1990 Penley Estate, Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
I thought that I’d broken the cork – it came out so easily – but no. The end of the cork, almost black and heavy with cassis – this wine seemed in good shape despite the cork. In the glass it wasn’t to be – the colour was relatively pale, and the nose was very spirity – I would have guessed an older, unsuccessful port. In the mouth even more so – yet without any overt oxidation! Such a strange wine, but with other options available, not one for drinking…
Rebuy – No
2014 Poulleau Père et Fils, Volnay 1er Chanlin
Medium, medium-plus colour. A nice freshness to this nose over a depth of cherry-stone fruit, slowly a very pretty floral is visible too – good! Really wide in the mouth, like the nose fresh, with a growing intensity of direct flavour. The flavour is also redolent of the cherry-stones with a little oak accompaniment. Pretty finish. Not the most profound 1er but it tastes great…
Rebuy – Yes
2015 Selection des Vignerons, Moulin à Vent
The label: “Union des Viticulteurs du Cru Moulin à Vent, Caveau Moulin à Vent, in Romanèche-Thorins. “Picked from a 100 blind-tasted samples, this wine is made from manually harvested graoes. Fermented in full clusters and aged 11 months in stainless steel… A wine to age.” Sent to me as a sample by the Union des Viticulteurs de Moulin-à-Vent
Ooh – that’s dark. Domestic management had black nail varnish – the wine looks a similar colour – swirl and a dark colour adheres to the side of the glass. The label says 13.5% – wink, wink! The nose is deep and dark – not particularly fruity – perhaps a trace of sulfur. In the mouth this has not bad freshness and really a cassis style – very dark and mouth-watering fruit. This is as delicious as it is well balanced, with a super length of finish and it typifies the problem with very many wines from this vintage – it is a super vin de garde, but it is so delicious already that I’m not so sure that many will be guarded!
Rebuy – Yes