Written by eleanor on January 25th, 2012
Vintage: 2008
Type: Pinot Noir
Country: New Zealand – Marlborough
This was a gift presented by friends from New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand is a region that has Pinot Noirs rivalling those of Burgundy … this one lives up to the reputation. It is a light, lively, fruity red wine that goes well with summer dinners. It is 13% alcohol and easy to drink quickly, so slow down and savour it with your food. This wine was paired with Italian roasted tomato sausages and mushroom tortellini in a creamy basil sauce.
Technical Review
Appearance
Clear, pale Ruby.
Nose
Clean, medium. Characteristics of strawberries and cherry. Some sweet spice, such as Cinnamon.
Palate
Medium acidity. Low tannin. Flavours of red fruit, although not complex. Medium body. Medium length finish.
Conclusion
Very good.
Posted in Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2008, New Zealand, Pinot Noir
Written by eleanor on January 20th, 2012
Vintage: 2005
Type: Bordeaux Blend
Country: France – Bordeaux – Blaye
This is a very nice wine originating from the right side of the Gironde in Blaye, Bordeaux. 2005 was an exceptional year in the region, so any winemaker could have made a good wine (or so winemaker, Vincent Rousselle, tells me) because the fruits were fantastic in that vintage. Drink this with a reasonably meaty meal, such as calves liver with lardons or duck breast with an orange jus sauce.
Technical Analysis:
Appearance: Clear, deep Ruby.
Nose: Clean, medium intensity, aromas of red fruits (cherry), vanilla and oak.
Palate: High acidity, medium tannin, flavour characteristics of cherry, sweet spice, butter (possibly due to malolactic fermentation). Long finish.
Conclusion: Very good.
Posted in Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2005, Blaye, Bordeaux
Written by eleanor on January 15th, 2012
Vintage: 2005
Type: Pinot Noir
Country: France-Burgundy-Givry
This wine comes from a good lineage: it is classified as a Premier Cru from one of the Grands Vins de Bourgogne (a particular, quality plot of land). I had the pleasure of trying the last bit at the end of the work day. This is a very easy drinking wine that would complement a light, spring or autumnal dinner.
Technical Analysis
Appearance: Clear, medium Ruby.
Nose: Medium and clean. Characteristics of red fruits such as strawberries and cherries. Hints of oak and vanilla. Some earthiness and truffle-like aromas.
Palate: High acidity, medium tannin. Flavour characteristics of red fruits and oak. Medium finish.
Conclusion: Very good.
Posted in ED Gold Award, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2005, Burgundy, France, Givry, Pinot Noir
Written by neal on December 10th, 2011
Vintage: 1978
Type: Rioja Gran Reserva (Tempranillo)
Country: Spain – Rioja
On the edge, the colour has matured to a reddish brown. On the nose is tobacco, light oak and a hint of dried fruits. On the pallet is a surprising amount if red fruit, this wine is still going strong! The tannins are completely integrated and the finish is long and supple.
Posted in ED Gold Award, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 1978, Bodegas Riojanas, Gran Reserva, Monte Real, Rioja, Tempranillo
Written by eleanor on December 6th, 2011
Recently we completed the Intermediate Certificate in Wines and Spirits at the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). WSET taught us a completely new and sophisticated way of tasting and evaluating wines and spirits. They have registered this way as the “Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting.” Industry and its professionals also follow this approach.
In the past, we took a relaxed approach to reviewing wines, sometimes (or often times!) using vague, non-technical terms . Yes, this approach was fine, but now we have the tools to provide a technical analysis for the benefit of more serious wine professionals or educated wine lovers. Therefore, from now on, any blog entry of mine (Eleanor) will include not only general impressions and fun commentary of a wine but also a technical analysis component.
So what is this “Systematic Approach to Tasting”? I will not give away everything here because keen readers of this blog should educate themselves and appreciate wine through WSET’s courses too; however, I will take you through the basics:
Step 1: analyse the APPEARANCE of the wine or spirit. For example, is it cloudy or clear?
Step 2: analyse the NOSE of the wine or spirit. For example, is it a clean or unclean condition? Lightly-fragranced or pronounced? What kinds of aromas do you smell?
Step 3: analyse the PALATE of the wine or spirit. For example, is it dry or sweet? Does it have high tannin? How high are the acidity levels? What kinds of flavour characteristics come through? How heavy is the liquid in your mouth (body)? How long do the desirable characteristics linger in your mouth (finish)?
Step 4: give your conclusions. Did you think it was an acceptable or outstanding wine for its category and price point? Remember that you should make your conclusions on a wine by comparing like for like. Finally, do you like this wine and will you buy it again for yourself?
To push your knowledge and appreciation of wine to the next level, I would highly recommend that you consider taking a formal course. You’ll find your journey through wine less daunting, meet like-minded people, learn from people’s careers, and gain greater respect for the science and geography of wines.
Enjoy the evolution of the wine blog! I promise it won’t be too complex!
Posted in Wine | No Responses »
Tags: appearance, nose, palate, Wine, wine tasting, WSET
Written by neal on December 5th, 2011
Vintage: 2005
Type: Red Bordeaux Blend
Country: France – Bordeaux – Premières Côtes de Blaye
Full bodied with blackcurrant and red fruit on the palette. Very smooth tannins slightest earthy Bordeaux hint and an incredible finish. A top wine from a great vintage.
Full bodied and aromatic with notes redcurrant, blackberry and figs. Concentrated black cherry and blueberry fruit flavours combine with soft tannins, long finish
Technical Review
Appearance
Clear, deep Ruby.
Nose
Clean, prominent. Characteristics of dark fruit and spice (blackberry, plum, and cherry) with a hint of oak and vanilla
Palate
Medium acidity. high tannin. Flavours of dark fruit, spice chocolate and cherry. Full body. Long finish.
Conclusion
Outstanding
Posted in ED Gold Award, Wine, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2005, Blaye, Bordeaux, Château Cantinot, France, Premières Côtes de Blaye
Written by eleanor on October 30th, 2011
Vintage: 2003
Type: Riesling
Country: Germany – Pfalz
Rieslings should be able to lie down and age well but this 2003 seems to have prematurely peaked (perhaps due to my storage conditions). Don’t you hate it when London flats get too warm and your sensitive wines react poorly?
Like most older Rieslings, this one has taken on a slight petrol smell. It is off-dry (slightly sweet) and unfortunately does not offer a complex nose. Drink this now if you have any and do not want it to go to waste.
Posted in Wine, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2003, Friedelsheim, Germany, Kabinett, Pfalz, Riesling, Weingut Alfred Bonnet
Written by neal on October 25th, 2011
Vintage: 2007
Type: Beaujolais
Country: France – Burgundy – Beaujolais – Fleurie
This wine is slightly different than your typical Fleurie since it has spent some time ageing in French oak. because of this, it still has the flavours that you would expect with the gamay grape: berries and fresh fruit. The oak adds a loving level of complexity and depth. This is a sophisticated Beaujolais . Excellent effort!
Posted in ED Gold Award, Wine, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2007, Beaujolais, Burgundy, Cuvée Prestige, Domaine de la Madone, Fleurie
Written by neal on October 20th, 2011
Vintage: 2000
Type: Red Bordeaux Blend
Country: France – Bordeaux – Côtes de Bourg
This wine is has a medium garnet colour, fading to a nice brownish colour on the edge. On the nose are blackcurrant, raspberries and dark fruit with a hint of vanilla. On the palate are flavours of dark fruit, cherry, blackcurrant and coffee. Nice long finish. A very nice glass of Bordeaux that is drinking well at the moment.
Technical Review
Appearance
Clear, deep Ruby.
Nose
Clean, prominent. Characteristics of dark fruit, spice, blackberry, plum, and cherry, coffee with a hint of oak and vanilla
Palate
Medium acidity. medium tannin. Flavours of dark fruit, spice chocolate, coffee and cherry. Full body. Long finish.
Conclusion
Outstanding
Posted in ED Gold Award, Wine, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2000, Bordeaux, Château Tayac, Côtes de Bourg
Written by neal on October 15th, 2011
Vintage: 2000
Type: Champagne
Country: France – Champagne
This is a special bottle of wine. Smooth and round with citrus notes and toasty vanilla. Lots of bubbles and acidity, so it will still last some more though it is drinking very well at the moment. The wine is the essence of great vintage champagne. If you can find a bottle buy it for a special occasion!
Posted in ED Gold Award, Wine, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2000, Brut, Champagne, Janisson Baradon & Fils, Le Toulettes
