Winemakers Collection: Cuvée Number One

In today's review spotlight is a bottle of 2005 Bordeaux from the vineyards of Chateau d' Arsac in France. This bottle of is part of what's called the "winemakers collection" an interestly different approach to winemaking in that each year a different winemaker will put his spin on grapes from the same terroir, same vineyard, but from entirely different vintage year.

The winemakers involved in the project each year are among some of the very best in the world and like an artist each one comes with their own unique perspective on the winemaking process. So while there will be no consistency of style and flavor you do have a unique opportunity to take in a number of different impressions off a very similar canvas each vintage. This bottle was the first in the series and already the others are available for purchase if you feel so inclined.

For many the price of admission to experience this "experiment" first hand is a bit on the pricey side of the equation. For many a bottle of wine over $45 far exceeds the bounds of the "everyday-drinker" category, thus causing a majority of the wine-swirling masses to reject this experiment on the grounds that a wine of this type is nothing more than a sheer indulgence.

Be that as it may, I found this bottle of Bordeaux from the Haut-Medoc AOC to be quite good, although it was not made in a style that's indicative of this region [more new world in style]. Now, I've seen a few reviews which claimed that this wine had an over-the-top ABV and that it's over extracted, I think they must have been drinking a different bottle of wine, as the label only purports a 13.5% abv and if that is high or off-putting, I'm not sure I understand the POV connected to that opinion.

Swirly, Sniffy and Slurp: In the glass a hedonistic deep colored, intense ruby leaning toward purple core. The nose is immediately inviting and expressive, with a raft of rich, yet classy cherries, blackberries, and tobacco. After the first splash down you have a wonderfully approachable wine, right off the bat with or without decanting tasting more like a fat-Napa-Cab, than a bottle of Bordeaux [not sure what the point is though]. A soft, dry wine with very mellow tannins that invite early and often quaffing now, but it may reward down the road with a little more time in bottle. A bounty of flavor awaits those who can't wait to uncork this mammoth of flavor and finesse. Ripe cherries, blackberries, smokey elements, bacon-fat, wonderfully
interlaced minerality and pleasing acidity hits in all the right places. I agree with Parker's score on this wine and give a 92-94 points. This wine will not disappoint those seeking a hedonistic wine experience.  I think it's worth the price of admission, an gave this wine a hearty buy recommendation. Until next time sip, long and prosper, cheers!

This paragraph falls under the heading of hmmm what do you think? Well I guess, I'm far too wordy and perhaps I need to edit down my verbiage to a few sentences I'm told that my style of wine reviews is far too verbose and just bloated with insignificant fluff, coupled with my folksy approach on the subject that is certainly not endearing. I guess it's time to take stock of my writing style. That said, todays review has been greatly paired down, from my normal wine review style. But what do you think, I would appreciate any of you my readers insights and or suggestions.