2002 Quinta do Vale Dona Maria Rio Torto

[Scott Kipping]

The Northern Fanatics gathered Friday night at a Pub within walking distance of our home sto sample 3 wines. all poured into a decanter, a couple of vigorous wrist rolls and into Bdx glasses.
2005 Godolphin, very good, some tannic structure which is not always noticeable in most Aussie wines. Tannins were to play a big part of the Friday night wines.
2006 Abeja Cabernet Sauv. Wow was this good, Beautiful black fruit spice with licorice and unobtrusive medium toast oak on the nose. More of the same on the palate with the theme of the night TANNINS showing noticeably through out the palate and finish.
2002 Dona Maria.We all know about the stay away from 2002 vintage in Europe, but I've had some decent 02 Spanish reds, So why not... Nice heavy toast oak on the nose, devoid of any fruit nuances. On the palate it was overwhelmed with TANNINS. Green harsh mind numbing tannins, that persisted into a very long ultra dry finish. After you pried your cheeks apart, your tongue from the roof of your mouth, you could come up for air. It was almost painful to drink, but fun nonetheless to experience this.