Name: Chateau Indage Estate Vineyards, Chantilli
Country: India
Grape(s): Chardonnay, (IWSC – Bronze Award, 1995)
Vintage: 2005
Colour: a pretty golden colour.
Smell: I have to admit the first aromas didn’t speak volumes to me, but then that was me. The aromas were earthy and musky with notes of lemons and also a marginal smokiness to it as well. Wilma picked up a more medicinal scent – sort of like the smell of a band aid. I was confused – put it that way. With the aroma not being a particular favourite of mine I was hoping the taste would take this wine out of the attic.
Taste: This was a off dry, low acidic light bodied flavour. Its flavour spoke volumes of honey blossoms with a green apple hint. There again was that cough mixture tendency. The length was reasonable.
Conclusion: I struggled with rating this wine as it was the first chardonnay I had tried from India and I didn’t want this to reflect badly. I would say this was an OK wine.
WINDEX: 3 out of 10.
Final Comments: Well first impressions from India were not good. I was quite disappointed as I was so impressed with the merlot that came from the same vineyard. In some ways it reminded me of watered down of apple juice. However, it wasn’t disgusting and if you like the earthy, musky type wine flavours you may enjoy this better than I did. Again this all comes down to personal preferences, cos that is what wine drinking is all about.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
2005, Spain, Catalonia, Coronas, Torres, Tempranillo
Name: Coronas, Torres
Country: Catalonia, Sprain
Grape(s): 86% Tempranillo, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2005
Colour: A beautiful intense ruby colur that reminded me of a thin port.
Smell: Yummy, was my first thought and the excitement just to taste at that point was killing me. But I waited a bit because the aromas need to have their own lime light, even if its just for a brief moment. Spiciness was the first level of aromas really elegant black pepper that made me want to sneeze. Then as we moved through the ladder of aromas you could also smell the black berries to give it that fruity sense. Geoff (glugateer member) picked up the scent of chillies. Wilma (glugateer member) seemed to find another level of aromas. She found hints of roses, earthiness and even a yeasty tinge. Interesting, I thought. Different paletes different impressions.
Taste: This was a dry, low acidity, medium bodied wine. With deep prominent flavours of blackberries – a realy fruity consistency. I expected a longer length with this 4 year old bottle but it remained short. The biographers of this wine suggest a long length but this probably applies to a much older wine.
Conclusion: A good wine.
WINDEX: 7 out of 10.
Final Comments: Old world wines have never been a priority with me but I remember trying a varietal of Torres a few years ago so I thought I would give this a whirl. Secondly this was a grape variety that I had always had that was part of a blend and not being the majority of the flavour. I thoroughly enjoyed this grape variety and I would have it again. Very nice
Country: Catalonia, Sprain
Grape(s): 86% Tempranillo, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2005
Colour: A beautiful intense ruby colur that reminded me of a thin port.
Smell: Yummy, was my first thought and the excitement just to taste at that point was killing me. But I waited a bit because the aromas need to have their own lime light, even if its just for a brief moment. Spiciness was the first level of aromas really elegant black pepper that made me want to sneeze. Then as we moved through the ladder of aromas you could also smell the black berries to give it that fruity sense. Geoff (glugateer member) picked up the scent of chillies. Wilma (glugateer member) seemed to find another level of aromas. She found hints of roses, earthiness and even a yeasty tinge. Interesting, I thought. Different paletes different impressions.
Taste: This was a dry, low acidity, medium bodied wine. With deep prominent flavours of blackberries – a realy fruity consistency. I expected a longer length with this 4 year old bottle but it remained short. The biographers of this wine suggest a long length but this probably applies to a much older wine.
Conclusion: A good wine.
WINDEX: 7 out of 10.
Final Comments: Old world wines have never been a priority with me but I remember trying a varietal of Torres a few years ago so I thought I would give this a whirl. Secondly this was a grape variety that I had always had that was part of a blend and not being the majority of the flavour. I thoroughly enjoyed this grape variety and I would have it again. Very nice
Thursday, April 9, 2009
2008 Chilean, Central Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
Name: Sunrise
Country: Chile
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2008
Colour: a beautiful dark crimson colour that smiles when the light catches it…its really pretty.
Smell: This wine has a number of aroma levels to it. On first impressions it speaks volumes of black pepper spiceness but as the aroma develops in your nose you begin to capture fruit hints of black berries and plums. I even picked up a mild buttery scent…this was quite a bouquet of scents.
Taste: This was an off dry, low acidity, low tannin light bodied wine. Its flavours were set in black pepper and black berries. The length of the drink was short but the after taste was delicate and pretty.
Conclusion: A good wine.
WINDEX: 7 out of 10.
Final Comments: I really liked this cabernet sauvignon. It was a pleasure to drink and completely glugable. I would really recommend this. The label spoke of notes of chocolate but I couldn't taste it....I guess it depends on who's chocolate you are comparing the tast with. I think its one of those wines that if you didn’t know what to buy and you saw this brand and grape then you know you were being safe and would happily serve it up at a party. IN addition to that they price well. They are not overally expensive. This is the second variety from Sun Rise vineyard from Chile. I am really impressed with all their characteristics. I look forward to tasting their Merlot and thier Chardonnay.
According to their website this is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenere. The Merlot has a similiar consistency with 90% Merlot and 10% Carmenere.
Country: Chile
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2008
Colour: a beautiful dark crimson colour that smiles when the light catches it…its really pretty.
Smell: This wine has a number of aroma levels to it. On first impressions it speaks volumes of black pepper spiceness but as the aroma develops in your nose you begin to capture fruit hints of black berries and plums. I even picked up a mild buttery scent…this was quite a bouquet of scents.
Taste: This was an off dry, low acidity, low tannin light bodied wine. Its flavours were set in black pepper and black berries. The length of the drink was short but the after taste was delicate and pretty.
Conclusion: A good wine.
WINDEX: 7 out of 10.
Final Comments: I really liked this cabernet sauvignon. It was a pleasure to drink and completely glugable. I would really recommend this. The label spoke of notes of chocolate but I couldn't taste it....I guess it depends on who's chocolate you are comparing the tast with. I think its one of those wines that if you didn’t know what to buy and you saw this brand and grape then you know you were being safe and would happily serve it up at a party. IN addition to that they price well. They are not overally expensive. This is the second variety from Sun Rise vineyard from Chile. I am really impressed with all their characteristics. I look forward to tasting their Merlot and thier Chardonnay.
According to their website this is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenere. The Merlot has a similiar consistency with 90% Merlot and 10% Carmenere.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Chile, Central Valley, Sun Rise, Sauvignon Blanc, 2008
Name: Sunrise
Country: Chile
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2008
Colour: clear crispy lemon colour…..
Smell: A real clean fresh scent, which is light and airy. You get an instant hit of citrus flavours – lemon and grapefruit were my first thoughts. This developed into aromas of nettles, pineapple and gooseberries. But there is another level to this and I could pick up hints of black pepper.
Taste: Very dry and quite acidic. The flavour was more on the light side and was very much a citrus taste. Lemons and grapefruit were very pronounced and then hints of gooseberries.
Conclusion: A good wine.
WINEDEX: 6 out of 10.
Final Comments: Unless you really really enjoy the citrus sharp flavours then I think you are on to a winner with this one. It had all the classic signs of a young Sauvignon Blanc. What you smelt is what you tasted however, I didn’t taste any pepperiness which I picked up on when I was smelling it. I would highly recommend that you drunk this ice cold as I felt that has the bottle warmed up the flavour became a bit denser and the citrus flavour was not so entertaining anymore.
Country: Chile
Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2008
Colour: clear crispy lemon colour…..
Smell: A real clean fresh scent, which is light and airy. You get an instant hit of citrus flavours – lemon and grapefruit were my first thoughts. This developed into aromas of nettles, pineapple and gooseberries. But there is another level to this and I could pick up hints of black pepper.
Taste: Very dry and quite acidic. The flavour was more on the light side and was very much a citrus taste. Lemons and grapefruit were very pronounced and then hints of gooseberries.
Conclusion: A good wine.
WINEDEX: 6 out of 10.
Final Comments: Unless you really really enjoy the citrus sharp flavours then I think you are on to a winner with this one. It had all the classic signs of a young Sauvignon Blanc. What you smelt is what you tasted however, I didn’t taste any pepperiness which I picked up on when I was smelling it. I would highly recommend that you drunk this ice cold as I felt that has the bottle warmed up the flavour became a bit denser and the citrus flavour was not so entertaining anymore.
Monday, April 6, 2009
India, Maharastra - Chantilli, Merlot, 2005
Name: Chantilli – Chateaux indage
Country: Maharashta, India
Grape(s): Merlot
Vintage: 2005
Colour: reddish with with brown tinge around the edges
Smell: very clean, light, fruity scent, very pleasant. 1st hint is black current but on another 2nd level there is a ck ppery scent….very nice. Quite a friendly smell.
Taste: Off dry, low acidity, low tannin, light body and a medium length.
Conclusion: A good wine…one that could compete well with other new world wines.
WINDEX: 7 to 8 out of 10.
Final Comments: I was surprisingly impressed with this wine. I had set myself for sharp, bitter tasting urine which was going to completely unpalatable however, the complete opposite was experienced. This was a very impressive wine. I would happily serve this up at a dinner party. The initial thought of ‘indian wine’ would be a negative set of words but I am sure on smell and taste the drinker would be surprised. This was back on my wine shopping list for round 2 as I only bought one bottle…however, on returning this wine was sold out. If folk have caught on to this quiet surprise then at Dhs. 15 a bottle…it’s a hot seller. Hmm…may be I should keep this too myself. Have bought the Indian white from this same vineyard….I am looking forward to opening that bottle.
Country: Maharashta, India
Grape(s): Merlot
Vintage: 2005
Colour: reddish with with brown tinge around the edges
Smell: very clean, light, fruity scent, very pleasant. 1st hint is black current but on another 2nd level there is a ck ppery scent….very nice. Quite a friendly smell.
Taste: Off dry, low acidity, low tannin, light body and a medium length.
Conclusion: A good wine…one that could compete well with other new world wines.
WINDEX: 7 to 8 out of 10.
Final Comments: I was surprisingly impressed with this wine. I had set myself for sharp, bitter tasting urine which was going to completely unpalatable however, the complete opposite was experienced. This was a very impressive wine. I would happily serve this up at a dinner party. The initial thought of ‘indian wine’ would be a negative set of words but I am sure on smell and taste the drinker would be surprised. This was back on my wine shopping list for round 2 as I only bought one bottle…however, on returning this wine was sold out. If folk have caught on to this quiet surprise then at Dhs. 15 a bottle…it’s a hot seller. Hmm…may be I should keep this too myself. Have bought the Indian white from this same vineyard….I am looking forward to opening that bottle.
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