WTN: Assorted wines including Torbreck, Banfi, St. Hallet
Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 6:55 amWhile waiting for some pictures to be printed at the photo shop, I wandered into the nearby wine store which had a "Taster's Table" of 6 wines for a bit less than $3.00. With an hour to kill, how could I refuse?
St. Hallet Poachers Blend Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Barossa 2004 - Sweet and gentle. Good attack weakening to the finish. A good thirst quencher.
Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2004 - Heavy, dry, very flavorful but in an overblown way. Some citrus rind. Remarkably long finish. Unbalanced and not a style I like.
Los Portones Merlot Chile 2004 - Comes wrapped in a gimmicky cloth sack. Good, very fragrant berry nose. Dry. Watery finish. Tannic. Lacks flavor in the mid-palate. Yuck.
St. Hallet Gamekeepers Shiraz Grenache 2004 - Good nose of sweet spices. A bit simple but nicely balanced. Dry. Not a bad wine and at a friendly price.
Banfi Chianti Classico 2002 - Roasting meat nose. Plenty of tannin which overwhelms the fruit. Not a good drink. Might get better with time but I'm not optimistic.
Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2004 - Very dark. Lovely nose of sweet spices, toffee and berry. Very ripe, sweet fruit. Excellent balance. Not heavy despite the 14.5% alcohol. Very drinkable with smooth tannins. Very good wine.
St. Hallet Poachers Blend Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Barossa 2004 - Sweet and gentle. Good attack weakening to the finish. A good thirst quencher.
Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2004 - Heavy, dry, very flavorful but in an overblown way. Some citrus rind. Remarkably long finish. Unbalanced and not a style I like.
Los Portones Merlot Chile 2004 - Comes wrapped in a gimmicky cloth sack. Good, very fragrant berry nose. Dry. Watery finish. Tannic. Lacks flavor in the mid-palate. Yuck.
St. Hallet Gamekeepers Shiraz Grenache 2004 - Good nose of sweet spices. A bit simple but nicely balanced. Dry. Not a bad wine and at a friendly price.
Banfi Chianti Classico 2002 - Roasting meat nose. Plenty of tannin which overwhelms the fruit. Not a good drink. Might get better with time but I'm not optimistic.
Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2004 - Very dark. Lovely nose of sweet spices, toffee and berry. Very ripe, sweet fruit. Excellent balance. Not heavy despite the 14.5% alcohol. Very drinkable with smooth tannins. Very good wine.