Below are my notes on the first batch of wines that I have been lucky enough to taste so far in May 2016.
What have you been tasting?
From this batch my favourites are the:
- NV Arlaux Champagne Premier Cru Brut
- 2012 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
- 2013 Amistat Blanc
- 2001 La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial
- 2004 Old Vine Company Barossa Valley Shiraz
- 2005 Bouchard Père & Fils Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot Domaine
The Wine Reviews
2016MayWine01
| wdt_ID | Wine | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name: Arlaux Champagne Premier Cru Brut Vintage: NV Region: Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France Varietal: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Bottle: Magnum Alcohol: % Colour: Pale straw Bead: Fine persistent bubbles Aroma: Bouquet of apple, baked pastry, honey and citrus aromas Palate: Refreshing, dry Finish: Medium Comment: I am a fan of Arlaux, but even more so of it when served from a magnum. The fine persistent bubbles highlight the quality of this wine, the aroma and palate confirm it. Well worth giving this NV a go if you are looking for something new to try, will give some of the better known houses a run for the money! |
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| 2 | Name: Leeuwin Estate Art Series Vintage: 2012 Region: Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: 14% Colour: Golden straw Aroma: Bouquet of peach, lime, toast and flint aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, concentrated, balanced, fresh Finish: Long Comment: Another great Art Series Chardie. This is what all Aussie Chardonnay should be like, attractive golden straw, a bouquet of aromas that is just the start of it, then there is the palate and wonderfully long finish. Drinking very well now, but as I have already found, patience with an Art Series Chardie is worth it. |
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| 3 | Name: Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Vintage: 1993 Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia Varietal: Chardonnay Alcohol: % Colour: Deep golden straw Aroma: Palate: Finish: Comment: Unfortunately this bottle was corked, would have been a great wine. Aussie wines from this period have a higher incident of cork failure, around 1 bottle per dozen, guess this was the one bottle. A real shame |
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| 4 | Name: Amistat Blanc Vintage: 2013 Region: Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France Varietal: 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Grenache Gris, 20% Macabeu Alcohol: % Colour: Deep yellow straw Aroma: Pleasant combo of peaches, citrus and almond aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, rich Finish: Medium - long Comment: Very interesting wine, my first Amistat, believe it is also the first time I have tried Grenache Fris and Macabeo varietals. I enjoyed it, the palate is rich and balanced with a very pleasant aroma. IMHO, it is a food wine, good with flavoursome food, will be interesting to see how it will age. |
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| 5 | Name: Ryme Las Brisas Vineyard "His" Vintage: 2013 Region: Carneros, California, USA Varietal: Vermentino Alcohol: 12.8% Colour: Yellow green straw Aroma: Mixture of melon, apricot and white pepper aromas Palate: Light / medium-bodied, austere Finish: Short Comment: Unfortunately this did not do it for me, felt something was missing. Would be interested in trying the Ryme Las Brisas Vineyard "Hers" which is made in the style of Sardinian wines which I expect will be more to my liking |
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| 6 | Name: Château Petit-Village Pomerol Vintage: 2010 Region: Pomerol, Bordeaux, France Varietal: 73% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: % Colour: Dark ruby red, youthful Aroma: Mixture of plum, cherry and mocha aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced Tannin: Smooth Finish: Medium-long Comment: Not a bad drink, I liked the mocha aromas and flavours, still evolving, so try to wait a few more years before drinking your last bottle. |
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| 7 | Name: Pahlmeyer Vintage: 2007 Region: Sonoma Coast, California, USA Varietal: Pinot Alcohol: 14.9% Colour: Opaque deep ruby Aroma: Pleasant mix of berries and cherry with subtle hints of chocolate and mint Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, smooth Tannin: Savoury Finish: Long Comment: This was a better bottle than the previous bottle I tried. Both bottles were very enjoyable, smooth, balanced, just the right amount of fruit. The difference between this bottle and the previous one was that the tannins were more savoury. Have become a fan of Pahlmeyer wines, can't wait to try another or three! |
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| 8 | Name: Bouchard Père & Fils Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot Domaine Vintage: 2005 Region: Cote de Beaune - Volnay, Burgundy, France Varietal: Pinot Noir Alcohol: % Colour: Deep garnet Aroma: Complex mix of plum, cherry, spice and chocolate aromas Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, complex Tannin: Soft Finish: Long Comment: A very enjoyable drop, liked the complex aromas and palate along with the long finish and soft tannins. |
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| 9 | Name: Château La Serre Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé Vintage: 2005 Region: Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France Varietal: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 14% Colour: Deep ruby Aroma: Combination of blackberry, plum, vanilla, and spice aromas Palate: Medium to Full-bodied Tannin: Savoury Finish: Long Comment: This wine has aged well. Drinking well now, good nose, medium to full bodied with an enjoyable long finish. |
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| 10 | Name: Old Vine Company (Paul Lindner) Vintage: 2004 Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia Varietal: Shiraz Alcohol: 14.5% Bottle: Magnum Colour: Deep crimson Aroma: Enjoyable combination of blackberry, blackcurrant, liquorice and spice aromas Palate: Full-bodied, balanced, smooth Tannin: Smooth Finish: Long Comment: Another great old vine wine from the Barossa. A great example of Barossa Valley Shiraz, great colour, enticing nose, bold, but not overpowering, with smooth tannins and long finish. 100% Shiraz, sourced from three Barossa Valley vineyards that are aged 109, 127, and 152 years. |
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Oz’s Wine Reviews
The Line Up
great wines and oh the champagne!!!!!!!!!!
Will bring you a magnum!
dining like a Roman emperor as usual I see….
Considering you were the guest of honor, I wonder who was the Imperial Majesty that this great selection was provided for?