Tenuta Carlin de Paolo Moscato d’Asti 2018 When the first taste tells you it is an outstanding wine, it is like the first kiss. Admittedly the latter would be more special. So can the former, particularly when it seems a long time since we have encountered something genuinely uncluttered, unoaked, …
Read More »Legacy Peak Estate Grown Chardonnay 2015
Legacy Peak Estate Grown Chardonnay 2015 Legacy Peak, in Ningxia, is situated within a national park containing the imperial tombs and royal mausoleums of the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227). A UNESCO Heritage Site in north-west China, the kingdom was contemporaneous with the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). The tombs are …
Read More »Chateau Lafleur de Haute-Serre 2015
Cahors – not far from Bordeaux in the south-west of France – enjoyed the same ripening conditions in 2015. This malbec (which is also grown in Bordeaux although not a lot of it) shows blackcurrant/blackberry fruit with a tobacco aspect. Ripe, soft tannins. Both the fruit – and tannins – …
Read More »Tiansai Marselan Grand Reserve 2016
This is arguably Tiansai Vineyard’s finest, best red they have produced to date. Violets, and raspberry fruit of intensity and stubborn persistence. Sweetness of ripe fruit wrapped in textured suave tannins. And delicious freshness. Full-bodied but very elegant. Decanted for an hour. This is the first vintage of Tiansai Grand …
Read More »Chateau Silk Road Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2016
Silk Road owns three vineyards in Yili. Two are to the east, 20 km from the city of Yining. The third is 50 km west of the city (where flights arrive). This predominant cabernet sauvignon has 3% petit verdot. Deep coloured. Rich blackberry fruit held together by rich, smoky oak …
Read More »Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2009
Time is the only key that can unlock potential. Open an exceptional bottle before its time, and we can only detect, but not taste, potential. Central Otago Pinot Noir tend to be fruitier than their Burgundian counterparts which even when fruity, tend to greater structure, including tannins and acidity. At …
Read More »Francesco Rinaldi e Figli Barolo 1974
Barolo, produced entirely from nebbiolo, is one of the most long-lived reds in the world. Full of structure, acidity, and pent-up fruit that releases itself like a slow-motion incoming tide, this great Italian is never in a hurry to impress. The occasion of this bottle was five school friends born …
Read More »Jaume Codorniu Gran Reserva 2013 & Jaume Codorniu Gran Reserva 2008
Wines of the Day Codorniu is Spain’s oldest continuous business concern, having been founded in 1551 as a wine company (sparkling wine was not yet created then). The founder was Jaume Codorniu for which this premium sparkling wine is dedicated. A blend of three vineyards and three varieties – 45% …
Read More »Chateau de Vaucouleurs Les Lizards 2012
Vines are believed to have been planted here by the Romans since 600 BC. Much more recently, the De Wulf Family became proprietors in 2010 and started converting to organic farming. They also own Jas d’Esclans, another nearby winery. Both are close to the famous Chateau d’Esclans owned by Sacha Lichine. All …
Read More »Ximenez-Spinola Original 2017
The Spinola Family has documented wine roots going back to 1729. It is unique in Jerez because Ximenez-Spinola only grows and produces wines entirely from Pedro Ximenez. There are just 16 hectares of vineyards. The family-owned company has “no interest in the production of large volumes but quality and loyalty …
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