2009 Holiday Tasting brings out the classics, A special Report by Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent

 By Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent

Some quick tasting notes on a classic night of tasting wines in December 2009 over my good friend and fellow wine buff's home. Wil put together quite a spread a brought out some excellent wines that were ready for some serious drinking.
These are in the order we tasted. Among many things; we had ribs, Iberico ham and eel from Spain and great cheeses, sausages and cakes.

**These can essentially viewed as re-tasting of great wines on a great night!

1995 Silver Oak - sweet deep blackberries, crisp, fragrant, good fruit

1996 Hertz Cellars Martha's Vinyard - Firm and fleshy, fullish body Licorice with a citrusy twist, good tannins surprising

1997 Justin Isoceles - Vert balanced, very supple, black fruits, currants soft entry with rounded mid palate and nice landing on finish

1996 Schafer Hillside Select - Nice nose, solid backberry core, rich and balanced wine chewy and beautiful

1996 Mouton Rothchild - Barnyard, black fruits, peppery mocha, pretty intense seems like it can go a while longer

1996 Opus One - lots of blackberries and earthy aromas, still plenty of oak, full body and clean

1997 Insignia Joseph Phelps - lean, black plums, black fruits and bit of smoke and sweetness

1996 Penfolds 707 - Eucalyptus, bright, dusty, blackfruits and intense

2005 Torre Muga - rich flavors great acidity, firm and rich