BAIRD DOES DALLAS! - Amici's in Carrollton, TX (4/10/2008)

Baird was in town for business so he decided to hook up with a few of the DAWGS on a quiet Thursday night before heading back to Toronto. Wine theme was "Aussies".

Now onto the show...

Champagne as always to get things started...

• 1995 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Blanc des Millénaires - France, Champagne
  WIML93
  
  Tasted April 10, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of dough, pear and apple. Later on with air time the nose took on some lovely of almost pungent aromas of nutmeg, cardomon and other lovely brown spices. Flavors of apples, cherries and a bit of lemon zest on the medium fiinish. Almost bright acidity with a medium to full body presence on the palate. Drink or continue to hold. This is one of the better bottles I've had of this vintages and it seemed to be drinking really well. (93 pts.)

A pleasantly surprising white from down under to prime the palate...

• 2003 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series - Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
  WIML92-93?
  
  Tasted April 10, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Light sulphur notes on the nose up front followed by notes of wet stones and a mix of yellow fruits. Flavors of yellow pears, yellow apples, minerals and just a whisper of creme on the medium to long finish. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink over the short term, maybe medium term if you press it. Pleasant wine. (92 pts.)

Three lovely Aussie Shiraz and one endurance test...

• 1998 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz E & E Black Pepper - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
  WIML92+
  
  Tasted April 10, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of cocoa powder, black cherries, plums and just a tiny hint of blueberries. Also took on some nice perfume notes with air time. Flavors of black cherries, black berries and black licorice. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink now with a little time in the decanter to get it to open a bit. Can continue to be held as well. Nice wine. Score could go up some perhaps. (92 pts.)
• 1998 d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
  WIML91+
  
  Tasted April 10, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of black currants, plums, berries and white pepper. Flavors of black cherries, berries, currants, licorice and pepper. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Drink with a decant. Can continue to hold. (91 pts.)
• 1997 Torbreck Run Rig - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
  WIML93+
  
  Tasted April 10, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Attractive perfumed laced nose with added elements of violets, talc and a mix of dark fruits. Flavors of rich and chewy berries, cherries and light currant notes on the medium to long finish giving added character. Medium acidity, medium to firm tannins, full bodied. Good overall balance. I wish all Australian Shiraz tasted like this one. Pleasure to drink. Drink or hold. (93 pts.)
• 2003 Shirvington Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
  WIML90+?
  
  Tasted April 10, 2008. 16.0% alcohol (yeah, right). Opened and served immediately which was a big mistake. Needs lots of air time. Crimson color in the glass, fairly clear hue throughout. This wine is an unabashed all out assault on the senses. Nose stopping blueberries rush from the glass accompanied by eye watering alcohol levels with masked aromas of roasted meat, florals and lots of black pepper. Huge and jammy on the palate with gobs of blueberries, cocoa and currants. Medium acidity, firm tannins and whatever is beyond full bodied. Can be drank now with an extended decant (it's sitting in my cellar overnight) or continue to hold. I'll likely hold my 1 remaining bottle about 4-5 years to see if it calms down any. Whew! I need a nap now. (90 pts.)

A gift from our friend from the north to close things down for the evening...

• 2006 Lakeview Cellars Vidal Icewine - Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Niagara Peninsula VQA
  WIMLNR
  
  Tasted April 10, 2008. Opened and served immediately. Light yellow color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of oranges, acacia flowers and something I'll describe as "clear syrup". Flavors of oranges with a hint of lychee on the rather short finish. Light to medium acidity, light to medium body. I think I'd drink this one over the short term is my best guess. No rating simply because I haven't tasted a lot of these wines and don't have a proper framework from which to work.

Many thanks for visiting with us over two nights and the lovely gift of Canadian Icewine.