Tasting Note No.9
I had high hopes for this wine by the Ngatarawa (Between the hills) winery from Hawkes Bay. Winemaker Alwyn Corban created an excellent blend from 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The style is unique but it does resemble a good red from St.Émilion. 1998 was the best ever vintage in the history of Ngatarawa.
Colour is very dark, Ox blood red nearing on black. Reserved nose of red berries, plums and dark chocolate. The palate is very concentrated and thick. Blood plums, more dark chocolate and first class grainy oak. Superb balance and richness of sweet fruit. Very long finish and POWER. At 5 years of age it's good drinking but people should hold on to it for an other 4 years until it peaks. The wine spent 12 months in oak and was made from grapes tended to by organic viticulture. It cost AU $30, money well spent if you can still find it.
Please note, I rate the 2000 vintage very highly as well. I tasted it earlier this year, it was a fragrant and much softer wine with delicious flavours and irresistable charm, a beautiful drink.
also tasted
SEPPELT Rutherglen Grand Tokay DP 57 750 ml
A solera Muscadelle, aged in old oak casks. Deep mahogany golden colour. Lovely rich nose with dried fruits, nutty oak and walnut. It reminded me of my mother's walnut-chocolate cake. The palate is very thick, sweet and rich. Complex flavours, good age and a long nutty finish, it was good drinking. At AU $22 a good value wine. I must note one thing though, the classic 'tea leaf' characters associated with Rutherglen Tokay is just NOT THERE. A good drink nevertheless.
SEPPELT Barossa Valley Oloroso DP 38 750 ml
A blend of Grenache and Palomino, blended to the average age of 18 years. I looked forward to this wine so much! I absolutely adored the 375 ml version of this last year and at AU $26 I considered it a bargain. I paid AU $21 for this big bottle and I thought I got a bargain. I didn't.
A pale ghost of it's former self, it is nothing more than an oaky, dry style aperitif lacking richness, length and proper balance. Even if it was a 5 litre bottle I wouldn't consider it a bargain. Give me back the absolutely SUPERB 375 ml Oloroso at $26, and I'd buy it without hesitation.
Tasted:October,2003