Wine of the Week

Wine of the Week • 21 July 2021

Rapaura Springs Classic Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 Bright ruby. Scented raspberry/strawberry/cherry fruit full of vigour, vitality balanced by a bite of crisp, ripe tannins and shored up by invigorating freshness. The vineyards – in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley – and winery adhere to strict “Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand” standards.

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Wine of the Week • 13 July 2021

Cap Royal Bordeaux Superieur 2018 This Bordeaux Superieur over-delivers BIG TIME!! It’s over-achieving success is due to Jean-Rene Matignon, Chief Winemaker of Super Second Growth Chateau Pichon Baron which company, AXA Millesimes, created and owns the brand. Cap Royal is named for the Cordouan lighthouse – the oldest in Europe – which stands guard at the entrance …

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Wine of the Week • 8 July 2021

Chateau de Valois Pomerol 2016 Lying near the border with St-Emilion, this Pomerol estate has been owned by the Leydet Family since 1862. Conversion to organic viticulture of the 8.5 ha vineyard began in 2012 and was certified with the 2015 vintage. Planted to 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, …

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Wine of the Week • 28 June 2021

Chateau Pichon Baron 2001 Englishman Christian Seely (fluent also in French and Portuguese) became CEO of all the wine properties of AXA Millesimes and moved from Quinta do Noval to offices in Chateau Pichon Baron in 2001. His maiden vintage is wonderfully fragrant. Sandalwood, camphor, aged tobacco, leather, blackcurrant, and dried small Chinese prunes. Riveting freshness. Decant 60 …

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Wine of the Week • 23 June 2021

Haut-Batailley Verso Pauillac 2017 This is the first vintage of Fifth Growth Chateau Haut-Batailley under new owners, the Cazes Family of Chateau Lynch-Bages. Verso is the new name of the Second Wine which previously was Tour d’Aspic. The change of name is christened with this dramatic new label. Lightly smoky, crisp peppery capsicum fruit with a hint …

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Wine of the Week • 15 June 2021

Dom Perignon 2012 The year is being compared to 1990 and 2008, two of the greatest Champagne vintages ever, so impressive is 2012. Both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir had wonderful maturity when harvested. And remarkable acidity. Bright green lights in the youthful complexion. Small white flowers and green/yellow citrus. Lifted, …

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Wine of the Week • 31 May 2021

Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay 2018 The first vintage was 2005. Bin 311 emphasizes cool-climate fruit including some that was originally earmarked for Penfolds’ top white, Yattarna (first vintage 1995). Bin 311 is also a multi-regional blend with fruit from Adelaide Hills, Tumbarumba, and Tasmania. Barrel fermented, the ageing is in …

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Wines of the Week • 24 May 2021

Champagne Duval-Leroy Blanc de Blancs Prestige Grand Cru Bright light gold. Brioche, citrus, apples, minerality, with a dash of honey. Richness and intensity. Long, persistent, lingering finish. The shrunken cork reveals bottle-age which accounts for a delicious evolution that has set in. Chardonnay from six great Grand Crus are responsible …

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Wine of the Week • 18 May 2021

OLDEST IN FUENMAYOR Montecillo is the oldest winery in the town of Fuenmayor. Founded in 1870, the bodega is also the third oldest in La Rioja. Montecillo or “Little Mountain” is just 10 kilometres west of Logrono and specialises in red wine including Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. There is also a white Rioja …

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Wine of the Week • 14 May 2021

Saltram Eighth Winemaker Barossa Shiraz 2000 Signed and made by Nigel Dolan, Saltram – part of Treasury Wine Estates, proprietor also of Penfolds and a snaking list of wineries – does not produce Eighth Winemaker anymore following the departure of the same. Nigel Dolan had gifted this bottle when I visited the winery more than 15 …

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