2009 Liberator Episode 1 'The Bureaucrat'. Swartland, South Africa.
Leon Stolarski £12.95. A
A blend of 56% Chenin Blanc, 22% Viognier, 13% Chardonnay and 9% Clairette; limited production of 2976 bottles.
Nose is heady and full of white fruits, sweet peaches and nectarines, floral characters also coming through, slightly alcoholic though. Palate is lush and full bodied, so much fruit, carries the 14.5% abv well actually; juicy and yet with good lemony acid backbone. Mouthfeel is textured and somewhat creamy (probably from barrel fermentation and lees contact); rich, maybe even waxy / oily too. I dont think its completely dry either, gives an illusion of at least a couple g/l residual sugar. A food wine, demands your attention; classy, excellent.
1996 Crozes Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert, Paul Jaboulet Aine
A-
Such lifted nose, so much currants and berries, some sweet spice too; after some air, it reveals notes of clay, some rusty tones, brine and even iodine (like fresh uncooked scallops). Palate is silky smooth, red currants dominate, acidity still fresh; in all actually feels rather light, which belies its 100% Syrah origin. Mature, drinking well now; will keep, but not sure it'll improve.
2005 O'Syrah, Domaine O'Vineyards. Carcassone, France.
Naked Wines £17.99. B+
Plenty of fruit, touch of green pepper on the nose; definitely some spice, slightly burnt too like freshly laid tarmac. Palate still mainly fruit dominated, darker berries; acidity still there; nice fruit hit at the front, but doesnt carry it through. However, in all, its a very rounded expression. Definitely showed better than the last bottle I had - is this just bottle variation?
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