Community Tasting Note

Paullie wrote:

Sunday, February 11, 2007 - Alc%: 13.5%
Date Uncorked: 09 April 2006, 6:30PM WST
Decanted: No

Delved into my cellar for my next bottle. Managed to get 6 bottles of the 1997 St George at Auction a few years ago. Coonawarra remains one of my favourite regions for Cab Sav.

On inspection of the cork, it appeared a little dry so I carefully uncorked it. It was a tight fit, so tight in fact that my bottle opener managed to chip some of the glass on the top of the bottle. No leakage was apparent, with the ullage into the neck. I poured the first glass.

Immediately, it was evident to me the wine was in its optimal drinking period. The sediment was thick on the underside of the bottle and the colour was a dark plum, with some strawberry colour as I swirled it around in the Riedel. It did lack that nice thick feeling though.

The nose appeard thin at first, but after 5 minutes in the glass, opened up into a combination of plum, oak, fruits and pepper. Not very well balanced with the colour for me, the nose showed prescence, the colour did not.

My first mouth full (first pour), was shocking for me, there was an immediate tang, topped with excess fruity flavours and no grip. Although the 5 minutes in the glass changed that, and with time the tang subsided as it gave way to plum, fruits, pepper and mint with solid wood and other earthy tones. Grip on the tounge was smooth, not overpowering but noticeable and lasted well after.

I'm leaving half the bottle for tomorrow, to see what else it may develop. But in the short term, I found the nose to be well balanced with the flavour, but for me the colour and feel was off the mark in comparison. It may even need some decanting.

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