Featured Wines - February 2002

Bedecked in such a saturated purple robe, and anointed with the regal scents of eucalyptus, black raspberry, plum, spice and new oak, the 1999 Plantagenet “Omrah” could only be of the House and lineage of “Syrah”, or should we say “Shiraz” – the ancient name of Australia’s most noble varietal. While deep, brooding and loaded with alcohol, flavor and power, the “Omrah” Syrah is no despot in the glass. The wine reveals considerable charm in the for...

A suave, sophisticated white Graves, the 2000 Chateau Coucheroy Pessac-Leognon exhibits a creamy, elegant nose. Subtle scents of apple, fig and melon fold into a lovely waft of vanilla – the result of the judicious use of clean, new oak barrels, which Andre Lurton insists be part of the elevage at all of his top estates. Refreshingly dry and carefully wrapped in subtle complexity, the Chateau Coucheroy contains a beautiful pinpoint minerality tha...

The 1999 Fattoria Le Terrazze Rosso Conero reveals an elegant, soft perfume of cherry, rose and wild violet. The scent of this Rosso Conero recalls one of those glorious May mornings when roses first bloom in the yard and the earth seems to exude in a single moment all of the freshness and sensuality of Spring and, perhaps, life itself. Yet, in the mouth, Le Terrazze is rich, warm and velvety with copious quantities of black cherry, cola and subt...

The 1999 Tahbilk Marsanne wears a bright, golden robe, reminiscent of sunshine. The bouquet and palate of this unique, unwooded Marsanne exhibit intense aromas of lemon, honey and peach. And, the familiar honeysuckle and nutty complexity traditionally associated with mature Marsanne have just begun to emerge from the citrus underpinnings of the wine. On the finish, the 1999 Tahbilk Marsanne is long and flavorsome and is balanced with crisp acidit...