Wednesday, 18 November 2020

Chateau Rahoul 2017, Graves, Bordeaux, France

Lemon, asparagus, pear, peach, earthy, fruity.


The extremely mild winter favoured early budburst and very rapid growth of the vines. This was followed by good and even bunch set. The frost at the end of April spared the estate’s white grape varieties, which continued to develop well approximately three weeks ahead of schedule. Flowering was quick and even in the dry, sunny May weather. The summer, particularly August, will be remembered for hot days (but not too hot) and cool, damp nights, with the contrast promoting freshness and balance in the bunches during very early ripening. Determining optimum harvesting dates for the Semillon (dominant at Rahoul) and Sauvignon Blanc was crucial in this early vintage. The grapes were harvested only in the mornings, from August 28th to September 6th.

This wine is a blend of 59% Sémillon and 41% Sauvignon Blanc.

Mark: B-


Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Corbec Corvina Malbec 2016, Masi Tupungato, Uco Valley, Argentina

Super smooth, blackberry, blackcurrant, cherries, liqourice and black pepper finish.


Mark: B


Sunday, 15 November 2020

Château Jean Faux Sainte-Radegonde 2014, Bordeaux, France

Red fruits and blackcurrant. Some tannins but not harsh. Cedar and oak floating in the background. Lacking concentration though. I was expecting more.


Mark: C+


Saturday, 14 November 2020

Ritual Chardonnay 2018, Viñedos Vermonte, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Oaky, buttered toast, pineapple, orange blossom, lemon. Fruity and a nice refreshing acidic finish.


Mark: B-



Friday, 13 November 2020

Soproni Kékfrankos 2018, Peter Wetzer, Hungary

Nice dusty, concrete, unfiltered taste which adds body. Rapsberries, cherries, and minerals and acidic finish.


Mark: B-



Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Wunderkind Blue Velvet Villányi Kékfrankos 2017, Jammertal Wine Estate, Villány, Hungary

Raspberries, cherries, chocolate, black pepper, liqourice. The alcohol gives it some nice body and it has a nice acidic lift to it. A great value.


Mark: B-

Sunday, 8 November 2020

Château de Bertinat Révélation 2016, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France

Plums, blackcurrant, spice, earthy finish, smooth talcum powder like tannins. Very fruity.


Mark: B



Château Jean Faux Sainte-Radegonde Blanc 2017, Bordeaux, France

Oak and vanilla followed by apples and pears. Finishes with herbs. 14% but this is not at all evident. Could be fruitier and gets a boring after a bit.


Mark: C+




Saturday, 7 November 2020

Vigna Santa Margherita Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2018, Panizzi, Tuscany, Italy

Oak and butter, stone fruits and lemon, bitter almond finish.


Mark: B




Friday, 6 November 2020

Chakana Estate Torrontés de maceración prolongada 2019, Gualtaliary, Mendoza, Argentina

Grapefruity, lychee, peach, cloudy since it is unfiltered, some tannins on the finish. Not bad for an orange wine.


Mark: B



Wynns Coonawarra Estate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Coonawarra, Australia

Upfront blackberry and blackcurrant flowing into vanilla, oak, and chocolate and then ending up with hints of mint and liqourice.


Mark: B-



Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Mega Spileo III Cuvée Red, 2018, Cavino Winery and Distillery Aigio S.A., Peloponnesos, Achaia, Greece

Pruny, blackcurrant, plums, vanilla, spice, cherries, oak, tannins a little bit harsh still. Let it sit for a couple more years.


Mark: B


Sunday, 1 November 2020

Wieninger Ried Herrnholz Bisamberg Grüner Veltliner 2019, Vienna, Austria

Lemon, lime, pear, white pepper, minerals, grassy and creamy on the finish.


Mark: B-

Saturday, 31 October 2020

Kumarod Rot 2018, Schwarz, Burgenland, Austria

Plums, cherries, blueberries, spice and leather. Good concentration and nice acidic lift.


Mark: B


Thursday, 29 October 2020

Late Harvest Red 2014, Heinrich, Burgenland, Austria

Off dry, raspberries, strawberries, plums, cherries,liqourice and spice, long fruity finish with leather at the end.

Mark: A




Sunday, 25 October 2020

Le Anfore Syrah 2019, Tenuta Casadei, Tuscany, Italy

Cherries, raspberries, blackberries, liqourice, white pepper, mineral notes.


Mark: B




Saturday, 24 October 2020

Bergström 2018 Old Stones Oregon Chardonnay, Willmatte Valley, Oregon, USA

Pear, lemon, lime, butter, peach and pineapple notes in the background, minerals and oak at the end.


Mark: B+


Thursday, 22 October 2020

Les Combettes Marselan 2018, Domaine Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot, Côtes du Brian, Laguedoc-Roussillon, France

Blueberry, blackcurrant, raspberries, white pepper, liqourice, minerals, mouth coating, warm long finish. Reminds me of a very nice rich Grenache.


Mark: A-



Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Schneider Pinot Noir 2015, Pfalz, Germany

Very bright upfront fruit. Strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and cherries. Gamey but not unpleasant. Starting to brown on the rim.


Mark: B


Sunday, 18 October 2020

Wieninger Pinot Noir Select 2018, Vienna, Austria

Juicy acidity but has the fruit to back it up. Strawberries and cherries and spicy finish. Love it. Fritz Wieninger pulls it off yet again!.


Mark: B