Eniw Gnitsat
I became impatient waiting for my decongestant to take effect. Plus I was hungry, so I decided to taste this South African Meritage backwards. Behold the reversed tasting note.
Food pairing: Spicy thin crust pizza - There was not enough acidity to compliment the food. Something less spicy would work better - perhaps roasted meat or a beef stew would work better.
- A hybrid of new world fruit and old school earth. Ripe red plums, black cherry and vanilla to start; giving way to smoke, earth and leather. Gentle, rounded tannins come into play in the mid-palate. I enjoyed the flavor but the finish was slightly flabby - a bit alcoholic without enough acidity
- Scents of sweet spice, Blackberries and blackcurrants; coupled to smoke and leather notes
- Black cherry-red fading to ruby red and a distinct caramel-garnet rim
- 14.5% alcohol
- 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petite Verdot
- From the Paarl region of South Africa
Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2002 Meritage ($16)
The Skinny
Sipping before sniffing is an odd experience (especially if you, like me, have a very specific tasting ritual). Upon taking my first sip, I did not expect to enjoy the wine. After the food, I spent more time tasting & sniffing. This extra face time greatly improved my opinion of Carlou's Meritage (pronounced mer-it-age, not mer-it-azhh).
I don't recommend tasting before sniffing. It's discombobulating.
Fun review! Check out my South African wine label collection at
http://www.klatcher.com/wine_labels/20_South_African_Wine_Labels_
Posted by: Johannes | 10 November 2008 at 01:29 PM