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This is an update for the January 2000 issue.

Tasting Update

Australia (Red)

Recommended by Vintage Assessments
731620 E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 1996                                                        $55.00
Barossa Valley, South Australia                                          Rich & Sweet ***
(Barossa Valley Estates) (250 Cases of 6) [Sel Win]
Very deep purple red colour.  Sumptuous, sweet, raspberry purée nose with lots of cedar and slightly herbaceous notes.  Solid, extracty, very rounded, sweet, fruit driven raspberry-black cherry flavours.  Fine length and quite delicious without too much cedar (the 1995 has more vanilla and perhaps greater intensity).  The LCBO Catalogue incorrectly identifies this as a 1995.  The positive tasting note quoted is for the 1996.  Is it worth 97 points?  Well it sure shows lots of class.

France - Bordeaux (Red)

A Vintage Assessments Explores Selection
96648 Chateau Lynch-Bages 1996                                                               $112.70
5IEME Cru, Pauillac A.C.                                                                   Very Earthy ***
(130 Cases) [LCB Dir]   
Very deep dark intense purple red.  Rather intense, slightly sweet, very earthy baked plum nose with some lime zest and baked black cherry notes.  Well proportioned, well balanced, fairly rich, slightly herbal, baked plum flavours with dry coco powder notes.  

Italy - Toscana (Red)

A Vintage Assessments Explores Selection
480533 Sassicaia 1996                                                                                          $89.00
Bolgheri D.O.C.                                                                                            Elegant **+
(Tenuta San Guido - Marchesi 
Incisa Della Rochetta) (543 Cases of 6) [Whi Age]
Medium deep red colour.  Refined, bright, sweetish stewed ripe cherry nose with some fine red licorice notes.  Well proportioned, surprisingly elegant, dry but austere, dried cherries, plums and red apple puree flavours.  Medium bodied with violet on the finish.  The best is yet to come.