'98 Phelps Le Mistral

[ddf68]

Powerful nose of sweet oak and ripe fruit. More of the same on the palate. Finish was initially a little bitter and astringent, but that smoothed out with a little aeration. I'm afraid I liked this, which was a surprise because of the vintage and a problem because it is an oak bomb. I may have to start qualifying my rantings about overoaked wines.

The oak, as I said, was sweet and a little spicy, reminiscent of Archery Summit Pinots and the '97 Stags Leap Cabernets. It did not have the butterscotch/vanilla profile or bitterness I usually associate with oak. Is this the difference between American and French Oak?

ddf