Category Archives: Wine Tasting

Thelema Mountain Vineyards

Leave a reply

Thelema Mountain Vineyards got its start in 1983 when the Webb family bought a run-down fruit farm outside of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The property was vineless until the family planted 50 hectares of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, muscat de frontignan, cabernet and merlot grapes. The Wine Spectator has twice listed Thelema as the top 100 wines of the world.
Muscat de Frontignan 2010, not surprisingly a fresh wine, has an incredibly fragrant scent, with an orange peel finish.
The Merlot Reserve 2008 was Thaddeus’ top gun for the merlots he tasted in South Africa. He described it as “beautiful” with a well-balanced fruit, acidity and tannin that had a surprisingly complex finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 was a riot of blackberry and black currant; of course, deep ruby in color, that left melted chocolate and a hint of cedar to make for a complex wine with great tannin structure that gripped your palate and wouldn’t let go at the finish. A secure spot on the top 10 of South African wines by Thaddeus’ tastings.

Consentino Napa Valley 2005 Cabernet

Leave a reply

Consentino Napa Valley Cabernet 2005

Consentino Napa Valley Cabernet 2005


Jennifer says this cab is a rich blackberry with a touch of cassis and an herbal essence that only a good cab franc can produce. There’s a sweet, woodsy presence, thanks to 30 months in French oak barrels. It’s soft to the palate with a nice finish that flirts with your tongue.
Thaddeus says this has a nose of sweet plum with black currant bursting in. On the palate is a blackberry/dark cherry fruit. It’s very complex and approachable at this point and ready to drink.
This wine was produced in Yountville, Calif., and is a cabernet sauvignon with a blend of cabernet franc and merlot.

Chateau Beychevelle tasting in Hong Kong

Leave a reply

Chateau Beychevelle 2007

Chateau Beychevelle 2007


It was a late-night tasting in Hong Kong at the Sheraton Wineroom in Kowloon where I had my first experience with several vintages of Chateau Beychevelle. The 17th century Chateau Beychevelle is in the southwestern part of France in the Pauillac-St. Julien region, known, of course, for its famous bordeaux wines.
General Manager Phillipe Blanc talked details of the 2001, 2006 and 2007 cabernet-based bordeaux, sharing the characteristics of the wine and specifics of the terroir — a gravel, sandy soil set in gradual slopes.
The Chateau Beychevelle St. Julien 2007, a blackberry and cherry fruit wine with a hint of currants, was a very complex, well-structured wine with good acidity and excellent tannins. This wine will age well for many years. Of all the tastings that night, this one was the best.
The Chateau Beychevelle 2006 was ready to drink now with good structure and depth. A classy wine by most standards.
The Chateau Beychevelle 2001 gives you an idea of how well these wines will mature. The nose had an impeccable bouquet of sweet cherry with good acidity and tannins, confirming ’01’s status as a prime vintage.
Learning about Chateau Beychevelle from Phillipe Blanc was a plus to the great tastings. A visit to the winery is high on the list of places to see!

French Wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Tavel

Leave a reply

Thaddeus went to what he called an “an outstanding wine event” recently that focused on the best wines from the south France. Of course, Chateaunef-du-Pape was a standout and the ’07 will be a great vintage.
The grenache — the workhorse of the wine — had a big, ripe raspberry fruit with excellent spice and acidity. “This fruit was really ripe and juicy, with an acidity that vibrated softly on your palate,” he said.
Hermitage, the wine, is named after the small area is the Rhone valley, which — surprise, surprise — is called Hermitage. The only grape grown there is syrah and Hermitage, the wine, is 100% syrah. The vines face the southern sky to help produce this very classy red wine with acidity and the classic pepper finish. His favorite that night: the 2007 Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage.
Then there was the Armagnac from Marquis de Montesquiou. It’s pricey, for sure, but will cost you less than a very good cognac. He tasted through the portfollio and, of course, the 70-year-old Montesquiou Armagnac was complex with a bouquet of honey and vanilla with a smooth finish.
For summer — yes, we know it’s sadly over and a little late — there are few things better than a great rose from Tavel. Thaddeus call this the best place in the world for rose wines. Period. Domaine La Genestiere rose ’09 was the standout of this tasting because it was juicy, good acidity and finished with some spice. What a great summer wine….for next year! Enjoy!