NWC – Sept/Oct
A protracted overdue replace on the NWC tastings over September and October, although attributable to numerous causes I missed a number of of the classes.
—
4th Sept was our first try at a brand new theme for the group, wine & meals pairing. The concept you carry a small chew that ought to match the wine. Nice enjoyable and a few folks had made numerous scrumptious issues like gravlax and mushroom tart. Nonetheless it meant I struggled to maintain on high of the wine notes!
A Vrdigny, Sancerre, 2019 was classically excessive acidy with a grassy excessive word. Beneath this primary impression did lie some mirabelle plum and pear however even with this good producer I obtained a contact of caramel on the end suggesting it might have been higher a few years in the past. What’s the other of a love affair? I’ve this with Macon Chardonnay. I nonetheless haven’t had a epiphany. Vaupre, Poilly-Fuisse, 2020 did little to persuade me. Fats, leesy, buttery. Some tropical fruit and butterscotch. Pleasurable for many who just like the model however give me some tight struck match Chardonnay any time.
Concha Y Toro have the total spectrum of wines and the Amelia Chardonnay, 2021 from Limari is one in all their most acclaimed wines not too long ago. It had a few of the character of the Macon, the extraordinary tropical fruits and vanilla however was extra restrained and balanced to my palate, a bit of unripe peach on the palate too. I’d have an interest on this just a few years down the road however at £40+ it’s a troublesome promote.
Montecillo, Rioja, Gran Reserva, 2001 was not a producer I’m conversant in so I assume not one of many larger names from the Rioja purpose. This had turn into fairly advanced, a bit of inexperienced pepper and tomato leaf on the nostril and the fruit had principally evaporated leaving an austere backbone of pepper and herbs.
Paisajes, Cecias, Rioja, 2009 might scarcely have been extra totally different. The nostril was a contact unstable with crimson apples however had some good candy baking spice notes. On the palate there was enormous focus of fruit. Candy damson, a contact natural. A bit a lot for me, one thing in between these two Riojas could be finest.
—
eleventh Sept was a free-for-all blind bottle night. De Montgueret, Samur, confirmed the straightforward drinkability of glowing Loire wine. Creamy lemon curd and a few candy apple, a bit of residual sugar. Summer season quaffing. Kerry Vale Winery, Phantasm, 2018 confirmed that while Rondo is unhealthy when its a crimson its worse when its white. To be truthful it most likely shouldn’t have been aged 6 years. It had fairly a cool vinegar and frozen pea word and caramel on the pack of the palate. Hugel, Pinot Gris, 2020 was typical with a pear drop and grapey nostril, hints of rose water and missing acidity to my style.
I’m a sucker for Lopez de Heredia and this Tondonia 2012 was its typical pleasant self. Cedar and a contact of coconut on the nostril. Maybe a contact of VA. The palate the trademark nice acidity with bitter cherry and a few dried herbs.
Motus, Treloar, 2013 was a extra brooding and severe proposition. 100% Mourvedre finished proper might be nice and this had a stunning ferrous word together with some bacon/meaty notes. A beautiful wine on the £20 and one I hadn’t had earlier than.
—
18th Sept noticed Bordeaux week, for some a spotlight of the vinous calendar however not one I historically stay up for. The whites of the area are underneath rated, or maybe underneath drunk? Regardless I feel they’re fairly constant and we began with 2. Chateau D’Eyran, Pessac- Leognan, 2022 was actually leaning into Sauvignon Blanc with fairly fragrant elderflow and grapefruit notes. Nonetheless a bit of pear drop in youth. Fairly a crowd pleaser at £15. I most popular Chateau de Chantegrive, Caroline, Graves, 2019. Just a little extra semillon in model, some leesy, honey & apricot right here with a pleasant leanness and bitter end. I’d pay the additional at £22.50.
Just a few of our group are Mark Haisma followers and one in all our first reds was an attention-grabbing venture he has been concerned with. Dagon Clan is a Romanian vineyard, this Jar SR, 2016 is their cabernet dominated mix with some merlot. Had it a pleasing blackcurrant and inexperienced pepper word with some suggestion of menthol. Tannins a bit of rustic which was maybe the giveaway we weren’t in a extra ‘premium’ area however in case you might get it at £10-15 it might be a stable buy. Newer vintages are a bit extra I consider.
Meyney, Saint Estephe, 2019 is a wine that has had a rise in profile over the previous few years. As a result of some beneficial critic opinions and a great worth I discover myself with some in my cellar. On this exhibiting maybe my expectations have been too excessive. Though a great wine I questioned if it has closed down a bit of because the nostril was inky and subdued. Numerous construction and oak and never a lot fruit at this stage. The standard is there and tannin was significantly good however not massively pleasurable at this stage.
Duhart-Milon, Pauillac, 2001 was correct old style Bordeaux. Love or hate it it purchased a cedar, heat earth ashtray character to proceedings. Not my model however properly mature and loads of followers within the room. Clos du Marquis, Saint-Julien, 2000 maybe confirmed the higher classic because it had a bit of extra vitality. What fruit there was nonetheless appeared austere but it surely was nonetheless structured with a inexperienced blackcurrant edge.
To complete I used to be pretty impressed with Chateau D’Arche, Sauternes, 2010. The nostril had beautiful fruit of pineapple chunks and passionfruit. palate was a bit extra barley sugar however had nice acidity usually missing in Sauternes.
—
twenty fifth Sept was our AGM and ‘finest bottle’ – it’s essential drink one thing good after listening to the Chairman (me) drone on for a bit. All so good its laborious to choose just a few to speak about.
I had purchased PYCM, Bourgogne Blanc, 2017. A wine that could be a modest stage however given the producer fame retails at £100. It divided opinion. I like the model, struck match discount and such exact, taut steadiness on the palate. Some felt there was not sufficient fruit character underneath this to be pleasurable. Onerous to argue its actually well worth the cash, I wouldn’t (and didn’t) pay £100
It was additionally an attention-grabbing distinction with Carillon, Puligny-Montrachet, 2015. One other lauded producer and the same worth level. This was far more understated to begin with, a clear unexpressive nostril with a bit of citrus fruit and oak. The palate was richer however nonetheless exact, a contact leesy with just a few tropical fruit hints. Carillon most likely profitable the battle of the luxurious burgs.
Onto the reds and I hoped for a bit of extra from the Trevallon, 2006. Once more now retailing at £120 maybe expectations are too excessive however I’ve had some nice bottles previously. This felt a contact ahead a cabernet model that I don’t love. Just a little inexperienced and menthol dominant, some inventory pot and blackcurrant however a contact rustic and dry on the end.
The star wine of the night was a star maker at the least. Burlotto‘s costs have turn into foolish but when you will get them on launch you might be in for a deal with. This Monvigliero from the comparatively poor 2011 was fairly gorgeous. Notably the nostril that had severe complexity. Some basic Barolo rose notes however crushed rocks and olives too. Seductive. On the palate the classic did maybe present because it was a contact dilute but it surely nonetheless had beautiful recent raspberry and blackcurrant fruits and such advantageous tannin.
My perennial favorite, JJ Prum made a exhibiting with Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Spatlese, 2010. It hardly ever disappoints as this was basic blackcurrant leaf and icing sugar nostril. Most good Mosel wines present little petrol chances are you’ll get in youth or from different areas. Palate was the right sweetness and acidity palate with recent granny smiths and a touch of stone fruit creeping in. It will solely proceed to enhance.
—
From Oct we begin our tutored tastings once more however first we had a go to from Edgmond Wines and Preet who has proven his vary of South African wines to the group on a number of events now. I gained’t undergo the notes however take a look at his web site. Specific favourites have been from Villa Esposto. A 2024 Sauvingon Blanc was as removed from the grassy NZ model as you would think about. Extra of a Loire profile, a sensitive stone fruited and mineral.
ninth October I led the tasting. A collection of The Wine Society’s ‘Era Collection’. As a gaggle we’re a fan of the Society who’ve a constantly good vary from day-after-day to the best of wines. This was extra on the moderately priced aspect. As I used to be presenting my notes have been sparse however I’ll spotlight a few favourites. Firstly the Cap Classique Brut, an amazing worth glowing wine from Simonsig. Total hottest was the Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc, phenomenally good worth.
sixteenth October was one I used to be trying ahead to as the main focus was Chianti. I had neglected this area for its neighbours in Montalcino who additionally make Sangiovese however a distinct shut of the grape in a barely totally different model.
For the remainder of October I have to confess a run of my mum’s seventieth Birthday and a protracted deliberate gig put paid to the remaining tastings however for posterity the group had a complicated white tasting adopted by one thing Spanish. Broad themes!
—
