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:
Some older wines that have aged well, sometimes surprisingly well. For example, a 14-year-old Sancerre, a 16 year old Riesling, a 19 year old Macabeu and a 26-year-old white Bordeaux. Among the reds a superb Chinese, an exciting Mourvèdre from Cyprus, a beautiful old Beaujolais and much more.
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
Domaine Henri Bourgois Les Baronnes 2004, Sancerre
It is rare to taste older Sancerre wines. Here the aromatic Sauvignon blanc character had changed completely, into wax,honey and petroleum. Interesting and also very delicious.
Domaine des Chênes Les Sorbiers 2012, Côtes du Roussillon Blanc Vieilles Vignes
Superb white wine from the Roussillon made from old vines. Only 10 euro if purchased directly from the domaine, which is an amazing price. Very powerful with hints of honey.
Georg Breuer Berg Rottland 2002 Rheingau Riesling
A great Riesling that has softened over the years but still has a good freshness. There is petroleum and a little bit of residual sugar. Very complex aromas. Riesling is an amazing grape for ageing.
Les 2 Ânes Gris 2015, Domaine des Deux Ânes, Vin de France
Very old Grenache Gris gives richness and little fatness to this very pleasant wine from an excellent biodynamic estate in Corbièrees.
Finca Els Camps 2014, Jané Ventura, Penedés
100% Macabeu gives a rather discreet nose but a rich and powerful taste with some fatness. There are apricots and honey. Organic Jané Ventura is one of our favourites in Catalonia.
Macabeu 1999, Domaine Cazenove, Côtes du Roussillon
The grape Macabeu is grown in Roussillon in France and in Spain. And sometimes, like here, is ages gracefully. This 1999 was a very pleasant surprise incredibly flavourful with a good and developed taste and a dry finish. Amazingly good.
Château Carbonnieux 1992 Blanc, Pessac-Léognan
White Bordeaux wines have the ability to age and over the years they gain in complexity and character. Like this wine from 1992. It actually felt very vibrant with the Sauvignon Blanc aromas and the freshness still intact. A lovely wine.
Red wines
Tsangarides Winery, Mataro 2015, Paphos, Cypern
An organic wine from family owned vineyards in Cyprus. The grape is 100 % Mataro, also known as Mourvèdre. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 6 months. Quite well balanced and round with a good concentration of fruit aromas.
Authentique, Domaine l’Arbussele, Faugères
For 7 euros on the property this is a very affordable wine. It is rich, tasty, well structured with good fruit. A young interesting property to follow.
Domaine des Terres Dorées, Cuvée à l’Ancienne Le Buissy 1999, Beaujolais
Jean-Paul Brun was a pioneer for wines in a natural style. Already on this wine from 1999 it says “non-filtré” (no filtering) on the label. With age, this Beaujolais has become quite pinot noir-like. Still vibrant and very good.
Cinto 2015, Domaine du Moulin, Gaillac
A powerful wine, to drink or to keep. The tannins are soft, the acidity is fresh. It is a rich wine, packed with black fruit but there is balance already.
Chorey les Beaune 2001, Domaine Maillard Père & Fils
Lovely, mature Burgundy in the light and elegant style.
Domaine Ferrer Ribière Tradition 2005, Côtes du Roussillon
This relatively “simple” wine has developed into something complex and enjoyable. A bit to our surprise. Sometimes is pays to forget a wine in the cellar.
Château Haut-Marbuzet 1989, Saint Estèphe
A Bordeaux in the rich and concentrated style. Not your typical Bordeaux but still good.
Ningxia Winemaker’s Challenge 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Helen Mountain’s East Foothill Wine Region
One of the wines that participated in the Ningxia Winemaker’s Challenge in August 2017. Winemaker of this wine is Elena Alejos from Spaein, but the Cabernet grapes have all grown in Ningxia. The wine has been aged for 12 months on new oak barrels and was very lightly filtered. Typical grape aromas, black currant not least, ripe fruit, good structure, soft but present tannins. Very nice.
Bousigue 2015, Domaine Sarabande, Faugères
A fullbodied wine made from 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah with a lot of character. (18 euro from the domaine).
Torres Gran Coronas Black Label Reserva 1981
This wine has a beautiful mature character, but it does not feel old. Very typical Cabernet sauvignon in style. Delicious.
Maratheftiko 2014, Ezousa Winery, Cypern
Cyprus has some really interesting wine producers. Maratheftiko is a local grape variety that gives richness and fine acidity to this wine. It is full of spicy and floral flavours and quite well balanced.
Montgras Quatro 2017, Colchagua, Chile
Pleasant and powerful wine from Montgras, a top producer in Chile. It is a young wine and the oak is still very much in the foreground.
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!
