TN: Wedding Wine Tasting - Choosing the Red Wine
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 7:11 am
Always plenty of whites at home, but not a lot of red, so for the wedding BBQ I need some bottles. What I want is something that is easy to drink and smooth, but with enough body to go with food. We actually found a perfect wine in a Supermarket in Belgium – 2014 Pacha Reserve Merlot, Vina Marty, Chile – but I don’t think I could get away with an “Own Brand” wine and bottle variation for Supermarket wine seems to be pretty large. 2009/2010 Bordeaux sound like it would fit my demands and as Trudi is Australian, a nice Shiraz would be possible. Budget again is 15 euro though, which makes the Auz option rather difficult. These were drunk with food over 2 weekends with the same group of friends.
2010 Chateau Le Prade, Cotes de Bordeaux
This is made by Thienpont (of Pavie Macquin) and its a monster – 15% alcohol. Very ripe, saturated colour, stains the glass. Its balanced though and while Merlot must make up the majority of the blend, there is definitely a touch of Cab Franc. This really is great and looks likely to be a winner. Yum and fine value at 14 euro. 3*
2010 Chateau Croix-Mouton, Bordeaux Superior
This is good name if you want modest well made Bdx. I bought this when it was first released and it was great, even in the Sommeliar Riedel Cab glasses. This has moved on though and its not quite the poised, tense fruit bomb I remember. Some almonds on the nose, red pepper, tomato leaf, red fruit. Its definitely aged and while it’s the more complex wine, its not going to be a crowd pleaser. 3*
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Tahbilk
On offer in town at 13,50 and that’s a good price for an aged Auz Cab. This is more austere than the 2 Bdx wines. Restrained blackcurrant fruit. Quite elegant, but it needs time to really open and it only comes alive after 2 days. Needs to ‘pop and go”, so while it’s a good option for a dinner at home, its not going to be a party wine. 2.5*
2010 Chateau Ame Musset, Lalande de Pomerol
Another ’10 Bdx. This is not as open as the previous 2 and while there is good red berry fruit and some vanilla, its not going to be easy to drink. Much better the next day and probably the most refined of all the wines. Just not quite what I am looking for. 2.5*
2008 Dehasa le Grana, Alexandra Fernandez, Catilla y Leon, Spain
This was the first bottle to be finished, just ahead of the La Prade, and that is a good sign. Great QPR, this had a very complex nose with rose petal and some leather. Dark cherry fruit, layered, touch of talcum. Its definitely the favourite of the tasters, but I wonder if its just a bit too complex. Hmm. 3*
2014 Church Block Cabernet-Shiraz-Merlot, Wirra Wirra
I thought this would be too young, but Trudi wanted to try it. This might go down well with the guests and Australian Red was where the collecting bug started for me, but god this is boring. Its well made, savory and has well judged oak. It just has no personality. May improve with time in the cellar, but its not for me. Trudi thought it was fine though. 2.5*
Tie between the Le Prade and the Spanish wine, but checking with the merchant, the 08 is basically sold out and if I want 18 bottles, then it has to be the ’12 vintage. He thinks its just as good, but it was the age that was the key to the ’08 and as that’s gone I order the ’10 La Prade. Absolutely nothing for lovers of traditional Claret, but I think it will go great with the Burgers, Steak and suckling pig.
No tasting required for the white wine – a good price at auction meant its 07 Schloss Leisser Riesling Kabinet. Should be approaching its prime and a screw cap means there should be no cork issues.
2010 Chateau Le Prade, Cotes de Bordeaux
This is made by Thienpont (of Pavie Macquin) and its a monster – 15% alcohol. Very ripe, saturated colour, stains the glass. Its balanced though and while Merlot must make up the majority of the blend, there is definitely a touch of Cab Franc. This really is great and looks likely to be a winner. Yum and fine value at 14 euro. 3*
2010 Chateau Croix-Mouton, Bordeaux Superior
This is good name if you want modest well made Bdx. I bought this when it was first released and it was great, even in the Sommeliar Riedel Cab glasses. This has moved on though and its not quite the poised, tense fruit bomb I remember. Some almonds on the nose, red pepper, tomato leaf, red fruit. Its definitely aged and while it’s the more complex wine, its not going to be a crowd pleaser. 3*
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Tahbilk
On offer in town at 13,50 and that’s a good price for an aged Auz Cab. This is more austere than the 2 Bdx wines. Restrained blackcurrant fruit. Quite elegant, but it needs time to really open and it only comes alive after 2 days. Needs to ‘pop and go”, so while it’s a good option for a dinner at home, its not going to be a party wine. 2.5*
2010 Chateau Ame Musset, Lalande de Pomerol
Another ’10 Bdx. This is not as open as the previous 2 and while there is good red berry fruit and some vanilla, its not going to be easy to drink. Much better the next day and probably the most refined of all the wines. Just not quite what I am looking for. 2.5*
2008 Dehasa le Grana, Alexandra Fernandez, Catilla y Leon, Spain
This was the first bottle to be finished, just ahead of the La Prade, and that is a good sign. Great QPR, this had a very complex nose with rose petal and some leather. Dark cherry fruit, layered, touch of talcum. Its definitely the favourite of the tasters, but I wonder if its just a bit too complex. Hmm. 3*
2014 Church Block Cabernet-Shiraz-Merlot, Wirra Wirra
I thought this would be too young, but Trudi wanted to try it. This might go down well with the guests and Australian Red was where the collecting bug started for me, but god this is boring. Its well made, savory and has well judged oak. It just has no personality. May improve with time in the cellar, but its not for me. Trudi thought it was fine though. 2.5*
Tie between the Le Prade and the Spanish wine, but checking with the merchant, the 08 is basically sold out and if I want 18 bottles, then it has to be the ’12 vintage. He thinks its just as good, but it was the age that was the key to the ’08 and as that’s gone I order the ’10 La Prade. Absolutely nothing for lovers of traditional Claret, but I think it will go great with the Burgers, Steak and suckling pig.
No tasting required for the white wine – a good price at auction meant its 07 Schloss Leisser Riesling Kabinet. Should be approaching its prime and a screw cap means there should be no cork issues.
