'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

[Innkeeper]

Love that wine. Unfortuately the price has not crept but leapt upwards. Oak in reds IMHO is related to acid. Starting with syrah, other Rhones, and malbec which are in the middle of the acidity range, on down to the merlot, cabernet sauvignon, nebbiolo range; oak in moderate doses is good. Even a very acidic but huge barbera does well with a little wood. My love for Easton Barbera to wit.