El Vino continued

By Iani deKock

Wines are listed from white to red and in order of rating.

Rudolf Muller Mariengold Liebfraumilch 2005                                                                    Alc: 8.8%

Wine of Origin: Germany                                                                                                       Rating: 11
                                                                                                                                       Price: $349

‘The initial taste is so sweet that any fruits were completely overwhelmed.  1 dimensional and shallow.’ ‘Fruity and sour disaster.’ ‘Not sophisticated, but easy drinking summer wine.’

A clear, pale hue with a shy violets and flowery perfumed nose.  Medium bodied and sweet with a flowers and peaches palate. Nice juicy acidity, but somewhat tart.

Le Petit Sommelier 2004                                                                                                      Rating: 12
Wine of Origin: France                                                                                                         Price: $279
A clear, bright golden color. Looks crisp. Green Apple, apricots and fruity perfume nose with an apples and strong citrus, lemon zest palate. A bit lacking in fruit, the aftertaste comes through tart and the finish is insignificant. A medium-bodied, slightly sweet everyday drinking wine. 

‘Bland, but drinkable.’

Club de Sommeliers Chardonnay N/V                                                                                  Alc: 13%
Wine-of-Origin: French                                                                                                           Rating: 14
                                                                                                                             Price: $239

Golden yellow with a yeasty, baked bread and lemons nose.  Slight wooded tones.  A dry, juicy wine with a slightly tart, lemon aftertaste. Quite atypical for a French Chardonnay, reflects a warmer climate in a New World style.  Quite a long finish.

‘A wine I’d expect to drink at Freedom.  ‘Overwhelming at first, but charming aftertaste’

‘Heartburn wine!’ 

Inglenook Classic White                                                                                                       Alc: 12.5%
Wine-of-Origin: California, USA.                                                                                           Rating: 15
                                                                                                                           Price: $265

Light pale color.  A nice green, cut grass, wet hay nose.  A crisp, pleasant, easy drinking wine.  Slight residual sugar and well balanced fruits and acidity.

‘Satisfactory reliable house wine,’ ‘Refreshing.’ ‘Well balanced flavors. A good wine.’

Jade Springs Cabernet Sauvignon N/V                                                                                 Alc: 12%
Wine-of-Origin: France                                                                                                       Rating: 11.5
                                                                                                                             Price: $189

Clear, ruby red hues. Slight musky, blackberry aromas, which carry over on the palate.  An unpretentious, unwooded, medium-bodied, easy-drinking red wine with a sweet finish.

‘Not bad.  Nothing special.’ ‘Poor. ‘Grandmothers’ cupboard wine.  Wouldn’t even use it for cooking

Grand Boulevards 2004                                                                                                        Alc: 12.9%
Wine-of-Origin: Argentina                                                                                                   Rating: 13.5
                                                                                                                             Price: $199

Light brownish-brick red.  A smoky, peaty wine not really showing mentionable fruits.  Slightly smoky and dusty palate. Good acidity, but slightly thin tannins, causing the wine to be slightly unbalanced with an alcohol burn on the finish, in spite of its low 12.5%.  A dry, medium bodied wine with a good, bold finish.

‘Pleasant, not overpowering. Enjoyable.’ ‘Full of promises, but doesn’t deliver.’ ‘If I had paid for it in a restaurant, I’d be angry.’

Chateaux Grand-Jean Bordeaux Superieur 2002                                                                Alc:12%
Wine-of-Origin: Bordeaux, France                                                                                       Rating: 14
                                                                                                                                                 Price: $259

Old Blood color.  A coffee, herbs and cherries nose that transfers to the palate, but is hidden by the strong tannins. However, the author would like to remind everyone that this is to be expected from a Bordeaux, the world’s finest wine-producing region.  The tannins are ripe and juicy and will soften with a few years of maturation in the cellar, as a good Bordeaux should.  The palate is nonetheless, full, rich and elegant.  Its finish is never-ending, showing a lot of class. Took the gold medal at the London Wine International competition in 2005.

‘Very typical Bordeaux from one of the finest vintages France has had this century.’ ‘Smells nice, but lacks in taste.’

Ernest & Julio Gallo Merlot 2003                                                                                         Alc: 13.5%
Wine-of-Origin: California, USA                                                                                            Rating: 15
                                                                                                                                                  Price: $279

Dark, old blood color.  A very complex herbaceous and peppery nose showing off oodles of berries.  Spicy fruit on the palate with juicy acidity and nice tannins. Well balanced and full-bodied. Tannins are still slightly harsh, but will soften with a bit of aging. 

‘Downright good.  Merlicious!’ ‘Classy and rich.’  ‘Pity about the tannins.’

Torres Coronos Tempranillo 2003                                                                                         Alc:13%
Wine-of-Origin: Catalunya, Spain.                                                                                     Rating:16.5
                                                                                                                                                  Price: $349

Dark burgundy hues sporting plums, chocolate, a smokey, wet forest, mushroom and slight vegemite nose with just a hint of stewed tomatoes, which all feature wonderfully on the palate. Juicy acidity and  ripe, chewy tannins. A full-bodied, well balanced wine with a good, long finish and a fine aftertaste.  A complex, classically-styled wine.  Could be aged, but also drinking nicely now. 

Stylish. Has got everything you’d want.’ ‘Subtle, nice and sneaky.  Like a sophisticated Catalonian Flamenco dancer.’

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