1 | Wine | Page 413

"It is a fabulous effort from Rampolla. The 2006 D’Alceo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, is a much tighter-wound wine than the Sammarco but it also seems to be holding back a lot more sheer density in reserve. Full-bodied, rich and monstrously tannic at this stage, it doesn’t taste too different than it did when I first sampled it from tank in November 2006! The wine possesses dazzling inner perfume, refined tannins that need time to emerge and exceptional overall balance."

"An under-rated producer. ...Smith-Woodhouse has turned out a port with an impressively saturated dark ruby/purple color. This powerful port is moderately sweet, forward, rich, and full-bodied, with nicely integrated alcohol and tannin." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The Non-Vintage Muscat is darker amber. It offers fragrant floral, honey, caramel, and raisin notes and is slightly fuller in body."

"It exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, stunning concentration and lots of raspberry, cassis, blueberry and acacia flower notes. With plenty of glycerin, sweet tannin, a long, heady finish and 15%+ alcohol, it should evolve effortlessly for 15 or more years."

"Ruby red color, dark chocolate and cherry flavors, subtle hints of oak and a long finish."

"Medium gold. Perfumed and ethereal yet somehow rather low-pitched on the nose, with aromas of flint and smoky minerality dominating. The palate offers outstanding breadth and solidity, with a strong mineral/acid spine enlivening the flavors of meat, spices and lichee. Broad, tactile, powerful gewurztraminer with a resounding finish."

"The wine is a bold crimson red colour with purple hints and a nose with excellent fruit intensity showing cherry ripe fruit with notes of oak spice perfume and forest-floor brightness, evocative of place. On tasting the wine, it opens with a lively red berry palate with complex dense dark chocolate characters and finishes with textured grape and oak tannins."