Random tasting notes

[sjw_11]

In the spirit that I can't use the "what are you drinking now" thread to post notes from two months ago or more... I thought I would add a thread for random tasting notes without any over-arching theme!

[sjw_11]

• 2013 Flagstone Viognier Word of mouth - South Africa, Western Cape (10/9/2017)
  This is 100pc Viognier from vines which produced their first vintage in 2001. Flagstone is based in Somerset West, outside of Cape Town. Bottles under screw cap.
  
  This is fresh and clean still for a 4yr old Viognier from a region unheralded for the variety. The nose displays ripe apricot with just a hint of candied syrup. The palate is quite round with a touch of grippy phenolic characters but not unpleasantly so. Good balance. Quite a surprise. (86 pts.)
• 2011 Morgenster Nebbiolo Nabucco - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch (9/29/2017)
  Intriguing wine grabbed from duty free at JNB. On day one my sense of this was much more of place than grape- ripe red fruits, a certain warmth and a bit of tannin but nothing like the savoury, mouth puckering stature of the classic Italian versions.
  
  Today I am revisiting on day three and the variety speaks a lot clearer. While there is a hint of oxidation there is also a clearer note of rose petals and tar - I.e classic Nebbiolo characters. The palate is still pretty gentle and fleshy though.
  
  Fair attempt and looking decent for the bottle age and potentially dubious duty free treatment. (85 pts.)
• 2011 Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch (9/25/2017)
  Balanced but slightly bland, with gentle red fruits and broadly resolved tannins. Held up well over several days so no rush to drink.
• 2015 Waterford Estate Pinot Noir - South Africa, Cape South Coast, Elgin (8/22/2017)
  This has what I would describe as a more masculine or muscular pinot profile- slightly riper red fruits, and a bit more structure. Less of the ethereal aromatics of the best pinot. Still, it is not over done and it is well balanced, beguiling and with a good structure. I recently tried the 2013 and it was remarkably similar, showing a distinct house style. (87 pts.)
• 2003 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 Kalimna - Australia, South Australia (8/22/2017)
  Consumed for enjoyment only over dinner, no formal notes. This was cellared by me professionally from release. Purchased from Dan Murphy in Payneham for a marvellous $16.90/bottle or thereabout. Drinking very nicely. I don't see a lot more in the future, but no rush to drink.
• 1999 Château La Tour-Martillac Blanc - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (8/21/2017)
  Finished, caput, finito. Oxidised. NR (flawed)
• 2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Pajé - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (8/12/2017)
  Mid-red in the glass, this is quite tightly wound and austere still on the nose. The quality is evident but even open two days it does not fully reveal itself. Within the complex bouquet there is classic Nebbiolo florals, some grilled meat, a hint of candied red fruit. The palate opens with bright red fruit and finishes with a firm wall of tannin and well structured acidity.
  
  Appealing but overall drunk much too early, I wouldnt open the next bottle for at least 5 years... (90 pts.)
• 2012 Bonavita Faro - Italy, Sicily, Faro (8/7/2017)
  This wine is made from Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Nocera from 10-80yr old vines. Production is organic and largely manual. The wine is aged in oak for 24months. Only 7,000 bottles produced (according to the website). 2012 saw a rainy winter, followed by a very dry and hot spring and summer, producing good conditions.
  
  This is bright ruby red in the glass. The nose shows appealing sweat and sour red cherry fruit with a hint of balsamic after breathing. There are hints of bright red lollies, but also some green or herbal elements as well- an intriguing mix. The palate opens with fleshy red fruits, quickly followed by a surprisingly firm wall of tannin. Relatively light, elegant wine, however the acid and tannin suggests this could have very interesting ageing potential over at least the mid-term. (90 pts.)
• 2013 Terrazze dell'Etna Etna Carusu - Italy, Sicily, Etna DOC (8/4/2017)
  Consumed on premise off the wine list at Canto Corvino, one of my locals, and I must say well recommended. Hence just a few quick thoughts jotted down.
  
  Mid, pale red, Beautiful, lifted and exotic nose of red fruits, spice and some perfumed, floral elements. Great complexity and interest. A slight herbal component emerges with more air.
• 2015 Davenport Vineyards Horsmonden - England, Kent (7/10/2017)
  No formal notes but this was a surprise package. Fruit salad flavours and good acidity. Over priced at 17 quid but typical of English wines. (86 pts.)

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[michel]

I can concur
They ARE random tasting notes
I wonder if I will be under pressure to start another thread of Unreliable erratic tasting notes
I specialise in those