TN: Parker Estate Terra Rossa First Growth 1991
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 11:17 pm
A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. 13.0% A/V
I bought a case of this directly from the late John Parker at release for some rediculously low price and reckon it's the best of the earlier vintages by some measure. Unfortunately, like so many other iconic, Aussie blue chips, prices have gone through the roof for latter vintages and I just don't bother looking at this label anymore. It was nice to try this again after a 4 year hiatus and I'm pleased to report the wine is holding very well indeed. Word has it, since Ralph Fowler departed, things have been on the improve here with a better quality/consistency ratio, vintage to vintage. Anyone care to comment on this?
Ruby/garnet core with a fleck of amber/brown in the rim. Leafy, wet earth and herbaceous nose with decent levels of currant and plum in support. Cedar, lead pencil and sandalwood complete a classy, cool-climate aromatic profile. Housed within the palate (medium body, excellent structural definition and razor-sharp delineation) is a healthy, ripe, classically melded sweet and sour fruit/oak combo leaning more to elegance than overextraction and sheer power. This is definitely my style of wine. Wrapped in a cocoon of tingling acidity and melting fine-grained tannin this wine finishes with a mature softness that lingers gently for around 90 seconds; an extraordinary feat that few can rival. I'm happy to rate this Outstanding adding testimony to the capabilities of this famous wine region for producing world class reds. Drink anytime this decade with confidence.
The only thing I dislike about this wine is the preposterous, impudent reference to "First Growth" in the name.
I bought a case of this directly from the late John Parker at release for some rediculously low price and reckon it's the best of the earlier vintages by some measure. Unfortunately, like so many other iconic, Aussie blue chips, prices have gone through the roof for latter vintages and I just don't bother looking at this label anymore. It was nice to try this again after a 4 year hiatus and I'm pleased to report the wine is holding very well indeed. Word has it, since Ralph Fowler departed, things have been on the improve here with a better quality/consistency ratio, vintage to vintage. Anyone care to comment on this?
Ruby/garnet core with a fleck of amber/brown in the rim. Leafy, wet earth and herbaceous nose with decent levels of currant and plum in support. Cedar, lead pencil and sandalwood complete a classy, cool-climate aromatic profile. Housed within the palate (medium body, excellent structural definition and razor-sharp delineation) is a healthy, ripe, classically melded sweet and sour fruit/oak combo leaning more to elegance than overextraction and sheer power. This is definitely my style of wine. Wrapped in a cocoon of tingling acidity and melting fine-grained tannin this wine finishes with a mature softness that lingers gently for around 90 seconds; an extraordinary feat that few can rival. I'm happy to rate this Outstanding adding testimony to the capabilities of this famous wine region for producing world class reds. Drink anytime this decade with confidence.
The only thing I dislike about this wine is the preposterous, impudent reference to "First Growth" in the name.