Uncorked: Under this heading, we collect various wines that we have tasted, and liked, recently. It can be wines that we have had during dinner at home, at wine tastings, press lunches, visits to vineyards, or other occasions.
We describe the wines just with a few short sentences, tasting notes that we hope will give you a short but accurate impression of what we thought of the wine, without delving into finer points tasting notes.
Some inspiration for more wine discoveries! As well as a perspective on what to expect from older wines.
This month:
Powerful grüner veltliner and an unusually typical Chablis. The Catalan grape xarel-lo shows its magnificence. Classic Margaux from 1981, the unusual grape ancellotta, natural wine made from the Muscadet grape, a top quality riesling from Moldova and a juicy, easy drinking wine from Etna.
Want more inspiration? Read more about what we have tasted, often unusual and always interesting in all Uncorked back issues. Click the link to read more!
Sparkling wines
Champagne Penet-Chardonnet, Coline & Candice 2009, Extra-Brut, Verzy
Beautiful, golden colour and a powerful nose and taste in slightly oxidized (honey, nuts) and mature style, yet very fresh. Expressive and superb.
Cuvée de Purcari Alb Brut, Stefan Voda, Moldova
Nice sparkling with some complexity and weight, albeit a little short in taste. From one of Moldova’s largest and most famous wineries, Purcari.
White wines
Chablis 2016, Domaine Christine, Elodie & Patrick Chalmeau, Chitry
Brilliant and very typical Chablis with stony minerality. Very dry but fruity. Good length and balance. This is a family business in the village of Chitry near Auxerre. Daughter Elodie is more and more taking over the responsibility (~ 13 euros).
Grüner Veltliner 2017 Ried Käferberg, Rabl, Kamptal, Austria
It was very nice to get to know this exceptionally full-bodied grüner veltliner. Aromas of apricot and mandarin and an intense palate followed by a long, juicy taste. It is expressive and powerful (~18 euro).
Calcari 2014, Xarel-lo, Parés Baltá, Penedès, Catalonia, Spain
Interesting and exciting wine from organic producer Parés Baltá. It is powerful with texture and mouthfeel. Some tannins on the palate and taste of stone fruit. Made from 100% of the xarel-lo, the Cava grape.
Gladstone Winery Pushmi, Wairarapa, New Zealand (in cooperation with Yeastie Boys)
Sauvignon blanc and Viognier are fermented together. The result is a rather discreet nose but a very structured taste with some exotic fruit and a good balance. Nice wine that is the result of a collaboration between Gladstone Winery and the beer brewery (!) Yeastie Boys.
Miss Terre 2018, Vin de France, Domaine de la Sénéchalière, Marc Pesnot
The grape is melon de bourgogne and the wine comes from the Loire Valley. Very juicy, smooth and it has a clear natural feeling to it. Aromas of citrus, spices and some exotic fruit. Slow fermentation for 4 months and ageing on the lees. Very good (~ 16 euros).
Manastirea Rohrbach Cru 2016 Riesling de Rhein, Gitana Winery, Valul lui Traian, Moldova
A first-class wine by winemaker Nicola Tucci. Aromatic, fresh acidity, citrus aromas. Good concentration and with a lovely vibrating freshness. Feels very much like a riesling. High points.
Red wines
Ala Colorada, Ancellotta, Viña Las Perdices, Mendoza, Argentina
Very dark in colour. A full-bodied wine with tannins and bit of (but not too much) astringency at the end. Ripe berries on the nose and some oak aromas. The ageing is 15 months in French and American barrels. The unusual grape ancellotta comes from Emilia-Romagna in Italy.
Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 1981, Margaux, Bordeaux
A classic second wine in Margaux. But today is hardly regarded as one, as it stands very much on its own legs. Amazingly delicious, well matured and complex. Light and elegant in style with typical Bordeaux features such as cedar wood and tobacco.
Leeloo, Vin de France 2017, Chateau La Grave, Fronsac (Vignoble Paul Barre)
Juicy and very easy drinking from biodynamic estate in run by Edith and Gabriel Barre. “Bordeaux” in a different style.
Legítimo, Conceito 2016, Douro Valley, Portugal
Superb wine from the innovative winemaker Rita Ferreira Marques far up in the Douro Valley. Well-balanced wine with fine fruit, dark berries, good acidity and tannins hidden in the background.
Tapteil Syrah 2009, Spilya Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington
Powerful wine with concentration, lots of dark berries and fruits, some tobacco, and some vanilla sweetness. A bit too generously oaked. From well-known producer in Washington’s largest wine district, Yakima Valley.
Rosu Imparat 2015, Minis Terrios, Moldova
A fruity, elegant and very nice wine made from two local Moldavian grapes, feteasca neagra and rara neagra, as well as some cabernet sauvignon. There are structure and some tannins, although the style is very much on the finesse. Winemaker is Dan Prisacaru. Purchased for ~ 12 euros in Chisinau.
5 Elemente, Equinox, Moldova
Smooth tannins, great concentration with good balance. Dark, ripe fruit. Winemaker Constantin Stratan is a pioneer in Moldova. Prestige wine with a small production of 3400 bottles.
Las Araucarias Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Edicion Limitada, Maipo Costa Chile
Delightfully fruity wine with some concentration and lots of red berries. Good freshness. Full-bodied and long on the palate. Really good. From a small organic producer in Maipo, Chile.
Benanti Contrada Monte Serra Etna Rosso 2016, Sicily
Elegant, sophisticated yet with some concentration so don’t be fooled by the light color. Easy to drink but still a very serious wine. Delicious. From Benanti, one of the best Etna growers.
Loidana 2015, Priorat, Catalonia, Spain
Marco Abella is the winemaker who made this very pleasant wine. It is an unusual Priorat because it is easy going and elegant with smoothness on the palate. The grapes are garnacha and carignan (~14 euros).
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Château Fouquet 2017, Domaine Filliatreau, Saumur Rouge, Loire Valley
Cabernet Franc at its best. From Demeter certified Domaine Filliatreau. Very attractive wine, full-bodied with fine, pure fruit and crispy acidity.
Want more inspiration? Read more about what we have tasted, often unusual and always interesting in all Uncorked back issues. Click the link to read more!
