Tasting Notes

2005 Chateau Ducasse Blanc $12 (750ml) approx. $8 (375ml)
Bordeaux, FR 12.5% abv 375ml Bottle Tasted
A dry table wine from Barsac, in the Sauternes district of Bordeaux consisting of 55% semillon, 35% sauvignon blanc and muscadelle. Offers gooseberry and lemongrass aromas, with some notes of golden pineapple and pear. Musky fruit flavors in the mouth: gooseberry and golden pineapple up front, leading toward guava and lemongrass at the mid-palate. Light to medium bodied- this wine develops a lot of complexity in the glass. Pair with steamed bass or trout, or with chicken Oscar. Mid-length finish of tropical fruits and lime.

NV Ste Genevieve Shiraz
$2 (187ml), $6.50 (4x187ml)
Texas, USA 12.5% abv
Blackberry aromas with some leather, sweet fennel and clove notes. Off-dry in the mouth, with red berry flavors, plum and some cherry highlights. Good acidity to carry the fruit and moderate tannins. A simple, straightforward wine- the Texan answer to Yellow Tail.

2005 McPherson “Tre Colore” $15
Texas, USA 13.5% abv
Opens with black cherry and apricot in the nose, with violets, old leather, vanilla spice and cassis at the edges. Slightly bright acids on the palate, that are almost too much. Plum and cherry flavors through to the middle where oak spices come out. Begins to thin out toward the finish; a blend of 50% carignan, 30% syrah and 20% viognier under a synthetic corks (which means not to age it more than a couple of years after it’s bottled). Apricot hints under berry and rust flavors on the mid-short finish. Off dry at the finish- not a big fan.

NV Mederfil Reggiano Lambrusco Rosso Dolce
$6 Emilia, Italy 8.5% abv
Black grape aromas, very reminiscent of Beaujolais Nouveau, with red licorice and sweet vanilla at the edges. Vibrant fruit flavors, made bright by the carbonation. Plum, dark berry and black table grapes with mild spice. Nice acidity too, but not quite enough to balance out the sweetness. Smoother than many of the Sparkling Shirazes I’ve tried from Australia. Uncomplicated and sweet- which is great if that’s what you’re looking for; a soundly made wine, but not to my taste.