Perth Area Wine Tasters
Last Tasting
Tuesday 12th September
Angus Bennet of Forth Wines presented some wines from the Torreòn de Paredes vineyard in the Cachapoal Valley in Chile.
Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2005
These Sauvignon Blanc grapes were handpicked in mid-
February 2005. Fermentation took place in 2 different lots, 70% was fermented
in stainless steel tanks and the remaining 30% in new French oak barrels.
These 2 lots were blended resulting in a fresh yet complex wine with a
slight touch of wood. The winemaking involved a long staying of the wine
with its fine and noble lees in order to achieve a perfect balance of
fresh fruit character and the complexity and length of the wood. This
wine was lightly fined for bottling in September 2005.
TASTING NOTES
Bright yellow-gold in color with greenish highlights with a nose that
shows tropical fruits, citrus and a light toasted aroma from the oak.
The palate is intense, vibrant, and complex, its structure is reinforced
by a well-balanced acidity that lends freshness and a long finish.
Chardonnay Reserva 2005
The grapes for this young Chardonnay reached their peak
of maturity in mid-February 2005, when carefully-selected bunches were
hand-picked into small boxes. After a gentle pressing, half of the must
was fermented in stainless steel tanks at 12°-14°C (54°-57°F)
for 45 days and the other half in small French oak barrels. In both cases
the process included periodic batonnage, or stirring of the lees, to ensure
that the fine suspended solids remained in contact with the wine. After
3 months, the new wine was blended and lightly fined for bottling in June
2005.
TASTING NOTES
Bright yellow-gold in color with bluish highlights and a nose that recalls
banana and spices with delicate vanilla, butter, and toasty notes. The
palate is big and fat with elegant acidity and great volume associated
with spices and toast, which lend much complexity and a nice, long finish.
Rosé Cabernet Sauvignon Valle de Rengo 2006
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that went into this rosé
wine come from our own premium old-vine vineyards and were carefully selected
and handpicked at their peak of maturity and health in April 2006. This
rosé is made by the Saignée process in which we bleed off
a portion of the must from our best Cabernet Sauvignon and then ferment
it reductively like a white wine in stainless steel tanks for 30 days
at low temperatures of no more than 12°-14°C
TASTING NOTES
Delightfully bright bluish-pink in colour with a nose recalling strawberries
and raspberries. The palate is full-bodied and off-dry with elegant acidity
and good volume accompanied by notes of fresh red fruit that lend complexity
and a nice long finish. Its residual sweetness balanced by good acidity
makes this wine ideal before dinner or with summer foods or with spicy
Asian cuisines, such as Japanese, Thai, Chinese, or Indian dishes.
Syrah Reserva 2004
The grapes for this Syrah 2004 received a delicate work
in the vineyard, first we did a "green pruning" taking out all
the weak clusters and during the maturation the vines received a controlled
irrigation stress to increase the concentration of flavors, aromas and
color. The fermentation was conducted in stainless steel tanks at controlled
temperature (22º-26ºC); we help the fermentation with micro-oxygenation
to give a better multiplication of the yeast, fix color and to obtain
a good clarification. The wine aged in French oak barrels for 7 months.
TASTING NOTES
Deep ruby-red color with dark blue hues. Complex aromas include ripe red
fruits, raspberries, cherries and hints of vanilla and spices. Concentrated
palate with smooth tannins and a long finish.
Merlot Reserva Privada 2003
This very mature Merlot was fermented with a long maceration
of the skins and then aged in new french oak barrels for 12 months.
TASTING NOTES
Deep brilliant ruby color with dark blue notes. Black ripe fruits , cassis
, chocolate and notes of smokiness that adds complexity . In the mouth
is soft and long with mature and well rounded tannins that give complexity
and elegance.
Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Privada 2003
This wine is the product of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes
selected from our 25-year-old premium vineyards. The vineyard was managed
to produce top-quality grapes by carefully controlling irrigation and
maintaining a well-ventilated canopy so the bunches received ideal solar
exposure. The grapes were hand-picked at their peak of maturity in late
March 2003. The must was fermented under controlled temperatures (24º-26ºC
/ 75°-79°F) and the wine was aged for 12 months in new French
oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
Deep, dark ruby red, almost black, with great aromatic expression. Complex,
with notes of black fruit, plum, and chocolate framed by a touch of fine
vanilla from the oak. Big and elegant on the palate, this soft yet intense
wine is well-rounded and finishes very long.
Don Amado 1999
This exceptional wine is the product of a very challenging
growing season. 1998 was the driest year in Chilean history, which gave
rise to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that were extremely lean yet excellent
in terms of grape health, ripeness, color, flavor, and concentration.
The must was fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 16 months
in new French oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
This bright ruby-red and violet wine shows tremendous aromatic complexity
with elegant notes of cassis, black currant, plum, and vanilla. Harmonious
on the palate, this flavorful wine is warm, soft, and well-rounded with
delicate tannins that provide structure and ensure its potential for ageing
gracefully in the bottle.
Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 2003
The grapes for this Late Harvest Reserve were harvested
overripe at the end of May beginning June. A delicate slow fermentation
and carefully maturation during 14 - 18 months in French oak barrels gives
all the character and identity to this sweet wine.
TASTING NOTES
Golden yellow in colour, with elegant aromas of candied orange and honey,
the sweetness on the palate is balanced and refined. Ideal to serve at
8-9ºC with strong cheese, foie-gras or desserts.
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