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:
Albariño from Spain and the slightly more unusual Savatiano from Greece. The wine world at the moment is brimming over with interesting white grapes. Two different styles of Syrah from Northern Rhône and a 25-year-old Cabernet Franc from the Loire with an incredible complexity. Interesting wines from Cyprus and Chile. And unoaked Chardonnay, we can’t get too much of that.
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
X of Saó, Rias Baixas Albariño, Saó del Coster, Spain
This is a white favourite of ours. Albariño is a lovely grape, fresh with lemon and grape aromas. This one is particularly flavourful. It is from Galicia in the very northwest of Spain. The company Saó del Coster, however, is based in Gratallops in Priorat. ~12 euro
Chardonnay Classic Beaujolais 2016, Jean-Paul Brun, Domaine des Terres Dorée
This is a very pleasant and fairly typical Chardonnay in a full-bodied style and completely without oak. Jean-Paul Brun is in the southern part of Beaujolais and he is as good with whites as he is with reds.
Arlequin 2016, Pierre Frick Pur Vin, Sans sulfite ajouté
Jean-Pierre Frick makes organic and biodynamic wines and sometimes he doesn’t add any sulphites at all. Like here. Interesting wine but it tastes more like cider than wine. Juicy and refreshing though.
Mylonas 2015 Savatiano, Greece
Really delicious wine with prominent flavours of citrus. Very fresh acidity. The Savatiano grapes grow on poor limestone soil in Attica, not far from Athens. Savatiano is also sometimes used for Retsina and it is considered the best Retsina grape.
Red wines
Domaine des Entrefaux, Crozes-Hermitage 2017, Charles & François Tardy
Superb and very typical Syrah from Northern Rhône Valley. Black currents and other black and red fruit, with tight structure and fine acidity. Very good with a modest price tag of 13 euro.
Domaine Pech Redon, La Centaurée 1999
An amazing wine with mature aromas and some softness but with a good structure intact. Flavourful and actually a bit reminiscent of a mature Bordeaux. The grapes are Grenache and Syrah. A new vintage would cost ~25 euro.
Syrah 2016, Jeanne Gaillard, Terre de Mandrin, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Very nice Syrah in the easy going and elegant style. Northern Rhone syrah. Taste is intense though, with some spices and dark berries. Jeanne Gaillard is the daughter of Pierre Gaillard, a famous producer in Côte Rôtie.
Bourgueil 1993 Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Perrières, Domaine Pierre Breton
You may not think so, but Cabernet Franc has an enormous ageing potential. This wine was probably delicious also twenty years ago but now it was stunning. Bordeaux did enter my mind when I tasted it blind but with a much more pronounced freshness and vitality.
Giannoudi 2015, Vlassides Winery, Cyprus
The grape is Giannoudi, a local and very rare grape. This is a delicious wine with a nice texture, some tannins and surprisingly good freshness. It has concentration, fine fruit aromas a hint of herbes de Provence. A balanced, well-made wine, young but very drinkable now. Giannoudi is an extremely rare Cypriot variety that was rediscovered just a few years ago. This was an experimental cuvée that we hope will become a permanent label.
Tsangarides Winery, Mataro 2015, Cyprus
Organic from Cyprus. The grape is Mataro, also known as Mourvèdre in France. There is a bit of a Bandol feeling with its tight structure, dark berries, tobacco aromas and a strong body. An excellent wine, complex and with a long and pleasant taste.
Alchemy Syrah 2015, Cachapoal, Chile
Alchemy is an interesting estate that makes wines full of character. This Syrah feels a little bit oaky but is has a good structure and fruit. Powerful and with a decent balance.
Secano Dry Farming Syrah 2015, Marchigue, Polkura, Colchagua, Chile
A superb wine in a natural style. No irrigation which is rare in Chile. Marchigue is an appellation at the western end of Colchagua. Polkura is an interesting and very ambitious winery making wines that don’t taste like most other Chilean wines.
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!
