2006 Quinta do Crasto; Riserva Old Vines (Douro, Portugal)
Deep dense dark full bodied wine, brooding layers of flavours but already delivering substance. Promising to reward the patient winophiles with access to cellars but If drinking now, please allow to breathe before approaching. Wine Spectator 92 points; "Aromas and flavors of kirsch, chocolate and dark plum are the hallmarks of this sumptuous Portuguese red. Very silky tannins and zesty acidity carry the long, sandalwood- and cherry-filled finish. Drink now through 2014". 2005 vintage landed 3rd spot on winespectators top 100 wines!! 2006 feels a bit more international in style.
2006 Sacred Hill; Whitecliff Merlot (Hawkes Bay, New Zealand) MOP110 (RM50)
Soft, medium to light bodied red wine. Made for early drinking and appearing past its best at a young 3 years old. Maybe some heat damage as well so did not show well.
OFF-DRY WHITE; NV (non-vintage) Casal Garcia; Vinho Verde Branco (Vinho Verde, Portugal) MOP59 (RM27)
Petulant (lightly sparkling/bubbly), fruity, pale yellow and delicious. Great foodwine or apertif at the price. Drink with sashimi, mussels, clams, lobster, linguini aglio olio or just to get happy. 10% alcohol with barely perceptible sweetness.
SPARKLING; NV Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin; Brut -orange label (Champagne, France) MOP418 (RM188)
Persistent fine and large mouse (bubbles). Pale yellow with notes of yeast, wafer biscuits and apples. IN my taste, a tad more refined but less colourful than Moet & Chandon's Brut Imperial
2006 Niepoort; Vertente (Douro, Portugal)
Dark and dense but already soft and accessible on the palate. Wine Spectator 93 points; "This has a seductively creamy aroma, with luscious flavors of raspberry, red licorice, dark plum and red cherry. Very fresh, lively and well-balanced, with a lip-smacking, spicy finish. Drink now through 2013"
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