may I ask if the tobacco taste is a hint of Merlot? or not always true?
i don't think that it's exclusively to merlot. i've had lots of other wines that had a tobacco note though.
on a side note, i bought a bottle with my gf on a whim and grabbed any random white wine at Bottles & Bottles at Tampines One last night.
I got the 2008 Carrick Sauvignon Blanc from Central Otago. First off, i've never had a SB from CO, usually they're all from marlborough or martinborough but i was keen to try one from a region that is normally more famous or their pinot noirs. the other thing that caught my eye was that 20% of it was fermented in french barrels so that was interesting to me.
on the nose it was very nice, sauvignon blanc notes but not in the fashion of the harsh marlborough types. very floral, peach fuzz, pears and a touch of grass. The slightest hint of oak was a nice touch.
on the palate, however, was a total disaster. the initial attack was quite pleasant but as it moved to the mid palate and finish, it was clear that this bottle was very off (not spoilt, just off). virtually all the fruit had gone what was left was an astringent liquid with a very bitter finish.
it was a big shame because the mouthfeel was good but the flavours were totally messed up...that's some money gone down the drain. didn't even finish 1 glass.
