Pittsburgh Wine Tastings

2004 Hunter Valley Chardonnay, Cockfighter's Ghost

2007-04-29T00:28:00.000-05:00

Cockfighter's Ghost
Hunter Valley, Australia
Chardonnay
2004, $14.49, 12.7%
PLCB Product Code: 28092

Bananas in the nose - sweet like popsicles - and just a whiff of alcohol. Subtly oaked. A hint of tangerine. Expressive and scented. The palate is slightly sour given the inviting nose. Long in the mouth with good structure. Simple, but sound wine, reasonably priced. Flavorful though certainly not exciting, but a functional, crowd-pleasing New World white.

2003 Summerland Chardonnay, Santa Barbara

2007-03-06T01:54:00.000-05:00

Summerland Wines
Santa Barbara, California
Chardonnay
2003, $14.99 Retail Price, $7 per glass at Trilogy Restaurant
PLCB Product Code: 064620

Fresh, floral nose with reserved yellow tropical fruits (pineapple, yellow peach) and a hint of tangerine zest. Good precision and balance with light- to medium weight and a delightful finish. A fine match with hearts of palm & shrimp salad. **

2003 Bourgogne Rouge, Joseph Faiveley

2007-01-12T19:51:00.000-05:00

Joseph Faiveley
Bourgogne Rouge
Pinot Noir
2003, $16.95 Retail Price, $7 by the glass at the Backstage Bar at Theater Square
PLCB Product Code: 058623

Very aromatic fruity nose, predominantly red cherries and raisins. Really beautiful. Initially quite tannic, tempered with a bit of aeration. As the tannins dissipated a bit, the palate seemed more smooth, but also showed a fundamental lack of concentration. A very masuline Pinot Noir (typical of the 2003 Burgundy vintage.)The finish was also rather short. Despite these criticisms, I liked the wine okay, but I think the tannins would be off-putting to most.

2004 Clare Valley Polish Hill Riesling, Grosset

2007-01-06T19:08:00.000-05:00

Grosset
Clare Valley, Polish Hill
Riesling
2004, $26.99, 13.0%
PLCB Product Code: 021860

Earthy nose with fruit that is more exotic and tropical than typical Riesling. Expressive without showboating. Zippy acidity with good levity from front-palate through the finish. Fresh and delightful. **

1999 Chablis Grand Cru la Moutonne, Domaine Long-Depaquit

2007-01-06T18:17:00.000-05:00

Domaine de la Moutonne/Chateau Long-Depaquit
Chablis Grand Cru la Moutonne
Chardonnay
1999, $29.95, 13.0%
PLCB Product Code: 008082

Beautiful nose of grilled notes, a touch of orange rind and mixed green and yellow fruits. The palate begins mellow, balanced and medium in body. The midpalate seems just a touch lacking right now and could use a bit more bang, but the finish is otherworldy, making up for the slight hollowness in the midpalate. The textures is of olive oil and the flavors are of honey, but with a pleasant sharpness. Really nice. Should be best in three years. Probably not a long-term ager, but admirable for a vintage that I find to be more underwhelming than most. Somewhere between pleasantly good to exciting, with just a touch a verve lacking in the middle. If the center catches up or reveals itself differently later or in a different bottle - this might be a real show-stopper. I'm awaiting the rest of the developing bottle in my fridge tonight... [n.b., it's even better, and the middle became more intense with air...] ****