GINI Wine Tasting

AC: This night we had 4 cab blend: 2006 Stratus Red, 2003 Hess collection Cabernet Mt. Veeder Napa, 2003 Chateau Phelan Segur Saint Estephe, 2004 1707 Selection de Barricas Almansa Spain. The Hess Collection has easily become my favourite as I find good balance and finish in the wine. Its mouth-feel in the palate and taste is very likable for most wine drinkers, both beginner and experienced 93. Another wine worth mentioning is the 2006 Stratus Red. Despite the well effort in making this as close to a wine in the old world, I find this wine lacks fruit and excitement… leading to my disappointment of what I expected out of one of the more acclaimed winery in the Niagara region. 89

VW: An interesting GINI to compare these wine from 4 different countries. The standout for me was the bordeaux -  Phelan Segur 2003. Maybe I am biased but I found it to be the most balanced. It had a gentle attack but then waves of ripe tannins saturated the palate. It showed the classic structure and mineral from bordeaux. A wine that you can drink all night. 92

The Hess did also show well. Lots of dark fruits but lower in acid. It didn’t have the structure as shown by Phelan Segur so already drinking well. It turned more alcoholic towards the end of the tasting. 90

I had the Stratus 2005 around half a year back, this 2006 seemed to be in the same line. More herbaceous and smokey than the others, some pepper as well. Quite balanced but lacking some substance. Also drinking well now. A good contrast to Hess and showing the cool climate that Niagara has. 89. I’m interested to taste the 2007 when Niagara enjoyed a near perfect growing season.

The 1707 is a good bargain. Nose filled with sweet fruits. Palate is similarly sweet and dense. Full bodied with vanilla oak. Just a little bitterness at the end. This should improve with a little extra time in cellar. Finish is relatively short and not the class of the other 3. But cannot deny it’s high value. 90