Hailing from the Margaret River in western Australia, the Gallagher’s Choice checks in with a crushed berry and caramel menthol fused nose. The soft fruit expands in the mouth distributing powerful mint, chalk, eucalyptus, plum, bitter chocolate, leather, and oak flavors. The finish also packs some noticeable heat with an alcohol content of 13.6%. 90+

[This message was edited by R2-D2 on Feb 24, 2003 at 10:02 AM.]

Nice notes R2D2.

When I tried this last night, it was a little tight, but had a feeling that it might unleash a little more flavor on day 2. I definitely noticed (and liked) the menthol/eucaplyptus notes. This seems to be a prevalent characteristic of Margaret River cabs, or at least the few I have tried.

Cheers,

Otis

Otis, after drinking the rest of the bottle last evening I've lowered my score. While there's a lot going on in the wine, the finish is just a tad too hot for my likes. Hopefully, over time it subsides a bit.

One of 56 wines opened at Otis' house on Saturday. I think this is the wine that Murph (one of Otis' neighbors) said had a "nice nose, great ass and a bodacious set of tatas" when he was describing it to the Lady Vino Me.

It appears that this was one of the bottles which RD took home. Otis had so many half finished bottles that he offered the wine in easy "to go" packages. Here is my note. Dark brooding color. Long concentrated legs. This was a rich and integrated wine with firm tannins. Notes of chocolate, cassis and cherry. 90-91 points.

VM

Murph would just make up terms for kicks, but they were hilarious. I couldn't help but crack up at the end of the night at his "edging" reference.

Murph left his notes in the kitchen. Here is a sampling. I have no idea what he was trying to convey, but I do believe he was over-served:

'01 Cloudy Bay: "Clean and easy. Like my women."

'01 Highfield SB: "Flower-like. Axel Rose"

'99 Guigal CdR Rose: "good - fluffy"

'94 Coltibuono Sangioveto: "Early adoptive. Frisky. Breathes optimally"

'97 Phelps Insignia: "The Zorro of wines"

'97 Vigil Solari CF: "Runs in your mind. The Pest. The Dream."

'99 Woody Nook: "Not restrictive. Peaceful."

Buller Muscat: "I am not drunk enough yet"

In case you couldn't tell, Murph's a beer guy. But I think he should start a wine newsletter for the esoterically-inclined.

Cheers,

Otis