NWC – twenty eighth Feb – Bottles in reminiscence
Very sadly considered one of our members handed away this 12 months and on Weds night we gathered, bringing bottles that reminded us of our departed pal. We loved and shared reminiscences over 20 wines, too many to incorporate each bottle this week however I needed to share a number of highlights
Erdener Spatlese, 2014 Dr Hermann. I haven’t had the chance to put in writing about a lot Riesling but and Dr Hermann is a really underrated and nice worth producer. I visited him final 12 months and primarily based in Erden his winery appears to be like throughout to an incredible side and his monopole, Herzlei. This 2014, Spatlese was from that very slope and had a fabulously intense tropical fruit nostril. I favor the extra ethereal model of Riesling however a lot to like right here with some candy apple on the entrance of the palate giving technique to peach and guava while retaining nice acidity.
Gravonia, 2014. Lopez de Heredia stay a producer you possibly can’t go flawed with from their entry degree Cubillo to Tondonia and Bosconia. The white gravonia is now £35 however brings a lot enjoyment with its oxidative notes and nutty complexity. With youthful bottles like this 2014 you’re reminded how a lot freshness and stone fruit there will be behind the extra apparent tertiary character.
As our member had been a lover of Rhone wines there have been few mild reds however one was excellent, a 1988 Grivot Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots. A producer that does historically want a while this had some mild cranberry crimson fruits alongside baking spices and a contact of a beef inventory be aware. The palate was nonetheless vibrant, some elegant wild strawberry melding with extra a savoury, umami that was in actual steadiness and concord.
A wine I won’t have anticipated to characteristic was Le Difese, 2021, a entry degree tremendous Tuscan from the Sassicaia property. Due to the costs of many from this space I’ve loved a number of bottles from the large names however by no means thought of shopping for them myself. Initially I believed this could possibly be a Brunello and whereas often the mix was Cab Sauv dominated, on this classic it was principally Sangiovese. Cherry and balsamic notes gave it an unmistakably Italian profile with some dry tannins, which I like in my Sangiovese.
Cote-Rotie, 2011, Clusel Roch. This can be a Domaine I’ve purchased from that sits a little bit beneath the costs of massive names of the realm like Rostaing, Jamet and Ogier. That is their entry degree wine however in current vintages hasn’t made an look that I can see, which was a disgrace as a result of this was consuming very properly. There was one thing a contact ferrous on the nostril alongside some damson and usually an awesome power and depth that carried by way of to the palate. Loads of time left forward of it with a juicy blackberry palate however already sufficient age the place there may be steadiness and oak integration.
1995, Eileen Hardy Shiraz, Hardys. I’m usually unfairly dismissive of Aussie Shiraz however this was probably the most satisfying bottles I’ve had. There was a little bit mustiness of the nostril that blew off to point out some menthol and natural notes although I didn’t get a lot eucalyptus. Extremely contemporary and concentrated, extra menthol alongside blackberry and a contact of dried fruit and raisin/prune.
Bandol, La Tourtine, Tempier, 2001. I mentioned someplace not too long ago I don’t suppose I’ve had a nasty bottle from Tempier and I stand by that. Candy forest fruits on the nostril disclose to a contact of tomato and bacon fats. The steadiness of the wine to be highly effective, fruit pushed however nonetheless get loads of oak affect is kind of beautiful. I would like to purchase extra once I can.
Cavendish, Vin de Liqueur, 1949. A tawny ‘port’ from South Africa this spent 30 years in barrel and has been one other 40+ in a cellar. Wonderful life on this regardless of the age, a massively complicated nostril of chocolate, espresso, raisin and flecks of soy. The palate was macadamia nut and extra espresso with a lightness of orange peel peaking although. Unimaginable size and a privilege to have the ability to attempt.
