Higher Plane Impressions

[DaveL]

Some impressions on the Higher Plane range:
The 2002 Chardonay was difficult to show at the right temperature, I found that with a half chill the nose seemed to shut right down, but the palate showed very nicely with creamy oak, melon and stone fruit with a lingering finish. As the wine warmed the nose came to life but the palate became a little clumsy.
The 2002 Pinot showed quite subdued when first opened, though it opened up to show classic aromatic pinot characters, with lifted sap and pine notes. Tannin seemed to build in the bottle and added to the finish.
I chose to show the 2001 Cabernet Merlot next because it was so tightly closed (I wish I'd brought a decanter) it was not flattered after the Merlot. The Cabernet showed lots of potential but wasn't close to coming together yet, a swirl that bordered on violence only brought out the slightest whiff of blackcurrant and mint. The wine has good structure and length with persistant tannins.
The 2002 Merlot showed excellent varietal character, strong aromas of plum with hint of cedar. On the palate I found sweet plummy fruit with a big round mouth feel, though it pulled up a trifle short on the finish. I was unsurprised to finf that this wine was better recieved than the Cabernet Merlot and the owners baked this up, saying that the Cabernet was a much longer term prospect than the straight Merlot