Petaluma Coonawarra 2000

Date: 24 June 2006

The burgundy (see previous post Corton-Renardes 97) was a bit weak for the US rib-eye main so the Petaluma Coonawarra was called to service. This is a 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot mix, matured in oak cask for 18 months prior to bottling without filtering. Color was deep red with aromas of chocolate, mint and fruit. Medium to full bodied with plum, spice and hint of oak. I tried this wine with Chinese food before but it failed to impress. This time round, the Coonawarra was a perfect match for the steak.

Despite similar appearances, the Elise in the photo is a completely different car compared to the Exige I reviewed a few weeks ago.

Rating: good

Pierre Andre Corton-Renardes 1997

Date: 24 June 2006

Medium red with floral and fruity aroma. Light bodied, currant and berry flavours with hint of smokiness and mild tannin. Went well with green salad but was overpowered by the rib-eye main dish.

Rating: average

La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion 1999

Date: 21 June 2006

Smoky aroma with a slightly leathery, black currant flavour. This second wine of La Mission was ready to drink. Decanting and airing wasn't necessary. It went quite well with seafood and the finish was satisfactory. At probably a quarter the price of Haut-Brion, this is not a bad sampling from Graves.

Rating: average

Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Date: 18 June 2006

The Santa Carolina "Barrica Selection" is the wine of the month of the boat club. This Chilean cabernet sauvignon was supposed to have aged for 12 months in small, French oak barrels hence the nomenclature. The smoky oak aroma was quite obvious with tints of plum and peppermint. Medium body with some spiciness. Satisfactory finish.

Rating: average

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis 2001

Date: 12 June 2006
Venue: Clarence's Place

I was offered a choice of Clos du Marquis 1998(second wine of Leoville Las Cases) or Stag's Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 to go with the evening meal. As I have tried Las Cases many times in the past, I thought I'd give this Napa Valley red a try.

The wine was served straight from the wine-fridge without decanting. Despite the sub-normal temperature, floral bouquet with deep concentrated fruit was immediately evident. The first mouthful revealed a rich round palate with hints of chocolate and spice, finishing off with smooth ripe tannins. As the wine breathed and warmed, it continued to improve and developed a creamy character.

This Napa cabernet went well with the steak and lamb chops which Clarence cooked with TLC.

Rating: good

Vieux Chateau Certan 1986

Date: 4 June 2006

Beautifully structured Pomerol with fragrance of rose and plum. The oak was quietly in the background, not overpowering the fruit. No evidence of brett which may disappoint Parker disciples. I tried the 82 vintage of VCC a while back, the 86 sample is on a par, if not slightly better.

Rating: excellent