Group Tasting 9/01

I know, I'm jumping the gun by a few hours but I have a busy few days ahead of me.

1. Bolla Soave 1998 imported by Brown & Forman $7.99 in Ellicott City Maryland.

Clear pale yellow color. Clean fruity aromas. Almond-like nutty flavours, probably more due to age than winemaker's intentions, some complexity and heft. Relatively short finish. Good for simple shellfish/chicken dishes without heavy seasonings or sauces. 81/100. Drink now.

Note in my travels I did see some newly released 99 Soave, but I trusted the

'aged'. I think bottle age made this wine more interesting. Its a testament to how poorly this wine now sells that the 1999 is just coming into Maryland. 99% of Soave should be drunk young, its a shame that in most of the US consumers never get to drink Soave as it should be

Couldn't find the soave.

Mouton Cadet, I've never been a fan of this, I found it a little thin, slightly tart and erm, sort of narrow, it didn't fill the mouth with flavour, it worked better with some beef casserole than it did on its own. I think this is one of those wines that people who don't know wine buy for friends that do in the hope that they've hit on a good one.

99 Bolla Soave (couldn't get 98)

Pale yellow in colour, lots of grapefruit on the nose & mouth with a slight nutty aftertaste, not much length. It reminded me of a weak Sauvignon Blanc.

Paid less than $10 CDN

99 Mouton Cadet (98 only available in magnum)

Garnet with a purplish edge. First glass I got a huge initial whiff of rising bread dough(interesting), then it disappeared. After that there is some black fruit( plum, cherry) with a taste of wood- reminded me of licking a piece of oak or cedar- not too overwhelming though. Not much else there.

Paid about $12. 65 CDN

Could definately find better for less.

Regards Darko