IWC Gold medal, Silver Decanter.

The label claims notes of Boysenberry, Coffee, Kirsch, Menthol.

Well I've no idea what boysenberry is, but I cannot deny that there is a wonderful array of aromas and flavours. Complex is an understatement. I can definitely find violet and menthol. Possibly some blueberry.

However I did find the bitter dark choc finish hard work and desperately dragged the bottle over 5 days trying to soften it. Could be really good in a few years.

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tribs

You're imagining things.

Red wine all tastes the same.

I could handle this if there was a good portion of sweet, ripe fruit to balance and enjoy.

Complexity is fine if its not hard work to drink. I dont recall having had many Shiraz's from the cooler climate Clare Valley.

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Yep, Im still here.

I think yourself and Shez could quite like this as the finish to me was similar to the Katnook FB Cab that you both loved but I found a little bit hard going.

I'm sure it will soften with time. Definitely worth a star if there was a softer finish.

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tribs

I was a little disappointed by the last bottle of FB I had....
one more left to have but am trying to find some decent chilean CS in the mean time

Hi Shez

What price range?

At the lower end can reccomend the Vistasur (2009 was the one I tried) and the Alamos which is an Argie but similar in style to Chile. Both at Majestic.

Moving up the tree the Dona Dominga from WR looks interesting as does the Medalla and Koyle at Majestic. Not tried any of those three though.

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tribs

Cheers tribs, looking around the £7-10 price range
Have given montes alpha, WR valdivieso as well as some genrics
And have the Cousino macul to try

For some reason I'm a bit snobbish on the alamos
Have tried the Chardonnay and malice a while back and other than for price, failed to understand why so many people rate this range of wine
Felt they were a little fruit forward and one dimensional and would rather pay an extra couple of quid for something a little more complex

Appreciate what you are saying. They cannot really compete with the next level up, certainly in terms of complexity.

That said the standard Catena is nearly double the price as is the Montes Alpha. I have quite enjoyed the Alamos Cabernet and Malbec as an easy drinking red with good fruit.

The price we paid for the Montes in Tesco earlier in the year is certainly up there with the top bargains of 2010. For me it is the benchmark for upper mid range Chilean Cabernet. Think I'll open another one soon.

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tribs

I was sorry to have missed that. The latest Montes signature chardonnay is up there as well.
I think Montes is trying to manage his monsters. If he can control them, it bodes well for his cab. He has enough old money in his business to produce wines that should defeat and outclass the newbies.

You guys will kindly let me know, I hope - Thanks

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Duncan

Ordered a glass of this at a restaurant bat last night

Disappointing for me.
Tasted of sharp blackcurrants with some mint leaves
Is this what Tribs described as bitter chocolate?
I didn't get the chocolate but I got the bitter bit

Hi All

Been working away in Wisconsin USA.

Sorry to hear you did not enjoy this Shez. Tart blackcurrant does not sound right at all. The only fault with this was the bitterness, but that was definitely tannin based and like dark bitter chocolate (not to everyones taste). Everything else was delightful, wonderful rich, sweet fruit with lots of layers of complexity. Just a shame about the bitterness on the finish.

I have another bottle, will report when I get around to it.

Their Clare Red available in Waitrose has similar complexity of flavours but without the bitterness on the finish. Definitely worth getting on offer.

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tribs

A small part of roof is being taken off at the back of the house as we speak. The slates are off and some of the old joists - circa late 1880's are not that clever. So you'll be relieved to hear, that I shall be not so productive here for a few days so.

Wood treatment for woodworm as well as repairs. The worm is not that bad fortunately, but there is some crumbling on the face of the rafters, decades of weather getting in...somehow, and faults before in the 1960's I'd say, that were not corrected back then.
I'm also having natural slates put back on the battens, so I have to treat all the timber very well, before the insulation goes in.

One of the big hassles is too avoid damage to the sloped lathe and plaster ceiling below - which is ok, but still fragile all the same - Just like me - it doesn't like being knocked about

It's loads of fun, quite a bit of money, and damn hard work.

See ya

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Duncan