The nose is a treat in itself, aromas of fresh-ground medium-roast coffee and black cherries, tinted around the edges with fresh sage. The same coffee-cherry theme shows on the attack, the initial taste, adding hints of cola, milk chocolate and licorice on the mid-palate. Tannins are mild and silky, with
Apples, fig, and a touch of toast show on the nose. On the palate, pears and figs lead on the attack. Moderate oak use (36% new French) adds depth and a deft touch of vanilla without overpowering fruit. Apples join on the mid-palate. There is a lingering smoke over apple
A very moderately priced Bordeaux, particularly for one from the “Vintage of the Century.” It is also still rather young, evidenced by how much better it showed on the second night. The nose shows blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco leaf. The taste on the palate is far richer than the aromas
Color is starting to add some orange-hued brick around the edges. The first whiff on the nose makes it clear that this is more Rhone than Outback, showing blackberries, black olives, and very rare beef. Blackberries and olives show, too, on the palate, with tar, white pepper and a tiny
The nose offers up leather, raspberries, and black pepper. It opens on the palate with leather and raspberry, with a dusty mineral background. It moves from black raspberry to black cherry, then tart cherry, on the mid-palate. Medium tannins and juicy red fruits linger through a mid-length finish. This is
This is a single vineyard, Clos Devant,white Burgundy from Chassagne Montrachet. It is translucent, with a light golden hue. The noise has an apple pie and caramel sweetness with a lovely white flower bouquet. The palate offers up rich flavors, starting with baked apples, adding creme brûlée and Meyer Lemon
The color is very pretty and bright, ruby with a fizz of bubbles. The nose is rose petals and sweet strawberries. This is definitely a sweet sparkler, a fizzy blend of raspberry and strawberry sherbert, with a little rosewater making a floral appearance on the mid-palate. There is a surprising
The color is inky dark with maroon edges. The nose is lightly jammy blackcurrant with a background of vanilla and eucalyptus. The palate is more harsh than the nose. Blackcurrant leads, along with some vegetal tobacco leaf as well a higher tones of mint and eucalyptus. It does not show