Tried and Tasted - this week's Staff Recommendations

Here at Exel Wines we believe it is extremely important for all our staff to have a sound understanding of the wines in our portfolio, not only to become better educated and gain greater knowledge on the different wine styles produced, but also to help us make good recommendations to our customers based on their individual taste preferences. As such, from time-to-time we sample these wines ourselves so that we can provide helpful suggestions to those customers who might appreciate a little guidance.

This week, the Exel Wines team have been tasting:

Domaines Baron De Rothschild Legende Medoc France Bordeaux 2006

Russell Wallace, General Manager

Selected this wine for a staff review as I knew it would be a Marmite sort of wine. The smoky full body will appeal to many but not all. Full and robust on the palate it is the sort of wine you really need to allow a chance to breath in the glass.

Ally Moir, Exel Wines Shop

Very typically Medoc, with that initial dry tannin flavour due to its high proportion of Cab Sauv. However, given a little bit of time to come up to room temperature, and with the aid of my Vinturi [Wine Aerator], I was soon getting the deep blackberry flavours on the palate with a wee hint of liquorice at the end. This is very definitely one for having with food rather than just as a friendly convivial glass of wine with friends (game pie or a lamb casserole). A couple of weeks ago I had the Legende Bordeaux which has a greater proportion of Merlot, and on a purely personal note I preferred the softer overall fruitiness of that. Score: 15/20

Clive Holroyd, Database Manager

Appearance: Deep intensity, garnet-tawny in colour. Nose: Clear and pronounced with initial sherry and acetone softening to vanilla and oak as the wine breathed. Palate: High tannins, medium to full bodied with dried herbs, blackcurrant and hot smoked salmon flavours. Long finish. Conclusions: Very good. Score: 18/20

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager

I’m not a great fan of Bordeaux, although I tried not to let this colour my judgement. 
Colour: Dark rim and pretty dark in colour. Taste: strong smoky taste, bitter cherries, very dry in texture. Food matching: strong cheese.
For my taste, it was too strong and not enough smooth fruit.

Leanne Brodie, Data Administration Assistant

A nice smell, fruity like blackberries I thought, but I found it quite smoky on tasting.

Dianne Barrie, Company Administrator
Appearance: Deep red with a tawny rim. Aroma: At first there are distinct notes of bitter cherries with a hint of beeswax which develop in to stronger aromas of prunes once the wine has been given time to breath. Taste: Strong, very dry and robust earthy flavours of leather/suede, truffle and oak. Waxy in texture. Food matching: Pheasant with truffles or strong chesses with figs. Score: 14/20