NWC – Sept/Oct
An extended overdue replace on the NWC tastings over September and October, although as a consequence of numerous causes I missed a number of of the periods.
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4th Sept was our first try at a brand new theme for the group, wine & meals pairing. The concept you deliver a small chew that ought to match the wine. Nice enjoyable and a few folks had made a number of scrumptious issues like gravlax and mushroom tart. Nevertheless it meant I struggled to maintain on high of the wine notes!
A Vrdigny, Sancerre, 2019 was classically excessive acidy with a grassy excessive be aware. 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 could 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. Fulfilling for individuals 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 one in every of their most acclaimed wines not too long ago. It had among the character of the Macon, the extreme tropical fruits and vanilla however was extra restrained and balanced to my palate, just a little 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 acquainted with so I assume not one of many greater names from the Rioja motive. This had develop into fairly developed, just a little 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 may scarcely have been extra completely different. The nostril was a contact unstable with pink 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 can be finest.
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eleventh Sept was a free-for-all blind bottle night. De Montgueret, Samur, confirmed the easy drinkability of glowing Loire wine. Creamy lemon curd and a few candy apple, just a little residual sugar. Summer season quaffing. Kerry Vale Winery, Phantasm, 2018 confirmed that while Rondo is dangerous when its a pink its worse when its white. To be honest it in all probability shouldn’t have been aged 6 years. It had fairly a cool vinegar and frozen pea be aware 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 accomplished proper will be nice and this had a beautiful ferrous be aware 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 stay up for. The whites of the area are beneath rated, or maybe beneath drunk? Regardless I believe 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 just a little pear drop in youth. Fairly a crowd pleaser at £15. I most well-liked Chateau de Chantegrive, Caroline, Graves, 2019. Just a little 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 one in every 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 be aware with some suggestion of menthol. Tannins just a little 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. More moderen vintages are a bit extra I imagine.
Meyney, Saint Estephe, 2019 is a wine that has had a rise in profile over the previous couple of years. Resulting from some beneficial critic evaluations and an excellent value I discover myself with some in my cellar. On this exhibiting maybe my expectations had been too excessive. Though an excellent wine I puzzled if it has closed down just a little 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 significantly good however not vastly pleasing 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 just a little 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 pretty 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’s worthwhile to drink one thing good after listening to the Chairman (me) drone on for a bit. All so good its arduous to choose just a few to speak about.
I had purchased PYCM, Bourgogne Blanc, 2017. A wine that may be a modest degree however given the producer popularity retails at £100. It divided opinion. I really like the type, struck match discount and such exact, taut steadiness on the palate. Some felt there was not sufficient fruit character beneath this to be pleasing. Onerous 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 identical value level. This was far more understated to start out with, a clear unexpressive nostril with just a little citrus fruit and oak. The palate was richer however nonetheless exact, a contact leesy with just a few tropical fruit hints. Carillon in all probability profitable the battle of the luxury burgs.
Onto the reds and I hoped for just a little 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. 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 no less than. Burlotto‘s costs have develop 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 nevertheless it nonetheless had pretty recent raspberry and blackcurrant fruits and such superb tannin.
My perennial favorite, JJ Prum made a exhibiting with Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Spatlese, 2010. It not often disappoints as this was basic blackcurrant leaf and icing sugar nostril. Most good Mosel wines present little petrol it’s possible you’ll get in youth or from different areas. Palate was the proper sweetness and acidity palate with recent granny smiths and a touch of stone fruit creeping in. It will 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 gained’t undergo the notes however take a look at his web site. Specific favourites had been from Villa Esposto. A 2024 Sauvingon Blanc was as removed from the grassy NZ model as you possibly can think about. Extra of a Loire profile, a sensitive stone fruited and mineral.
ninth October I led the tasting. A number 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 by day to the best of wines. This was extra on the fairly priced facet. As I used to be presenting my notes had 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 wanting ahead to as the main target 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 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 fancy white tasting adopted by one thing Spanish. Broad themes!
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