My bro-in-law picked up a bottle of D'Arenberg's Galvo Garage, a wine I had been meaning to try for some time, so I decided a little blinded mano-a-mano with a Californian cab was in order (after all, he brought just one bottle...).I am a big fan of d'Arenberg's wines, so it was no surprise that the 2004 d'Arenberg "The Galvo Garage" (Cabernet/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Cab Franc from McLaren Vale) went over so well - bright cherry fruit, subtle floral and spicy notes on the nose, a velvety texture with a tannic bite (the PV, perhaps?) on the palate. A loooong finish, this wine was a touch awkward in its youth but hints at greatness - stick it away for a few more years.
screw top. 14.5% alcohol
Score: 17/20
Price: C$26.95 (LCBO)
The 2001 Arbios Cabernet Sauvignon, a pure cabernet from the Alexander Valley, showed better the last time it was reviewed here. An attractive plummy/pruney nose, with leathery black pepper and oaky violet notes in support, but the first sip was all hot and alcoholly, hiding some lovely fruit and velvety tannins underneath. This may keep a few years, and was a bit better once the alcohol blew off.
cork. 14.2% alcohol
Score: 16/20
Price: US$32.50 + tax (Sherry-Lehmann)
Ok, so I now have at least three California vs. Australia "blinded head-to-head" tastings so far (1,2) - Australia has won all three, and in two of three cases the wine was cheaper than its American counterpart. Statistically insignificant, but trending in the wrong direction...
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3 comments:
Joe,
Someone in authority should make you an honourary Aussie! I've a bottle of the 02 Galvo at home. I will have to try it again. . . I do recall having it on release and the tannins stood out in a very positive way.
Hi Ed - a distinguished panel of tasters, I cannot take full credit, but if you have connections in the Aussie wine industry I would be honoured! (see, I even spell honour correctly...) I think that PV really gives a nice, natural, spicy tannin that oak cannot replicate - will try to pick up some more of this and sock it away (maybe I'll mark off a corner of my cellar as "The d'Arenberg Wing")
I keep trying to drop all of those superfluous 'u's but it just looks wrong:)
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