By Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent
Some quick tasting notes on a classic night of tasting wines in December 2009 over my good friend and fellow wine buff’s home. Wil put together quite a spread a brought out some excellent wines that were ready for some serious drinking.
These are in the order we tasted. Among many things; we had ribs, Iberico ham and eel from Spain and great cheeses, sausages and cakes.
**These can essentially viewed as re-tasting of great wines on a great night!
1995 Silver Oak – sweet deep blackberries, crisp, fragrant, good fruit
1996 Hertz Cellars Martha’s Vinyard – Firm and fleshy, fullish body Licorice with a citrusy twist, good tannins surprising
1997 Justin Isoceles – Vert balanced, very supple, black fruits, currants soft entry with rounded mid palate and nice landing on finish
1996 Schafer Hillside Select – Nice nose, solid backberry core, rich and balanced wine chewy and beautiful
1996 Mouton Rothchild – Barnyard, black fruits, peppery mocha, pretty intense seems like it can go a while longer
1996 Opus One – lots of blackberries and earthy aromas, still plenty of oak, full body and clean
1997 Insignia Joseph Phelps – lean, black plums, black fruits and bit of smoke and sweetness
1996 Penfolds 707 – Eucalyptus, bright, dusty, blackfruits and intense
2005 Torre Muga – rich flavors great acidity, firm and rich
