Wine tasting
Jan. 9th, 2011 12:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bellinghmanRiesling
'Eroica', Chateau St Michelle & Dr Loosen, Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA - 2008
A straightforward fresh summery citrus Riesling, showing the charm of the grape when young.
'The Contours', Pewsey Vale, Adelaide Hills, Australia - 2005
And a total contrast - the bouquet had that powerful blast of petrol and burnt rubber that an older Riesling can develop as it matures. This is an old vineyard (a century and a half before this was made) and they won't release the wine till it's gone 5 years old.
Munsterer Rheinberg, Kabinett Halbtrocken, Weingut Goettelmann, Nahe, Germany - 2005
An unctuous apparent sweetness that belies the fact that it's almost dry. At 12.5%, it's also very strong by German standards.
Grand Cru Schlossberg, Albert Mann, Wettolsheim, Alsace, France - 2004
Oh come here and be my friend. An absolutely classic Alsation Riesling - this couldn't be from anywhere else, it's closer to the Alsatian Gewurtz than it is to Riesling from elsewhere.
Pinot Noir
Gevrey Chambertin Clos St Jacques, Vielles Vignes, Domaine Fourrier, Burgundy, France - 2000
This may be a classic GC - but a bit disappointing. And with a current market price well into 3 figures, grossly overpriced.
Cuvaison Winery, Carneros, California, USA - 2007
Fruitier than I would normally go for in a Pinot Noir, but still nice, and much better value for money than the previous wine.
'Peter Max', Crystallum, Elgin Bay, Western Cape, South Africa - 2008
About 50% more expensive than the Californian, but probably about the same as far as enjoyment is concerned.
Saint Clair 'Strip Block 15' Pioneer's Block, Marlborough, NZ
Personally, I reckon the Kiwis are making the best PNs I'm tasting, and St Clair are one of the great makers. I definitely prefer this to the Gevrey, and at a tenth of the price, it is vastly better value.
'Eroica', Chateau St Michelle & Dr Loosen, Columbia Valley, Washington State, USA - 2008
A straightforward fresh summery citrus Riesling, showing the charm of the grape when young.
'The Contours', Pewsey Vale, Adelaide Hills, Australia - 2005
And a total contrast - the bouquet had that powerful blast of petrol and burnt rubber that an older Riesling can develop as it matures. This is an old vineyard (a century and a half before this was made) and they won't release the wine till it's gone 5 years old.
Munsterer Rheinberg, Kabinett Halbtrocken, Weingut Goettelmann, Nahe, Germany - 2005
An unctuous apparent sweetness that belies the fact that it's almost dry. At 12.5%, it's also very strong by German standards.
Grand Cru Schlossberg, Albert Mann, Wettolsheim, Alsace, France - 2004
Oh come here and be my friend. An absolutely classic Alsation Riesling - this couldn't be from anywhere else, it's closer to the Alsatian Gewurtz than it is to Riesling from elsewhere.
Pinot Noir
Gevrey Chambertin Clos St Jacques, Vielles Vignes, Domaine Fourrier, Burgundy, France - 2000
This may be a classic GC - but a bit disappointing. And with a current market price well into 3 figures, grossly overpriced.
Cuvaison Winery, Carneros, California, USA - 2007
Fruitier than I would normally go for in a Pinot Noir, but still nice, and much better value for money than the previous wine.
'Peter Max', Crystallum, Elgin Bay, Western Cape, South Africa - 2008
About 50% more expensive than the Californian, but probably about the same as far as enjoyment is concerned.
Saint Clair 'Strip Block 15' Pioneer's Block, Marlborough, NZ
Personally, I reckon the Kiwis are making the best PNs I'm tasting, and St Clair are one of the great makers. I definitely prefer this to the Gevrey, and at a tenth of the price, it is vastly better value.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-09 01:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-09 04:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-10 01:19 am (UTC)I'd be curious as to your reaction to my cache of Dry Creek Pinots...
no subject
Date: 2011-01-09 03:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-09 04:15 pm (UTC)What amused me somewhat was that the clipboard by each bin notes the wine, merchant, etc., including the cost. When one sees the 1960 port listed at £4.50, one realises that the cost is what the college originally paid, not what it would be on the day. (That Gevrey was bought in at £24/bottle.)
And yes, St Clair do make fine wines.