Wine Reviews
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Sunday, February 5th, 2012
Vintage: 2010
Type: Red Blend
Country: Portugal–Douro
This is a wine that I sampled at the Tesco Wine Fair held at the Royal Horticultural Halls this past autumn. I wasn’t considering buying any Portuguese wines to stock the racks at home but after swirling this wine around and around my glass, it grew on me. This is a perfectly acceptable blend of various regional grapes, appropriate to serve with a basic dinner or selection of cheeses. Tesco describes this wine as, “a deep coloured, rich and warming red wine with aromas of violet and black fruits.” I would not disagree but I do recommend swirling small amounts in your glass for a few minutes in order to encourage aeration. After some minutes, taste it. If it is still highly tannic and a bit sour, just give it a bit more exposure to air.
Technical Review
Appearance
Clear, medium Ruby.
Nose
Clean, with aroma characteristics of flowers (violets, in particular) and dark, black fruits.
Palate
Medium acidity. Strong tannins. Medium body.
Conclusion
Good.
Posted in Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2010, Douro, Portugal, Tesco's Finest
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
Vintage: 2006
Type: Bordeaux Blend
Country: France – Bordeaux – Graves
This is a bottle that came in a Bordeaux sample pack provided by the merchant, Adnams.
Given that this is a Bordeaux blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, I knew that it would be an acceptable bottle to drink.
This wine was aged 3 months in oak barrels and then another 9 months in stainless steel vats.
Appearance:
Clear, medium Garnet
Nose:
Clean, medium nose of red fruit (strawberries and cherries), as well as vanilla.
Palate:
Full-bodied, high acidity, medium tannins. Characteristics of sweet spice. Medium finish.
Conclusions:
Good.
This is a claret that would go well with simplistic, lightly-flavoured, traditional English food, like Chicken and Mushroom pie or Toad in the Hole.
Posted in Wine, Wine Reviews | No Responses »
Tags: 2006, Bordeaux, Chateaux Trebiac, France, Graves
Wednesday, 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
Friday, 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
Sunday, 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
Saturday, 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
Monday, 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
Sunday, 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
Tuesday, 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
Thursday, 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
