2018 Altaya Tasting

2017 Giant Steps Chardonnay Sexton Vineyard - huge nose of toast, almost obscures the butter underneath.  Sweet on the palate.

2017 Giant Steps Chardonnay Wombat Creek Vineyard - less toasty than Sexton, tigher, leaner.  Toasty notes came later.

2008 Phélan Ségur - huge coffee nose... Am I drinking coffee or Kahlua?  Sweet on the nose but dry on the palate.

2012 Phélan Ségur - more closed, leaner, with a hint of capsicum.  Very tannic.

2014 Dana Onda - really ripe and jammy, and thankfully not tannic.  More complex than initially thought.  Tannins came out a few minutes later with aeration.

2014 Dana Hershey Vineyard - very fragrant, almost elegant, with notes of spices.

2014 Dana Helms Vineyard - sweet fruit, a bit more sharp, and metallic iron notes.

2014 Dana Lotus Vineyard - more open, with lovely toasty notes.

2008 Beychevelle - kinda closed, dry and tannic on the palate, with a bit of coffee and smoke.

2012 Quinta do Noval Late Bottle Vintage - from 1958? fruity, pleasant, nice and easy drinking.

2013 Quinta do Noval - dried dates with a bit of animal.

2015 Quinta do Noval - sharper, almost banana, really tropical fruit, anise seeds like fennel.

2010 Troplong Mondot - pretty smoky, almost burnt rubber.  Otherwise OK.

2016 Domenico Clerico Visadi - minty and oaky, but don't like the light and acidic palate.

2014 Domenico Clerico Trevigne - nice spices.

2014 Domenico Clerico Arte - eucalyptus, with a bit of smoke, a bit of rubber, and a bit metallic.

2014 Domenico Clerico Barolo - still a bit alcoholic, some fruit here along with some oak.  Relatively light.

2014 Domenico Clerico Ciabot Mentin - strong notes of spices, pine needles.  Very fragrant and nice.

2008 Domenico Clerico Percristina - released 10 years after the vintage.  Fragrant but a little sharp, with a focused nose.