Two friends and I held a tasting party last Saturday. Some brief notes:

Chenin Blanc: tasted 4 wines; three were pretty unremarkable. The most interesting was a Domaine de Montrieux 2000 Passerillées Vieilles Vignes (Coteaux du Vendômois): strong nose of honey. Apple and lavender flavours, with a refreshing finish. A bit one-dimensional, however.

Merlot: the 4 reds were in a much higher league than the whites. In order of preference:

- Tatachilla Clarendon Vineyard Merlot 1999 (Australia, 100% Merlot): clearly the WOTD. Very intense nose, made us back away and say WOW! Lots of cassis and spices, black pepper. Very fruity and juicy, full bodied, smooth tannins and a long and very pleasant finish. Well worth the $18,-! Highly recommended.
- Audacia Merlot 1997 (Stellenbosch, South Africa, 85% Merlot, 15% CS). Blueberry and spices on the nose, but less intense than the Tatachilla. Very sweet, but smooth. A good QPR at $11,-
- Raimat Merlot 1997 (Costres del Segre, Spain, 85% Merlot, 15% CS). A bit Bordeaux-like in character. Nice, very close to the number 2 wine. Also a good QPR at around $10,-
- Chateau Reverdi 1999 Listrac (50% Merlot, 50% CS). Not a bad wine, but it faded in comparison with the others. Light bodied, with some vegetal notes.

We finished with a Delaforce 1992 LBV: nice and fruity, good finish. Perhaps not the best LBV, but still an attractive glass of port.