Innocent Bystander

I can't remember where I bought this, but tonight I opened a 2005 Innocent Bystander Shiraz from Australia. 97% shiraz, 3% viognier. It is very good, not aussie like at all, very much in a rhone style. Smoked meat, good acid, red fruit, hint of garrigue. 16 pts. My notes say I paid $14 for it, I suspect I bought it at the Wine Club but not sure. Anyway, if you run across it I highly recommend it for that price!

March Tasting

The March tasting was attended by a few dedicated tasters. They were treated to a tasting that I arranged. My notes:

Wine 1: d ruby, slightly herbal green note, dark fruit. l/m acid, l/m to m tannins, ripe cherry and currant fruit, soft oak, medium finish. This wine is very nicely balanced, a pleasure to drink. 15.5 points,

Wine 2 - very dark ruby, the darkest of the flight. Dark currant fruit, a hint of mint, and soft oak. l/m acid, m tannins, chalky reddish fruit, cola notes, mocha finish. Very good. 16+ points.

Wine 3 - d ruby, purplish rim. Smoky dark fruit, bit of a mint note comes out. l/m acid, l/m to m tannins, herbal stalky note, decent fruit attack but gets a bit thin in the mid palate and this continues on to the fin. 14 points.

Wine 4 - dark ruby. Cool berry fruit, some toast and a bit of stalkiness on nose. l/m to m acid, similar tannins, mix of red and dark currant fruit, cola finish, lovely balance, very tasty wine. Excellent. 16+ points.

Wine 5 - dark ruby. Nose starts off with a bit of that stinky weedy smell, blows off a bit but is still earthy. l/m acid, l/m to m tannins, earthy dark cherry fruit, toasty. Nice balance. 15 points.

Group favourites - Wine 4 was first, wine 1 was second, wine 3 was last.

My favourites - Wine 4 was first, wine 2 was second, wine 3 was last.

As you may have guessed, these were cabs. The first four were 06 California Cabs, the last was an 07 Chilean.

Wine 1 - 2006 Mondavi Napa - $17 at Costco

Wine 2 - 2006 Mondavi Oakville - $28 at Costco

Wine 3 - 2006 Simi Alexander Valley - $18 at Safeway

Wine 4 - 2006 Stags Leap Napa Cab - $38 at Safeway

Wine 5 - 2007 Montes Alpha - $13 at Costco.

The wine prices at Safeway were 30% off with a club card.

I think the two Mondavis at Costco are a great price, stock up while you can.

February Tasting

Maybe at some point I will post January notes! Time is of the essence.

Wine 1 = dark mahogany. Slightly sweet, hint of vanilla, cola. Medium acid, sharp cherry with woody mid palate and nutty finish. Tired but interesting. 14 pts.

Wine 2 - dark ruby, purple. Herbal leathery nose. Med acid, low/med to med tann, med body, nice fruit with a bitter nutty note. Long, slightly oaky finish. 15 pts

Wine 3 - med/deep ruby. Vanilla and slightly herbal nose. Med acid, low/med to med tann, med body, tanns build, a bit vegetal and med fin. 13 pts.

Wine 4 - dark ruby, purple rim. From the nose this wine seems a bit corked, smoky oak comes out. Low/med acid, med/deep body, rich smoky oak notes with a bit of dk cherry, woody. Med fin. The nose bothers me. 12.5 pts

Wine 5 - Inky. Light nose, oak comes out. Med acid, low/med to med tanns, med body, red cherry with med to long fin. Nice balance. 15 pts.

Wine 6 - Inky, purple rim. Light ns, vanilla. Med acid, med body, light fruit and wood. OK, shortish fin. 13.5 pts.

There you go. My faves were 5, then 2. 4 was last, as I think it was flawed. These were definitely not California wines, and received a mixed review from the assembled swines. Better with food, or course.

Wines were:

1. Aurora Gauthier Chateauneuf du Pape 1998, from Todd's vast cellar, approx $25.

2. Chateau Raspail Gigondas 2007, $17

3. Domaine Cecile Chassagne Gigondas 2007 $18

4. Domaine Des Senechaux Chateauneuf du Pape 2007, $40

5. Domaine Constant Duquesnot Vinobres 2007, $23

6. Perrin and Fils Vinobres 2007, $15

Vinobres is a newish appellation in the Cotes du Rhone area, near Gigondas.