A Few American Wines Feb 7 2010

There were also a few American wines at the same tasting (see post below), but you have to understand that it was still before midday on a Sunday, and I had been vigorously tasting the ancient Bordeaux beforehand, so if I approached these wines with anything less than intense enthusiasm, then you will have to forgive me. Sadly I did not make my way through all of these, but this is what I thought of the ones I liked:

1970 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon: Showing extremely well, still had a pretty intense nose of game, black fruit and earth, and a complex and evolving palate, rich yet refined, with fine tannins and clear acidity that balanced the other strong flavours very well. An excellent wine. The surprise of the tasting for me.

1987 Dominus: Had a dark ruby core with a red-brick rim, a very refined nose, floral, earthy, black cherry and currants, tobacco. Dark fruit, leather, cedar and lots of earthy minerality on the palate, with balanced tannins and acidity. Splendid indeed.

If only they still made Napa cabs in these styles..

The only other wine I thought would be worth sharing with you was the 1995 Fess Parker Syrah, which was a very well-balanced wine. It had a huge nose of sweet black fruit, a little game and marzipan(?), which was dense and rich on the palate, with excellent acidity and big tannins. A very good wine indeed if you like this style.

Right, I'm done now, you can put the knives away, and roll down your sleeves...