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. No points!
Some inspiration for more wine discoveries! As well as a perspective on what to expect from older wines.
This month:
Some original whites from Hungary and Languedoc, fantastic Chenin Blanc and superb red from Australia, Corton Grand Cru, Rhone Valley, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Portugal and mature Champagne.
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!
White wines
Morillon Blanc by Jeff Carrel 2011, Domaine Saint Roch, IGP Pays d’Oc
An interesting wine that has a bit of a toffee taste in the aftertaste, even though it is completely dry. There is citrus and honey in the aromas and a slight oxidation. The grapes were partially affected by botrytis, hence the honey tone. But the wine is completely dry. The colour is dark, the taste is full bodied and the oak is not too strong. It is a very exciting wine. Made by Jeff Carrel who seems to be quite an adventurous wine maker. Morillon is another name for chardonnay.
Château Lestrille Capmartin Bordeaux Blanc 2012
Delicious white Bordeaux with length and body. There is probably some sémillon blended with the sauvignon blanc.
Savennières Roche aux Moines, Domaine aux Moines 1994
A typical Chenin Blanc with a fresh, crisp acidity. It has aromas of grapefruit, honey and beeswax, and the taste is very dry, quite fat and mellow. A very pleasant mature Savennières.
Champagne Thierry Perrion Grand Cru
We bought this Champagne probably 10-12 years ago. Still very good with some maturity and complex aromas gained over the years. A full-bodied pinot noir based Champagne with some ripe apples on the nose. Long and intense on the palate.
Château de Lussac Blanc 2013, Bordeaux
Château Lussac is located in Saint Emilion Lussac and here you do not make white wines. But there are always exceptions. This Sauvignon Blanc is the first white vintage from Château de Lussac and it is very successful. Delicious with some grape fruit character, fresh acidity, quite rich in taste.
Tokaji Furmint, Chateau Cloche
A very special style of wine. Special but very good! Dark and slightly oxidized in style. Maybe there has been some skin contact? Dry and rich in flavours. Very nice with cheese.
Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2010, Chateau Cloche
6 puttonyos is a really sweet Tokaj. The wine is rich, concentrated and luscious and with a freshness typical of Tokaj that makes the wine easy to drink without being heavy.
Red wines
La 50/50 Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot 2011, Vin de France
Burgundy couple Anne Gros and Jean-Paul Tollot has a vineyard also in the Minervois in the Languedoc. And indeed, this wine shows some elegant Burgundy-style. It is an easy drinking, fruity and pleasant wine with character. The grapes are Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. 13,60 euro in a wine shop in Paris.
Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette 2000
This wine has a lot of Syrah grape character. The structure however is pretty light. The wine feels rounded and soft but not particularly aged.
Warre’s Vintage Port 1983
An excellent vintage year that was very drinkable now, after about 30 years.
Domaine Drouhin 1997 Cuvée Laurène Oregon Pinot Noir
This wine is the flagship of the US part of Domaine Drouhin, the Burgundy firm that also makes wine in Oregon. This 1997 was possibly a bit too old. It was still a very good Pinot Noir but very light in structure.
Domaine de Pisan 2010, Rasteau, Cave de Rasteau
A pleasant and drinkable wine from the village of Rasteau in the southern Rhone Valley. Good structure, soft tannins.
Duca d’Aragona Candida 1993 Rosso del Salento, Puglia
This wine from Puglia in southern Italy has aged beautifully. Tobacco and ripe fruit on the nose. Well-structured. The grapes are Negroamaro and Montepulciano. Price for a new vintage is around 16 euro.
Cigalus 2002, Vin de Pays d’Oc, Gerard Betrand
Although the grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot this wine is still a southern wine. The colour is very dark for a wine that is 12 years old. Good fruit and structure. A well-made, delicious wine, maybe a little international in style. From renowned Gerard Bertrand down in the Languedoc. Cigalus is now biodynamic certified.
Château Croizet-Bages 1990 Pauillac
Light in style, easy to drink, soft. Well developed.
Corton Grand Cru 1988, Domaine Bonneau the Martray
Fantastic Burgundy, perfectly mature, smooth and so pleasant to drink. From one of the most respected Corton producers.
Château La Tour de By 2011 Médoc
Light and elegant with a pretty good structure with tannins and freshness at the end. A nice Médoc with an affordable price tag.
Penfold’s Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1990
A fantastic, great wine with fine maturity. Still a bit oaky, but not overwhelming, the years have done their work. A powerful and impressive wine that probably can be counted as Australia’s second best wine (after Penfold’s Grange). The price tag today is also impressive (less so when we bought the 1990).
Caves Alianca Foral Douro 1997
Very good Portuguese wine. Lighter in style than what one might expect of a red Douro. The wine has aged in style and it has become more and more complex.
Aeternalis Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009, Domaine le Pointu
Powerful wine with a temper and warmth (and alcohol …). Spicy and peppery aromas. And ripe berries. A typical Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Chateau Romanin, Coeur Tertius 2000, Les Baux en Provence
Well preserved wine, now with some Bordeaux character. Good fruit, freshness and structure.
Brouilly Vieilles Vignes 2013 Domaine Joubert M & G
One of my favourites in Beaujolais. Easy drinking with some fullness, very fruity and quite soft but with good structure.
Château de France Rouge 2011, Pessac-Léognan (Bordeaux)
Very good red Pessac-Léognan. Tight structure, young in style with plenty of fruit.
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel California 1998
A bit old and a bit volatile, but perfectly OK. A relatively simple and inexpensive wine that has aged well. Now shows both complexity and maturity.
Malhadinha 2004, Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Alentejo, Portugal
Powerful wine with plenty of fruit and a little sweet spiciness. Dark in colour and it feels younger than its 10 years. The grapes are 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Aragones and 40% Alicante Bouchet. Good wine from an excellent estate in the Alentejo in Portugal.
Regaleali Rosso 1998, Tasca d’Almerita, Sicily
Unpretentious wine, OK but possibly slightly too old.
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!
