2005 Antica Contea Di Castelvero Piemont Barbera

Antica Contea Di Castelvero is a vineyard located in the limestone-clay soils of the Monferrato hills in the south of the province of Asti, Piemonte. This wine has been fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, and has had not oak handling. Here is my tasting note:

Colour: ruby red-garnet in colour.
Nose: light and fresh. vibrant plummy fruit. some savoury characters here as well.
Palate: medium bodied. light red berry and cherry flavours. little or no tannins.
Finish: light and savoury on the finish.
Comments: a medium bodied wine that would suit food.

2004 Chateau Fourcas Hosten

I purchased six bottles of this wine as one of the weekly specials from the local Aldi store. Chateau Fourcas Hosten is situated in Listrac (Medoc) and produces some of the better wines from this region. It is a 2004 vintage which was a good year in Bordeaux, although not quite so good as the 2005. The wine is made of twenty five year old vines, and is a blend of 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Here is my tasting note:

Colour: deep purple-red in colour. good colour depth, but not inpenetrable.
Nose: oak hits the nose first backed up by hints of black fruits.
Palate: elegant, peppery black cassis fruit with fine tannins. a nicely structured wine.
Finish: solid finish; green and peppery.
Comments: nice solid wine that will last a fews years tucked away in the cellar. excellent value for money.

2000 Gilberts LBV Porto

This is the Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) port produced by Gilberts, and comes in a 500 ml bottles instead of 750ml. I purchased this on a whim when I saw it on sale at the local Gall & Gall. This port has been produced by the traditional treading of feet in stone lagaeres (open topped tanks).

Here is my tasting note:

colour: deep, dense red in colour. browning slightly towards the rim of the glass.

nose: lovely big nose of sweet, jammy red fruit.

palate: full bodied and powerful. begins with smooth, spicey red fruit. acid and sweetness are nicely in balance. was a little sharp until the wine opened a little more. some fermented wood in here as well.
finish: long, sweet and smooth. a tad sharp and alcoholic towards the end.
conclusion: this is a nice LBV and good value for money.