Had 2 very different but very good wines tonight.

The first one was the '02 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9 and the 2nd was the '01 Chateau La Nerthe CdP.

The Shiraz 9 was a smaller version of the '02 Shirvington. I decanted this at 7:30 and took a very small sip of this and noted a lot of viscosity and hot back palate from the 16% alcohol. The first pour was at 8:15. Quite smoothe and velvety for a high alcohol Aussie. The primary flavors of raspberry and blueberry were opening up slowly but surely. By the time the last glass was poured at 10:30 the alcohol hotness was 90% gone and it was really fragrant and sweet with an abundance of cranberry and tropical sweet fruits with thick slow moving lags. The first glass at 8:15 was 90 pts and the last was 93pts. If you re going to serve decant at least 2.5 hours.

While the shiraz 9 was breathing we drank the '01 La Nerthe CdP. Not being a CdP expert I would suggest that this wine needs 3+ years in the bottle. This was quite elegant for a CdP, without a lot of earth. The color was quite translucent but very enjoyable for a current release. I believe that RP gave this 92-93 pts. I would rate it 89-90 TODAY with at least 2-3 more points with some age. I would like to try this again in '06-07. This is a good wine to buy by ther case and hold it.

IW

Life without wine?...... Yeah Right.<br /><br />I believe we have 2 lives; the life we learn with and the life we live with after that.

i think i'll do just that you had recommended.

------
"I'm beginning to think that I have a problem."

IW, you beat me to it. I had this the other night in a restaurant but hadn't got around to posting my notes. Sounds like I liked it a little more than you did.

FWIW, translucent with a deep garnet red colour. Not giving off much on the nose right now. Silky and elegant with plum flavours and a good long finish. Not as terroir driven as other CdP's but delicious with the food at a French Bistro. 92.