10/99. Bought at the winery, Sep-97, for $33.
Two years since I last tasted this wine. At that time it was a very good wine, but still, the less impressive of all Castel vintages.
We had this wine today, with a simple but tasty mid-week dinner of chicken soup with rice and an excellent spaghetti bolognese.
COLOR: Dark ruby-red with a little paling around the rim.
NOSE: Really nice aromas of flowers and fresh red berries. Reasonably complex nose with a soft touch of vanilla.
TASTE: Semi-ripe fruit on the palate, rounded by the lushness of the Merlot component. Medium-light but finely backboned. Very tasty with a class and subtlety reminding me of a good Bordeaux Cru Bourgeoise. Measured acidity nicely balance the sweetish fruit and the receding tannins.
LENGTH: Medium-length pleasant aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Light bodied, elegant wine with round complex qualities. More than just ample fruit here. Good winyness and perfect balance.
OVERALL: Excellent. Certainly improved sine last tasted. At its peak now.

MARK: 17/20.

BUY MORE? Yes.

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Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.