Mark: A-
Sunday, 29 November 2020
Crognolo 2017, Tenuta Sette Ponti, Tuscany, Italy
Oak, tobacco, cherry, plums, a bit of leather in the finish. Very drinkable right now so why wait.
Mark: B
Friday, 27 November 2020
Saint Anthelme Chignin Bergeron 2016, Denis et Didier Berthollier, Savoie, France
Sharp. All lemon and minerals. Some slight peach and pineapple notes. I was expecting more from this.
Mark: C
Thursday, 26 November 2020
Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Tuesday, 24 November 2020
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2017, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, New Zealand
Petrol and honey with some lime, lemon, peach, and pear. Last year's vintage was better.
The grapes for this wine come from a vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free draining, north facing terraces. It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, giving maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes and thus creating a unique mesoclimate. The vines are over 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots. The soil is free draining and of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique terroir. The vineyard has warm days, but the nights are amongst the coolest in the Waipara Valley, drawing out the ripening period of the grapes, while still retaining good natural acidity.
Sunday, 22 November 2020
Beaujolais Villages Nouveau Nature 2020 Jean Loron, Beaujolais, France
Raspberries, blueberry, banana finish. Full bodied for a Nouveau. I would buy this again for sure.
Friday, 20 November 2020
Thursday, 19 November 2020
Château de Villeneuve Cabernet Franc 2018, Samur-Champigny, Loire, France
Raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, earthy, leather, slight liqourice on long finish, talcum powder like tannins.
Mark: B-
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.
Tuesday, 17 November 2020
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 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
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