Various wines from the last week.

1999 Noceto Sangiovese: Can't say that Sangiovese is my first thought for
Californian grapes but this is okay. Light, bright crimson with a nose
that shouts Chianti. Cherries and slightly spicy oak come through as you
taste with soft tannins. Picked this up reduced from £15.50 to £10,
pretty good for its reduced price but would struggle compared to most of
the £15 Chianti's I've tried.

2000 De Bortoli Noble One: Had a vague reason to celebrate and this was in
the fridge so went for it. Rich orangy gold, fading to colourless at the
rim. Slightly subdued nose (maybe a tad cold) with maybe some orange peel
and botrytis. Well rounded in the mouth obviously sweet but the balance
was excellent so nothing overpowered, excellent now and I'm sure will stay
that way for a while.

1998 Burrton Napa Cabernet: I don't buy much US wine as it often seems to
be slightly overpriced here but this was written up as being a steal and
it's not bad for £12. Was opened as a substitute for a corked bottle and
initially very tannic but decanting and swirl calmed it down a bit. Dry
blackcurranty nose, very full in the mouth with some oak, tobbaco and
fruit. I'd say this had some time ahead of it but not bad now.


Then at the weekly tasting for one of the local merchants (Veritas for
any who happen to be in Cambridge, UK) sketchy notes as I was chatting:

1999 Simonsig Wood matured Sauvigon Blanc: wood wasn't that obvious except
possibly on the nose which seemed a little dirty, palate was middle of the
road not the really minerally SB of Sancerre nor the citrus explosion of
NZ but still quite nice and not bad value at £7.

1998 Buitenverwachting Meifort: (glad I've got a list to copy names from!)
a Bordeaux style blend, nose was quite promising oak and cab. sauv traits,
unfortunately it was rather thin and uninteresting to taste. £6.49 but
even at that price nothing to get excited by.

1995 Hedges Red Mountain Reserve: Don't think I've had a Washington
Cabernet before, and while this was okay I wasn't rushing to buy it.
Extremely dark, everything else about it was a bit schizophrenic (or maybe
my tastebuds were) since I alternated between "quite nice, slightly rich"
and "okay but missing something" probably one to try before you buy
especially at £15. Would rate the Burrton as rather better.

1999 Masi Costasera Amarone: I've like the few amarone's I've had before
but this didn't do it for me, lots of prunes and raisins, slightly to
burnt, might have been open to long or just need more time to come round.
£22.50.

1999 Masi Grandarella: my pick of the evening, really rich and smooth this
was more what I expect from the amarone (apparently its made via double
fermitation in part with the used amarone grapes). Pretty good and priced
about right at £17. My only problem with wines like this is what would I
serve with them.

Regards

Ian