Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant 1999

Finally cracked this little baby, a gift from Chris and Dan, open.

I'm loving this wine. It's sensuous and elegant, the sort of wine that rewards slow sipping and contemplation.

An attractive brick red colour of moderate density. There are aromas of rotting flower, red fruits and spice that blend and waft evenly from the glass. The palate continues this theme and delivers its flavours within the context of gentle acidity and resolved, fine tannins. There are a range of secondary flavours in addition to the still-bright primary fruit. This wine shows good intensity of flavour and great balance and elegance. Medium bodied at most, I'm glad to have opened the wine at this point in its life.

Glen Fiona Syrah 'Puncheon-Aged' 1999

My first Walla Walla syrah, courtesy of Chris and Dan.

Really funky yeast characters on the nose, sweet flowers and a bit of VA, the combined effect being sort of like sewage. Nice sewage, though, and quite restrained overall. The palate is more assertive, helped along by velvety tannins that caress and flow over the tongue. Very much fruit driven at this stage, and the fruit itself is attractive in character, if slightly bubblegumish. Medium bodied, balanced acidity, extremely moreish, the mouthfeel a highlight.