Simply Super

I love those wine evenings where everything imbibed is superb - one wow after another...
Lets start with the "Great one" - Wayne Gretzky. I don't know how much he actually has to do with sourcing the grapes and actually making this wine, but his Wayne Gretzky Estates, No. 99, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa valley 2005 is very good. Voluptuous style, creamy, intense with a nice acidic edge. Medium bodied, well integrated tannins. Wow. My only criticism is that the finish is a little short. $40.
The Catena Alta, 2004, Cabernet Sauvignon is from Mendoza. Forest floor nose, lots of mossy stuff going on. Initially it's all about being outside - the complete opposite of Cab intepretation compared with Gretzky's wine. With time, the fruit does finally come out - stewed red and black fruits. Complex stuff. Wow. $48.
We tried the Catena Alta, 2004, Malbec again - it seems we come across this wine every 6 months or so. This bottle was medium bodied, classy, silky, with lots of pomegranate fruit. Wow. Worth decanting for a few hours at least. $48.
The Caymus, Special Selection, 2000 is from California. Capital "E" Expensive at $180 a bottle. Well balanced, top notch new world cabernet sauvignon, this is simply super wine. You can't go wrong opening a bottle of this on special occasions (as long as you can stomach the price as well as this nectar!).
Just when you think you've hit the pinnacle, some joker shows up with a bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion, 1995 (thanks, Joe!). Showing its age with a nice bricky colour, this has a cassis nose mixed with a little turpentine. Verrrry smooth, the tannins have softened to become enjoyable. Mushrooms and smoke layer over the red fruit. This is the epitomy of old world elegance. This wine is practically unobtainable from retail at the moment, expect to pay over $300/bottle at auction or from a collector.
















Cheers!!