NWC – Sept/Oct
An extended overdue replace on the NWC tastings over September and October, although resulting from varied causes I missed a number of of the classes.
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4th Sept was our first try at a brand new theme for the group, wine & meals pairing. The concept you convey a small chunk 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 observe. Underneath this primary impression did lie some mirabelle plum and pear however even with this good producer I bought a contact of caramel on the end suggesting it could have been higher a few years in the past. What’s the alternative 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. Gratifying for many who just like the type however give me some tight struck match Chardonnay any time.
Concha Y Toro have the complete spectrum of wines and the Amelia Chardonnay, 2021 from Limari is considered one of their most acclaimed wines lately. It had among the character of the Macon, the extreme tropical fruits and vanilla however was extra restrained and balanced to my palate, slightly unripe peach on the palate too. I’d have an interest on this a number of 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 cause. This had turn into fairly developed, slightly inexperienced pepper and tomato leaf on the nostril and the fruit had largely evaporated leaving an austere backbone of pepper and herbs.
Paisajes, Cecias, Rioja, 2009 may scarcely have been extra completely different. The nostril was a contact risky with purple apples however had some good candy baking spice notes. On the palate there was big focus of fruit. Candy damson, a contact natural. A bit a lot for me, one thing in between these two Riojas can be finest.
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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, slightly residual sugar. Summer time quaffing. Kerry Vale Winery, Phantasm, 2018 confirmed that while Rondo is dangerous when its a purple 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 observe 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 common 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 critical proposition. 100% Mourvedre finished proper could be nice and this had a stunning ferrous observe together with some bacon/meaty notes. A stunning wine on the £20 and one I hadn’t had earlier than.
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18th Sept noticed Bordeaux week, for some a spotlight of the vinous calendar however not one I historically sit 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 slightly pear drop in youth. Fairly a crowd pleaser at £15. I most well-liked Chateau de Chantegrive, Caroline, Graves, 2019. A bit extra semillon in type, 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 considered one of our first reds was an fascinating 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 nice blackcurrant and inexperienced pepper observe with some suggestion of menthol. Tannins slightly rustic which was maybe the giveaway we weren’t in a extra ‘premium’ area however for those who may get it at £10-15 it could be a strong 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 couple of years. As a consequence of some beneficial critic evaluations and a superb worth I discover myself with some in my cellar. On this displaying maybe my expectations have been too excessive. Though a superb wine I puzzled if it has closed down slightly because the nostril was inky and subdued. Loads of construction and oak and never a lot fruit at this stage. The standard is there and tannin was notably good however not massively gratifying at this stage.
Duhart-Milon, Pauillac, 2001 was correct old-fashioned Bordeaux. Love or hate it it purchased a cedar, heat earth ashtray character to proceedings. Not my type however properly mature and loads of followers within the room. Clos du Marquis, Saint-Julien, 2000 maybe confirmed the higher classic because it had slightly extra power. What fruit there was nonetheless appeared austere nevertheless it 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.
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twenty fifth Sept was our AGM and ‘finest bottle’ – it is advisable to drink one thing good after listening to the Chairman (me) drone on for a bit. All so good its onerous to choose a number of to speak about.
I had purchased PYCM, Bourgogne Blanc, 2017. A wine that could be a modest degree however given the producer repute retails at £100. It divided opinion. I like the type, struck match discount and such exact, taut stability on the palate. Some felt there was not sufficient fruit character underneath this to be gratifying. Laborious to argue its actually definitely worth the cash, I wouldn’t (and didn’t) pay £100
It was additionally an fascinating distinction with Carillon, Puligny-Montrachet, 2015. One other lauded producer and an analogous worth level. This was way more understated to start out with, a clear unexpressive nostril with slightly citrus fruit and oak. The palate was richer however nonetheless exact, a contact leesy with a number of tropical fruit hints. Carillon most likely profitable the battle of the luxurious burgs.
Onto the reds and I hoped for slightly 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 type that I don’t love. A bit 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 no less than. Burlotto‘s costs have turn into foolish but when you may 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 critical 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 nevertheless it nonetheless had beautiful recent raspberry and blackcurrant fruits and such superb tannin.
My perennial favorite, JJ Prum made a displaying 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. This may solely proceed to enhance.
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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 received’t undergo the notes however try his web site. Specific favourites have been from Villa Esposto. A 2024 Sauvingon Blanc was as removed from the grassy NZ model as you can 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 ‘Technology Collection’. As a gaggle we’re a fan of the Society who’ve a constantly good vary from every single day to the best of wines. This was extra on the fairly priced facet. 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. General 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 special shut of the grape in a barely completely different type.
For the remainder of October I have to confess a run of my mum’s seventieth Birthday and an extended 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!
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