Some notes taken at a New Years Eve event … in 2006 leading into 2007.
Seppelt Salinger 1994
A slightly better bottle than the last one, this was fresher on the
palate. On the nose there were aromas of creme brulee, toast, lime and
a dab of oak. Still not amazingly complex on the palate, but the length
is good and it is well balanced.
88/100
Moet et Chandon 1999
Green apples and grass on the nose. Very lean palate, acid stands out and this is very simple and short.
82/100
T’Gallant Moscato 2006
A pale salmon colour. Very light spritz. Strawberry, turkish delight
and cherry on the nose. Palate has a medium level of sweetness, needs a
touch more acid to be refreshing but it is still quite nice.
86/100
Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon 1994
Honeyed nose with toast and lemon as well. There is an oily texture to
the medium intensity palate. No rough edges, this was very nice
drinking now.
91/100
Raymond Boulard Cuvee Reserve NV
Apples, some florals and some candy style raspberry notes. Crisp
palate, medium length. No elements of great excitement but it is well
made and enjoyable.
87/100
Best’s Great Western Chardonnay 1986
Grapefruit, honey and wet wool aromas. Incredibly youthful palate, it
was fresh, balanced and long. Seemed as though it could live another 10
years as well.
90/100
Robert Groffier Les Amoureuses 1996
Brilliant, shifting, challenging nose of cherry, earth, violets, spice
and fleeting notes of coffee beans. The palate is so delicate and
wonderfully poised. the mouthfeel is beautiful with well integrated
tannin and acid. Superb.
94/100
Charles Melton Sparkling Shiraz (disg. February 99)
Cola, chocolate and a strong horse stable component. The palate is almost sickly sweet. Worst bottle of this that I’ve had.
79/100
Orlando Lawson Shiraz 1991
Dark crimson colour. Sweetly fruited with a touch of mint. Nice
intensity to the palate, it is bold without being over the top or
losing focus. Very youthful, it will go another 5 years without any
trouble and it wouldn’t surprise me if people were saying the same
thing in 5 years.
89/100
J. Vidal-Fleury Cote-Rotie Brune et Blonde 1998
From magnum. Lifted florals, pepper, five spice and red cherries.
Savoury palate with good acidity and a medium length finish. Very good.
90/100
Domaine Michel Gros Vosne-Romanee Clos des Reas 1998
Deeply coloured. Very perfumed nose, with florals and light raspberry.
Tannins are quite grippy at present, but contribute to the good
structure. Well balanced acidity.
90/100
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello 2001
Briary and tobacco aromas followed by vanilla, coconut and some floral
characters. Quite aggressive tannins on the palate, but the length and
structure are both excellent. Give this time and you will be rewarded.
91/100
Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Brut 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs 1998
Opened to drink at midnight. Corked. Happy new year.
NR/100
Pol Roger Brut 1998
Apples, yeast, toast and some smoke. Good length and balance, with
medium flavour intensity. Will be nice to drink over the next 5 years.
89/100
Henschke Cyril Henschke 1994
DMS city with blackcurrant, tinned corn, blackberry and chocolate oaky
aromas. Palate is alright, but the wine as a whole isn’t up to the
standard of one had a year prior.
84/100
Chateau d’Yquem 1958
An incredibly generous gesture from a friend of Phil’s to bring this
along to share. This has been open for a while, the nose was deeply
scented and consisted of caramel, burnt sugar, orange peel and almond.
Luscious mouthfeel, the acid struggling a little bit to keep pace. I
was immensely glad to have gotten the chance to try this.
92/100
Veuve Fourny Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru Brut NV
Apples, cinnamon, honey and smoke. Dry on the good length palate, with racy acidity and great refreshment value.
88/100