A summary of Oz’s Wine Reviews from October, November and December of 2015.
December 2015
| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve Vintage: NV Region: Champagne France Varietal: Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Meunier Alcohol: 12.5% Format: Magnum Colour: Pale yellow Bubbles: Fine bead Aroma: Green Apple and peaches Flavour: Green apple, citrus and lime Finish: Medium to long Amazingly there were still magnums of this left!! Great NV, one of the best around! |
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| 2 | Domaine Testut Chablis Premier Cru "Montee de Tonnerre" Vintage: 2013 Region: Chablis Burgundy, France Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: Colour: Straw yellow Aroma: Mineral and citrus Flavour: Lemon and citrus with a bit of minerality Finish: Medium to long A very enjoyable Chablis. Surprised how much I liked it! |
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| 3 | Domaine Chappelle St Victor Provence Rose Vintage: 2013 Region: Provence, France Varietal: 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 20% Syrah Alcohol: 12.5% Colour: Light pink Aroma: Raspberries and strawberries Flavour: Berries and green apple with a bit of minerality Finish: Medium to long A very refreshing Rose, would have gone well with the halibut, but we had already eaten that by the time this was served!! |
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| 4 | Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir Vintage: 2013 Region: Bannockburn Otago, New Zealand Varietal: Pinot Noir Alcohol: 13.5% Colour: Bright, deep ruby Aroma: Wild berries and plums Flavour: Medium bodied, berries, plums and subtle spices Tannins: Fine Finish: Long A light-ish Pinot Noir, nicely balanced, great finish. A bit young, should evolve very nicely, hopefully will get to give this a go towards the end of the decade and probably in the next! |
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| 5 | Clarendon Hills Hickenbotham Cabernet Vintage: 2006 Region: McLaren Vale, Australia Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 14.5% Colour: Garnet Aroma: Blackberry and spice Flavour: Full bodied, blackberry and spice Tannins: Balanced Finish: Long Another great McLaren Vale Red, still evolving, another 5 - 10 years and this should be a very special wine. |
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| 6 | Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier Vintage: 2004 Region: Canberra, Australia Varietal: Shiraz, 7% Viognier Alcohol: 14% Colour: Deep Garnet Aroma: Stone fruit, blackberry and pepper Flavour: Full bodied, blackberry and pepper Tannins: Silky Finish: Long A very balanced and elegant wine, can see why it was included on the list of the WEA Favourites for 2015 |
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| 7 | Grant Burge Meshach Vintage: 2008 Region: Barossa Valley Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 14% Format: Magnum Colour: Deep Garnet Aroma: Blackberry, vanilla, dark chocolate and pepper Flavour: Full bodied, blackberry, pepper and spice Tannins: Bold Finish: Long Great wine, still way way to young, this needs at least another 10 years before it hits it peak, probably 15 - 20 in a magnum. |
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| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Arlaux Premier Cru Brut Grande Cuvee Vintage: NV Region: Champagne, France Varietal: 60% Pinot Meunier, 40% Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Alcohol: 12.5% Have had this a few times now and have always enjoyed it. A good go to for bubbles, not overly expensive but still a high quality NV Champagne |
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| 3 | Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Vintage: NV Region: Champagne, France Varietal: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay Alcohol: 12% |
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| 4 | Felton Road Vintage: 2011 Region: Bannockburn Central Otago, New Zealand Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 14% |
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| 5 | Tyrrell's Wines Vat 47 Vintage: 2008 Region: Hunter Valley, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 12.5% A good example of what Aussie Chardonnay should be, not over powering on the nose or palate. Still developing, should evolve into a great wine in few more years. |
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| 6 | Giaconda Vintage: 2001 Region: Beechworth, Australia Varietal: Pinot Noir Alcohol: 13.5% Format: Magnum My contribution to the night, still very youthful. Surprised a lot of people that it was a Pinot, lots dark fruit and berries, balanced with a long finish. Even though it was in a magnum it disappeared way to quickly. Definitely one to add to the must have again list. |
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| 7 | Gambert de Loche Hermitage Vintage: 1995 Region: Rhone Valley, France Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 13% Lots of fruit, nice balance, elegant tannins, long finish. |
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| 8 | d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Vintage: 2006 Region: McLaren Vale, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 14.5% Way too young, but still a good drop. According to some experts the peak of this wine maybe 2030. |
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| 9 | Domaine Henri Boillot Volnay Vintage: 2007 Region: Volnay Burgundy, France Varietal: Pinot Noir Alcohol: 13% Great deep colour, a balanced wine with fine tannins and an enjoyable long finish! |
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| 10 | Domaine Joseph Voillot Les Rugiens Pommard 1er Cru Vintage: 2007 Region: Southern Rhône, France Varietal: Pinot Noir Alcohol: 13% A very structured, balanced wine, nice nose, long finish. Enjoyable! |
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| 11 | Klein Constantia Vin De Constance Vintage: 2005 Region: Constantia Western Cape, South Africa Varietal: Muscat de Frontignan Alcohol: 12.3% What a great wine, my first sticky from South Africa and will not be my last. Love the golden colour, great nose, balanced acid with a long finish. Can't wait to have this again. |
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| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve Vintage: NV Region: Champagne France Varietal: Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Meunier Alcohol: 12.5% Format: Magnum (4 of them) |
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| 2 | Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series Vintage: 2009 Region: Margaret River, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 14.5% Format: Magnum |
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| 3 | Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series Vintage: 2012 Region: Margaret River, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 14% Format: Half bottle (750ml) |
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| 4 | Giaconda Estate Vintage: 2004 Region: Beechworth, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 15% Format: Magnum |
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| 5 | Pierro Vintage: Region: Margret River, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 14% Format: Half bottle (750ml) |
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| 6 | Burch Family Howard Park Abercrombie Vintage: 2007 Region: 91% Mt Barker, Great Southern; 9% Yallingup, Margaret River, Australia Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 14% Format: Magnum |
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| 7 | Burch Family Howard Park Abercrombie Vintage: 2009 Region: Mount Barker, Great Southern 53%, Margaret River 47%, Australia Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol: 13.5% Format: Magnum |
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| 8 | d'Arenberg The Dead Arm Vintage: 2006 Region: McLaren Vale, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 14.5% Format: Magnum Dead Arm is a vine disease caused by the fungus Eutypa Lata that randomly affects vineyards all over the world. Often vines affected are severely pruned or replanted. One half, or an ‘arm’ of the vine slowly becomes reduced to dead wood. That side may be lifeless and brittle, but the grapes on the other side, while low yielding, display amazing intensity |
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| 9 | Hewitson Private Cellar Vintage: 2005 Region: Barossa Valley, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Mourvedre Alcohol: 14.5% Format: Magnum |
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| 10 | Hewitson Private Cellar Vintage: 2006 Region: Barossa Valley, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Mourvedre Alcohol: 14% Format: Magnum |
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November 2015
| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc Vintage: 2013 Region: Margaret River, Australia Varietal: Chenin Blanc Colour: Bright straw Nose: Citrus and passionfruit Flavour: Citrus and passionfruit Finish: Medium Alcohol: 13.2% An okay wine, nothing special, but still a decent drink |
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| 2 | Tapanappa Tiers Vintage: 2007 Region: Piccadilly Valley, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Colour: Bright gold Nose: Balanced blend of lemon, vanilla and oak Flavour: Elegant combination of lemon, vanilla, oak and mineral Finish: Long Alcohol: 13.5% I am not a chardonnay fan, but for Tiers I will always join the bandwagon. Great wine, definitely will have this again (if I am offered) |
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| 3 | Brokenwood Semillon Vintage: 2002 Region: Hunter Valley, Australia Varietal: Semillon Colour: Youthful pale gold Nose: Refreshing combination of lemon zest and lime Flavour: Balanced crisp blend of lemon and lime Finish: Medium Another great Hunter Valley Semillon, as Hunter Semillons age they evolve into something very special, this will be no different. Still young and vibrant, another 10 years and who knows how great it will be |
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| 4 | Terrabianca Campaccio Vintage: 1993 Region: Toscana IGT, Italy Varietal: 70% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon Colour: Dusty garnet Nose: Full-bodied combination of earthy, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas Flavour: Bold blend of eucalyptus and black pepper Tannin: Savoury Finish: Medium - long A great start to the reds, nicely balanced, liked the tannins |
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| 5 | Veglio Barolo Vintage: 1994 Region: Piedmont, Italy Varietal: Nebbiolo Colour: Dusty garnet Nose: Full-bodied, cigar and black pepper Flavour: Complex, balanced blend of cold tea and herbs Tannin: Silky Finish: Long Alcohol: A wine with a lot of life in it, I am still learning about Barolo, enjoyed it a lot. Will be getting more of this if I can. |
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| 6 | Moccagatta Bric Balin Barbaresco Vintage: 2000 Region: Barbaresco DOCG, Italy Varietal: Nebbiolo Colour: Bright deep garnet Nose: Full-bodied spice and black pepper blend Flavour: Full-bodied combination of black pepper, wild berries and spice Tannin: Structured Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 14% Great wine, liked the aromas, full-bodied with a medium to long finish |
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| 7 | Château Saint-Pierre Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé Vintage: 1990 Region: Saint-Julien, France Varietal: 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot Colour: Light ruby, still quite bright Nose: Complex blend of spice, liquorice and cedar Flavour: Balanced blend of cedar and spice Tannin: Silky Finish: Medium - long Full-bodied, has aged gracefully |
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| 8 | Gaja Sito Moresco Rosso Vintage: 2005 Region: Langhe, Piedmont, Italy Varietal: 35% Nebbiolo, 35% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon Colour: Garnet Nose: Pleasant blend of cherry, oak and spice Flavour: Cheery, oak and spice Tannin: Fine Finish: Medium - long Gaja is one of everyone's favourite Italian producers, this was the first time I had tried this wine, a good drop, well worth a try |
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| 9 | Paolo Scavino Barolo Vintage: 2004 Region: Barolo, Italy Varetial: Nebbiolo Colour: Bright garnet Nose: Medium-bodied wild berry and spice blend Flavour: Balanced combination of berries and spices Tannin: Firm Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 14.5% 2004 was apparently a good year for wine in Italy, this wine was evidence of this, another good drop |
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| 10 | Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage: 2010 Region: Nappa Valley, USA Varetial: Cabernet Sauvignon Colour: Vivid deep crimson Nose: Big blend of blackcurrant, cherries, plum and spice Flavour: Balanced blackcurrant, plum, cherries, spice and maybe pepper combination Tannin: Structured Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 13.8% A fairly big red to finish off the red wines for the day. Not a bad wine, but it was not of the same calibre as the other wines. Will have to give this a chance when the company is not as outstanding |
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| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brokenwood Semillon Vintage: 2008 Region: Hunter Valley, Australia Varietal: Semillon Colour: Pale Straw Nose: Zesty Citrus and Lemon Flavour: Lemon and Citrus Finish: Medium Alcohol: 10% Great example of Hunter Semillon, way to young, but very enjoyable. Another 20 years and this will be impressive (hopefully I will get the chance to try it then!) |
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| 2 | Murray Street Vineyards Benno Vintage: 2004 Region: Barossa Valley, Australia Varietal: Shiraz, Mataro Colour: Deep purple Nose: Pleasant combination of black pepper, spice, eucalyptus and mint Flavour: Full-Bodied eucalyptus and mint Tannin: Soft Finish: Medium - Long Alcohol: 15% Smooth, balanced, fun, great wine, really enjoyable, a shame it was my last bottle, as it is still developing. Will have to keep an eye out on the secondary market |
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| 3 | Rusden Sandscrub Vintage: 2003 Region: Barossa Valley, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Colour: Deep garnet Nose: HUGE combination of black pepper, herbal, eucalyptus and spice Aromas Flavour: Full-Bodied black pepper, French oak, herb Tannin: Structured Finish: Long Alcohol: 15.5 Amazing wine. big and bold, continued to evolve in the glass. Definitely a wine that has a lot of life left in it. Only downside to this wine is its price, but when it is offered by a friend, thanks Robert, it would be rude to say no! |
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| 4 | Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste Grand Cru Classe en 1855 Vintage: 1998 Region: Bordeaux, France Varietal: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot Colour: Garnet, dull Nose: Old leather, cigar and spice Flavour: French oak, cherry, cigar, quite complex Tannin: Structured Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 13 The nose of this wine was reserved at first, it quickly opened up, great wine. Generously shared with us by our host Mr / Col Pang of New Ubin Seafood |
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| 5 | Bass Phillip Crown Prince Vintage: 2012 Region: Gippsland, Australia Varietal: Pinot Noir Colour: Ruby, cloudy Nose: Spice, plum and cherries Flavour: Elegant combination of spice and cherries Tannin: Smooth Finish: Long Alcohol: 13.1 Enjoyable wine, good example of Victorian Pinot Noir |
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| 6 | Chateau Le Bon Pasteur Vintage: 1999 Region: Pomeral, France Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot Colour: Deep ruby, still bright and youthful Nose: Pleasant combination of spice, stone fruit and cold tea Flavour: Spice and stoned fruit Tannin: Savoury Finish: Long Alcohol: 13.5 Another great wine, paired well with the Tapas, nice long and complex finish |
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| 7 | Joan D'Anguera Finca L Argata Monstant Vintage: 2013 Region: Monstant, Spain Varietal: Grenache Colour: Bright ruby Nose: Black pepper and spice, very pleasant Flavour: Black pepper and spice Tannin: Smooth Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 14 This wine has become a "go to" wine when at La Ventana in Singapore, I always enjoy Garnacha / Grenache, will look for more wines from Monstant |
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| 8 | Vinyes Domènech Teixar, Garnatxa Vella Vintage: 2011 Region: Monstant, Spain Varietal: Grenache Colour: Bright, deep ruby Nose: A complex perfume of wild berries and spice Flavour: Balanced combination of wild berries, mint and spice Tannin: Smooth Finish: Medium - long Alcohol: 14.5 Really enjoyed this wine, "bigger" than the Finca, definitely a red meat wine. |
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October 2015
| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009 Grosset Gaia Colour: Bright, deep garnet Nose: Balanced combination of herbal, eucalypt, cold tea and mint aromas Palate: Medium to full bodied, red fruit and wild berry flavours Tannin: Silky Finish: Long Alcohol: 13.5% Our only red wine of the night. Would have, of course, like to have had the opportunity to have tasted a couple of vintages. This wine is still quite young, but starting to show how good it will be at its peak. Very enjoyable, just pipped at the post by the 2010 Springvale for my wine of the night. |
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| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 Grosset Adelaide Hills Piccadilly Chardonnay Colour: Youthful, pale straw Nose: Pleasant combination of nutty and lemon aromas Palate: Elegant palate, citrus and lemon flavours Finish: Medium Alcohol: 13.5% I am not a great fan of Chardonnay, but I did enjoy this one. Paired well with the smoked NZ salmon. Only 400 dozen produced. |  |
| wdt_ID | Wine | Photos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 Grosset Clare Valley Polish Hill Riesling Colour: Youthful medium straw Nose: Pleasant with lychee and mineral aromas, plus a slight hint of kerosene Palate: Complex palate, slightly tart with citrus and lime flavours Finish: Medium – long Alcohol: 12.5% Still very young in Polish Hill terms. Expect this to evolve into a very good example of Clare Valley Polish Hill Riesling with another 10 years or more. Glad I have a few bottles in storage so that I can find out. |
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| 3 | 2014 Grosset Clare Valley Polish Hill Riesling Colour: Bright, pale straw Nose: Pleasant citrus and mineral aromas Palate: Balanced combination with citrus, lime and mineral flavours Finish: Medium Alcohol: 12.5% As with the 2012 this is still a young wine, subtle citrus nose, nice balance. As with all of Grosset Polish Hills, one to watch. |
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| 5 | 2015 Grosset Clare Valley Polish Hill Riesling Colour: Bright, green straw Nose: Passionfruit and lychee flavours Palate: Citrus and lemon flavours, slightly sour Finish: Short - medium Alcohol: 12.5% Great wine to drink now, but will develop into, hopefully, a great wine if you have the patience to wait. Which is why having my wine stored in another country is good idea for me, prevents me from enjoying a wine too early! |
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| wdt_ID | Wine | Photos |
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| 1 | 2010 Grosset Clare Valley Springvale Riesling Colour: Youthful light straw Nose: A pleasant combination of kerosene and mineral aromas Palate: An elegant palate with lemon, lime and mineral flavours Finish: Medium – long Alcohol: 12.5% This was my pick for wine of the night. Great balance of the kerosene and mineral flavours that I look for in an aged Riesling, balanced palate with a medium to long finish. What “surprised” me was the youthful look of the wine, for a Riesling with this sort of nose and age would have expected the colour to have evolved from straw and to a golden hue. Great wine and an excellent example of Australian Riesling and specifically Clare Valley Springvale. |
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| 3 | 2014 Grosset Clare Valley Springvale Riesling Colour: Youthful, pale straw Nose: Closed, citrus and mineral aromas Palate: A little tart Citrus, Grapefruit and mineral flavours Finish: Medium Alcohol: 12.5% This wine was overly chilled when it was served, which is why the nose was closed and it was a little tart. As it warmed up the nose opened up, but it was still reserved, looking forward to tasting this wine again as it evolves with age. Enjoyable |
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| 5 | 2015 Grosset Clare Valley Springvale Riesling Colour: Youthful light straw Nose: Closed, citrus aroma Palate: Citrus and mineral flavours Finish: Medium Alcohol: 12.7% I enjoyed this wine more than it’s slightly older sibling, it was not tart, balanced combination of citrus and mineral flavours. I expect that this will evolve into a wine a good as, maybe even better, than the 2010. Can’t wait!! |
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| wdt_ID | Wine | Photos |
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| 1 | Arlaux Brut NV Colour: Bright, pale straw with small fine bubbles Nose: Pleasant nutty lemon aromas Palate: Lemon / citrus flavours Finish: Medium to long Alcohol: 12% This was the first time I have tried this wine, extremely enjoyable. Would recommend giving this a go! Courtesy of Wine Exchange Asia: “Champagne Arlaux is a small family run estate in the tiny Premier Cru hamlet of Vrigny, on the Montagne de Reims. The estate grows just 10 hectares of vines and only grapes from the estate’s own Premier Cru vineyards are used, with a quiet commitment to putting quality first. Arlaux recently topped the list of all NV champagnes as assessed by Wine Advocate, beating all the big names (Bollinger came in second)” |
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| 3 | 2012 Grosset Adelaide Hills / Clare Valley Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Colour: Bright, pale straw Nose: Passionfruit and citrus aromas, very pleasant Palate: Sour, citrus flavours Finish: Short Alcohol: 12.5% I am not an SSB fan, and did not enjoy this wine a bit too sour for my taste. Was definitely better when paired with food, went fairly well with the sardines. |
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Oz’s Wine Reviews
I agree with you on Klein Constantia – one of the best dessert wines overall. And also I have to say that I tasted a few recent vintages of Chateau Montelena, and it never met my expectations, unfortunately.
Must admit my expectations for the Montelena were not high, just happy to try it thanks to the generosity of my friends, so was happy that it was decent
Beat out Bollinger? Need to find me some Arlaux….
Also, at the price it is hard to beat.