Tag: 2006

Posted on

2006 Anagram (Bordeaux Blend) by Moran Manor

Tonight’s occasion: 2006 Anagram (Bordeaux Blend) by Moran Manor (@moran_manor), Sonoma County, California.

I love an understated wine. This unsuspecting wine isn’t immediately obvious until you take a closer look at the vintage, then take a sip and double-back, realizing this wine is just now showing nicely at 14+ years of age.

Nose is initially shy, revealing an intense but subdued plum, a touch of leather, wet wood and faint spices in the back.

Body is dry, balanced. Bold crisp tannins provide lots of firm structure. Wood notes move forward while plum steps back. Leather fades away and plum takes over the transition to finish characterized by a big bold dry tannic grip on the palate. Subtle hints or black currant, licorice and spices linger on the palate.

This is a Bordeaux style blend made in the traditional style. It is aging very gracefully and showing beautifully right now. A great indicator of the life of this Winemaker’s Anagram signature line. Snag a few bottles of this wine each year and forget about them.

Nicely done!

Posted on

2006 Shiraz by Massena, Barossa Valley, Australia

Tonight’s occasion: 2006 Shiraz (the eleventh hour) by Massena, Barossa Valley, Australia.

Deep rich color. Heavy nose rich with an intense leather and mushroom that hits you as soon as you uncork it. Once it breathes a little, a sweet cherry undertone reveals itself along with even more terroir. A few additional herbal notes I cannot pinpoint linger in the back along with old oak. Wow. The nose has so much going on. A thick, jammy, chewy body awaits. Characterized by a slight acidic prominence, smooth buttery tannins and plum essence. A smooth transition to a graceful finish capped by moderate spice and mild tannic grip.

This wine must have been a massive beast in its hay day, perhaps even borderline unapproachable just on the nose alone. However after 13 years of patience it has had time to fully develop and settle down into a big, bold, beautiful work of art. This my friends is a shining example of Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Well done! 😁🍷🍷🍷

Posted on

2006 Barolo by Lo Zoccolaio

Tonight’s occasion: In honor of MLK. 2006 Barolo, Lo Zoccolaio. This wine is the embodiment of a big wine. Huge earthy nose, mineral attack with very subtle hints of caramel and berries, smooth body and long majestic gripping tannic finish that lasts all night. I am trying to build a vertical but they are rare and hard to find out here. I sometimes get lucky at Total Wine.

This wine means business. Another reminder why I am absolutely obsessed with the Nebbiolo grape and what the Italians have done with it. What’s your latest occasion?