Here are a selection of some of the other wines we particularly enjoyed at the Torres China 'Taste of the Nations' event (see Taste of the Nations Part I: Torres China Grand Tasting)
2004 Amherst ‘Dunn’s Paddock’ Shiraz, Pyrenees, Victoria
Appearance: dark purple-black, clear rim.
Nose: concentrated dark fruits with a very ‘Christmas cake’ nose (i.e. candied fruits, spices like cinnamon and clove). Strong oak here which balances with the robust fruit well (probably American oak by the smell of things).
Palate: intense fruit, more ‘Christmas cake’ aromas, ripe chewy and big tannins but with enough acidity here to lift the wine. Decent length.
Conclusion: interesting to try some Shiraz from Victoria. Well-made and very enjoyable. Retail 224RMB.
Rating: 18/20
2003 Amherst ‘Chinese Gardens’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Pyrenees, Victoria
Appearance: dark purple to black, clear rim.
Nose: immensely fruity blackcurrant nose with similar ‘Christmas cake’ aromas to those on the above Dunn’s Paddock Shiraz. Strong oak, but this seems to match well with the concentrated fruit here.
Palate: big fruit, very large chewy tannins and pretty good length. Acidity is there.
Conclusion: This didn’t seem as balanced as the Dunn’s Paddock Shiraz, but is still clearly a good wine. Retail 224RMB.
Rating: 17.5/20
1998 Marimar Torres Chardonnay, California
Appearance: medium gold.
Nose: developed, aged Chardonnay with lingering citrus, nutty aromas and some other oxidized smells (from the mellowing oak).
Palate: concentrated palate with more nutty citrus fruits (fruits that were quite ‘warm’ originally). Decent acidity lifts this, though. Good length.
Conclusion: impressive aged Californian Chardonnay. Retail 385RMB.
Rating: 18/20
2000 Marimar Torres Pinot Noir, California
Appearance: medium red-purple, orange rim.
Nose: sweet Pinot fruit (red cherry, strawberry), perfumed but with some development (slight barnyard aromas).
Palate: typical high acidity but this has mellowed and integrated with the rich Pinot fruit. Light on tannins, but they are there and slightly chewy. Good length.
Conclusion: obviously decent quality Californian Pinot Noir. Ready to drink. Retail 441RMB.
Rating: 18.5/20
2006 Hess Collection Chardonnay, California
Appearance: medium green-gold.
Nose: attractive mixture of citrus and melon fruit (‘warm’ and ‘cool’ in expression), light on oak.
Palate: generous fruit, but this is restrained and there’s acidity there.
Conclusion: good quality Monterey Chardonnay. A good deal at 170RMB.
Rating: 17/20
The other Hess wines on show (the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) are also worth trying.
2004 Amherst ‘Dunn’s Paddock’ Shiraz, Pyrenees, Victoria
Appearance: dark purple-black, clear rim.
Nose: concentrated dark fruits with a very ‘Christmas cake’ nose (i.e. candied fruits, spices like cinnamon and clove). Strong oak here which balances with the robust fruit well (probably American oak by the smell of things).
Palate: intense fruit, more ‘Christmas cake’ aromas, ripe chewy and big tannins but with enough acidity here to lift the wine. Decent length.
Conclusion: interesting to try some Shiraz from Victoria. Well-made and very enjoyable. Retail 224RMB.
Rating: 18/20
2003 Amherst ‘Chinese Gardens’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Pyrenees, Victoria
Appearance: dark purple to black, clear rim.
Nose: immensely fruity blackcurrant nose with similar ‘Christmas cake’ aromas to those on the above Dunn’s Paddock Shiraz. Strong oak, but this seems to match well with the concentrated fruit here.
Palate: big fruit, very large chewy tannins and pretty good length. Acidity is there.
Conclusion: This didn’t seem as balanced as the Dunn’s Paddock Shiraz, but is still clearly a good wine. Retail 224RMB.
Rating: 17.5/20
1998 Marimar Torres Chardonnay, California
Appearance: medium gold.
Nose: developed, aged Chardonnay with lingering citrus, nutty aromas and some other oxidized smells (from the mellowing oak).
Palate: concentrated palate with more nutty citrus fruits (fruits that were quite ‘warm’ originally). Decent acidity lifts this, though. Good length.
Conclusion: impressive aged Californian Chardonnay. Retail 385RMB.
Rating: 18/20
2000 Marimar Torres Pinot Noir, California
Appearance: medium red-purple, orange rim.
Nose: sweet Pinot fruit (red cherry, strawberry), perfumed but with some development (slight barnyard aromas).
Palate: typical high acidity but this has mellowed and integrated with the rich Pinot fruit. Light on tannins, but they are there and slightly chewy. Good length.
Conclusion: obviously decent quality Californian Pinot Noir. Ready to drink. Retail 441RMB.
Rating: 18.5/20
2006 Hess Collection Chardonnay, California
Appearance: medium green-gold.
Nose: attractive mixture of citrus and melon fruit (‘warm’ and ‘cool’ in expression), light on oak.
Palate: generous fruit, but this is restrained and there’s acidity there.
Conclusion: good quality Monterey Chardonnay. A good deal at 170RMB.
Rating: 17/20
The other Hess wines on show (the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) are also worth trying.
Labels: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, Amherst, Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Featured Tastings, Hess, Marimar Torres, Pinot Noir, Pyrenees, red, Shiraz, Torres China, white
posted by Wine Dragon
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