve St. Dominique were purchased from MacArthur’s. The Chasseur was purchased on sale at Arrowine.  I only recommend the Reserve St. Dominique.

2009 Terlato-Chapoutier, Shiraz-Viognier, Victoria
This wine is 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier that is fermented in cement or stainless steel.  The wine was aged in micro0-oxygenated tanks for 10-12 months.  The very purple color is of light to medium opacity.  There is a light nose of purple fruits with more toast than the 2009 Remizieres, Crozes-Hermitage.  Though rounder in flavor, it is less complex.  It is more coarse and intentionally structured with dark toast and fine tannins.  I think this wine is improving as the vintages go by but it suffers in comparison to the Remizieres.  ** Now.

2008 Man O’ War, Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Malbec, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
This wine is 42% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 19% Malbec, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wine was aged on lees for 11 months in Old French and American barrels.  This was a bizarre wine that I kept visiting over three days. There is a dark, black cherry color. The nose has aromas of dark, tight roast and toast from barrels and confected black fruits. In the mouth there are dark fruits with some minerals but again, lots of roast and coffee. There is supportive acidity in the aftertaste and minimal tannins. The nose, mouth, and aftertaste all share the same overt barrel roast, marked coffee, and dark berries. It is a bit overdone in my opinion. * Now.

2007 Reserve Saint Dominique, Lirac
This wine is approximately 65% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre.  This is light to medium opacity. There is a light nose of blue fruits. In the mouth there are ample flavors of creamy, primary, blue fruit. It is a modern style of wine with a lifted aftertaste. There are fine+ new tannins.  I would cellar this a few years before drinking.  **(*) 2015-2019.

2006 Chasseur, Chardonnay, Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
This wine was aged for 17 months in 60 gallon French oak of which 67% were new.  The light gold color shows promise with its long legs. Then the disappointment hits. The light nose has apple aromas that are slightly yeasty. There are soft flavors in the mouth of creamy oak. This wine tastes expensive but is completely boring. I had Lou taste this on its second night and I believe he agreed that it was not a flawed bottle but an uninteresting one.  *  Now.