Tonight I thought we would have a look a wine society Bordeaux that came as a part of a mixed case. Historically have avoided anything with any Cabernet Sauvignon, including most Bordeaux, as it has always seemed too tannic for me. This seemed to have passed, so I thought I would try and understand Bordeaux a little better.
Name The Societies Exhibition Paulliac
Vintage 2004
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Grape Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc
Maker Les domaines Barons de Rothchilds
% Alc 12.5%
Price £16
Source The Wine Society
I was expecting to be wowed by this Bordeaux, by a great maker and not a cheap price. All this presented by my trusted society. All I can say was it was dull. The nose was pretty nice, but that was really it.
There is a good chance that I don't drink this stuff purely because it isn't that exciting, and doesn't represent good value for money. If I had £16 to spend in Burgundy or the Rhone, I could get a really exciting drop.
I will probably venture back at some point, but I'm not sure that it's for me. If someone can persuade me, please do.
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Argentinian Pinot Noir
Name Chalten Pinot Noir
Vintage 2007
Country Argentina
Region
Grape PInot Noir
Maker
% Alc 14%
Price ??
Source Winos
Nose is splendid, yet simple, with cherries, berries and straw. No trace of the dampness of French Pinot showing up here.
It's really pleasing; it was a little cold when it came out of the booze-man's cupboard, and in some ways, that suited it. Tasty, quaffable, good quality, light and with ribena, it hides its 14% really well.
The yorkshire girl was so taken with drinking it cool (I had put my glass by the radiator to ripen after one slurp) that she dug out the wine temperature-ometer, to see how close she was to the 10-12 C suggested on the bottle (having no sense of scale in these matters.)
Vintage 2007
Country Argentina
Region
Grape PInot Noir
Maker
% Alc 14%
Price ??
Source Winos
Nose is splendid, yet simple, with cherries, berries and straw. No trace of the dampness of French Pinot showing up here.
It's really pleasing; it was a little cold when it came out of the booze-man's cupboard, and in some ways, that suited it. Tasty, quaffable, good quality, light and with ribena, it hides its 14% really well.
The yorkshire girl was so taken with drinking it cool (I had put my glass by the radiator to ripen after one slurp) that she dug out the wine temperature-ometer, to see how close she was to the 10-12 C suggested on the bottle (having no sense of scale in these matters.)
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Beaujolais Nouveau
It is the third Thursday of November, Beaujolais Nouveau day !!
Unfortunately, the wine shop I went to to get some after work had none :(
I guess I will will get some tomorrow and pretend that it is Thursday.
Never mind, I have other things in the rack.
Unfortunately, the wine shop I went to to get some after work had none :(
I guess I will will get some tomorrow and pretend that it is Thursday.
Never mind, I have other things in the rack.
Saturday, 13 November 2010
an aging ausie
One tonight from either Phil's legendary bin end box, or Australia's bottom shelf (where Merlot goes to die!). This could be awesome or rubbish, I love the randomness and living appeal of wine. Grant Burge is a good maker, even though this is one of the entry level offerings. Still not cheap, by most peoples money. Lets see how it performs !
Name Grant Burge Barossa Vines Shiraz 2003
Vintage 2003
Country Australia
Region Barossa
Grape Shiraz
Maker Grant Burge
% Alc 14.5%
Price ??
Source Winos
I decanted this one, to let it get some air and so I don't end up drinking what was a decent amount of, what can only be described as, crap from the bottom of this bottle.
The wine is still very purple, but starting to show some of the brick colour typical of a wine with some age. It still tastes good too, quite savoury with a touch of boot polish.
This isn't a bobby dazzler but it is good drinking. There is something about old wine, maybe like leaving a curry overnight, that just allows all the flavours to get accustomed with each other and soften out. This shows that, it is lovely and rounded, with no spiky edges and seems to show much more interest now all the blousey fruit of youth has disappeared.
On this showing, I am really looking forward to some of the other Aussie shirazes, that Phil and Jules dug out of the cellar (St Hallett old block, Wynns Coonawarra estate, D'Arrenburg Laughing magpie and a Plantagenet Mount Barker) all with a bit of age; maybe not by design, but available in the shop if you look for them.
Name Grant Burge Barossa Vines Shiraz 2003
Vintage 2003
Country Australia
Region Barossa
Grape Shiraz
Maker Grant Burge
% Alc 14.5%
Price ??
Source Winos
I decanted this one, to let it get some air and so I don't end up drinking what was a decent amount of, what can only be described as, crap from the bottom of this bottle.
The wine is still very purple, but starting to show some of the brick colour typical of a wine with some age. It still tastes good too, quite savoury with a touch of boot polish.
This isn't a bobby dazzler but it is good drinking. There is something about old wine, maybe like leaving a curry overnight, that just allows all the flavours to get accustomed with each other and soften out. This shows that, it is lovely and rounded, with no spiky edges and seems to show much more interest now all the blousey fruit of youth has disappeared.
On this showing, I am really looking forward to some of the other Aussie shirazes, that Phil and Jules dug out of the cellar (St Hallett old block, Wynns Coonawarra estate, D'Arrenburg Laughing magpie and a Plantagenet Mount Barker) all with a bit of age; maybe not by design, but available in the shop if you look for them.
Gosset Champagne
Weekend bubbles are the norm in our house, the Yorkshire lass dictates!
Last weekend we had a raid at Wino's in Oldham, the owners are our friends and we always come out with something a bit different. I can trust Phil to understand what we are looking for and have something tucked away in his dusty, chaotic cellar (St Hallett Old block 2000 will be drunk later in the year)
We were after a different champagne to anything we have had recently, Gosset it is then.
Name Gosset Champagne Brut excellence
Vintage NV
Country France
Region Champagne
Grape Champagne Blend
Maker Gosset
% Alc 12%
Price
Source Winos
We love champagne in all its guises (I am sure we may find one we actively dislike, rather than slightly underwhelms, but it hasn't happened yet!), and they are all a unique thing. This one is all about the delicious green acidity - apples and limes, which makes it highly drinkable and morish. This is all balanced with a quite sweet middle, suggesting a pretty heavy hand with the dosage. but judiciously so.
Last weekend we had a raid at Wino's in Oldham, the owners are our friends and we always come out with something a bit different. I can trust Phil to understand what we are looking for and have something tucked away in his dusty, chaotic cellar (St Hallett Old block 2000 will be drunk later in the year)
We were after a different champagne to anything we have had recently, Gosset it is then.
Name Gosset Champagne Brut excellence
Vintage NV
Country France
Region Champagne
Grape Champagne Blend
Maker Gosset
% Alc 12%
Price
Source Winos
We love champagne in all its guises (I am sure we may find one we actively dislike, rather than slightly underwhelms, but it hasn't happened yet!), and they are all a unique thing. This one is all about the delicious green acidity - apples and limes, which makes it highly drinkable and morish. This is all balanced with a quite sweet middle, suggesting a pretty heavy hand with the dosage. but judiciously so.
It's not a champagne particularly in the toasty mould, but there is some fennel-y length here, florality, and lots to interest the mouth. Really good bubbles too, not of a Bollinger fineness, but small, persistent, and satisfying. A proper apero, I would say. I could probably even drink this with cake
Thanks to Jules and Phil at Winos, for helping to perpetuate our thorough exploration of this favourite treat's many forms.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Asda ES Shiraz (Syrah)
This is a south of France number from near Carcasonne,
My overall description is going to be similar to that of the Chardonnay, not exiting but good quality. There isn't much pizazz here but decent finesse. We thought that maybe this was a little less baked than we might have expected from here.
I was contemplating about this, what does a supermarket's own brand extra special/taste the difference/finest need to do? I think that it needs to play safe, be typical, a good example, but nothing too special......go figure, maybe I am wrong.
>I would buy this Syrah again without thinking twice, good weekday wine and a good example of the above characteristics.
My overall description is going to be similar to that of the Chardonnay, not exiting but good quality. There isn't much pizazz here but decent finesse. We thought that maybe this was a little less baked than we might have expected from here.
I was contemplating about this, what does a supermarket's own brand extra special/taste the difference/finest need to do? I think that it needs to play safe, be typical, a good example, but nothing too special......go figure, maybe I am wrong.
>I would buy this Syrah again without thinking twice, good weekday wine and a good example of the above characteristics.
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