winellama

Meopham Valley, Rosé, Sparkling Wine, Kent, England, 2009, 12%abv, 26.99 UK lbs

Posted on July 21, 2013 by winellama

Post Vinopolis, Laithwaite’s and an outstanding Whisky Exchange experience, I found myself in the Borough Market looking for, well, a drink. I mean, really. One can only take so much teasing – Vinopolis was closed, Laithwaite’s didn’t have any tastings and neither did the Whisky Exchange. A llama can only take so much.

Jancis Robinson’s Purple Pages has a helpful (http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/travel050228.html) piece about experiencing all that is wine in London and deep into it at the bottom, there is mention made of The Pantry – a little hole-in-the-wall spot that specializes in wines from England and Wales.

Sit down I did and right away I had two samples in front of me. It was a beautifully hot day, so sitting on the little bar stools on the pavement (they’re not called sidewalks here) was a great idea. The only part which didn’t work out was sucking in the cigarette smoke of those sitting outside the stores nearby. It tends to interfere with one’s tasting experience – and the lovely Pantry pourers recognized this and commiserated with me.

In the picture below there are two wines – on the left is the sparkling rosé from the Bolney Wine Estate in East Sussex and the right is Meopham Valley’s, hailing from Kent – half way between London and the limestone cliffs of Dover.

Both were excellent examples but I confess to have been smitten by the Meopham Valley. This wine is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, hand harvested and made in the traditional method according to organic standards, using sulphur only as necessary.

It is clear and bright, a pale Chinook salmon hue with a long-lasting creamy mousse. On the nose it’s clean and youthful with medium minus aromas of yeast, green lime and Granny Smith apple.

On the palate it’s dry with an almost off-dry core and rapier acidity. Medium minus body and medium minus alcohol, it has medium plus flavours of lime and lemon citrus, pink grapefruit, summer strawberry and fresh bread. The finish is medium plus.

WSET ‘Very Good’ quality with exceptional acidity – drink now or may be kept for 5-7 to develop that acidity and beautiful yeastiness.

As the pourers, put it – don’t look for any tannins in English wines, but if it’s acidity you’re after, you’ll find it here. Jolly good work, England!

Posted in Chardonnay, England, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine | Leave a comment

Rosé, Clos du Soleil, Similkameen Valley VQA, Okanagan, BC, 2012, 12.5% abv.

Posted on July 21, 2013 by winellama

Another purchase from a recent trip to the Similkameen and given my extreme jet lag on this hot summer day, I’ve decided it’s a great way to recover from cross-Atlantic flights.

Clear and bright, medium salmon with even and light legs, on the nose this wine is clean and youthful with aromas of field berry, soft jalapeño, ripe strawberry and the lightest brush of green bough.

On the nose, it’s dry, has medium plus acidity, a tiny scrape of soft tannin, medium alcohol, with medium intensity flavour characteristics of more field berry, strawberry, raspberry and piquant red pepper.

Crisp, juicy, lovely depth for a rosé, flavourful and refreshing, this is solid WSET Good.

Versatile with a picnic of cheeses, crackers, fresh fruit, nuts and meats, it’s made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – and worth another trip to the valley to this outstanding artisanal winery.

Posted in BC, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, ROSE | Leave a comment

Domaine Naudet, Sancerre AC, Loire, France, 2011, 13% abv, 12.99 UK lbs

Posted on July 20, 2013 by winellama

History was made today, but were we ever early. Ahead of our time. Waaay bright and bushy-tailed.

We arrived from St. Alban’s in Long Eaton near Nottingham well in advance of the U20 Women’s Rugby Nations Cup match between England and Canada. We’d thought it was to start at 2pm, but arrived to find out we’d misunderstood and in fact we had to wait until 5pm.

No problem. We staked our place, got out the Canadian flag and the maple leafs. And when one has a fine picnic and a bottle of Sancerre to enjoy with it, time flies.

This wine is clear and bright, pale lemon and I assumed it had light legs. Hard to tell though as we enjoyed it in classy paper cups.

On the nose, it is clean and youthful with medium plus intense aromas of gooseberry, guava, light lemon, sweet green grass and gentle herb.

The palate is dry with a satisfyingly high acidity, medium alcohol and medium minus body. The medium plus flavour characteristics include more gooseberry, guava, some lychee, green hay, orange and lemon drop and knock off with a medium plus finish.

Juicy, crisp and refreshing on this 30c day, it was a solid WSET ‘Very Good’ – beautifully acidic and perfectly fabulous wine for the picnic.

And as I’d mentioned, history was made – to top it all off, the Canadian girls beat the British team handily – the first time a men’s or women’s team had EVERY done so in rugby history at any level.

Well played, all around.

Posted in France, Sauvignon Blanc, WHITE | Leave a comment

Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, Chiltington, West Sussex, England 2007, 12% abv, 43 UK pds

Posted on July 17, 2013 by winellama

It was an epic wine tourism day in London that started with a look at the wine selection in Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly and then a quick chat with a lovely young woman at Justerini & Brooks on St. James Street. Soon we ended up at Berry Bros & Rudd.

England’s oldest wine and spirits importer since the 1600s, suppliers to the Royal family for centuries and with 2 acres of cellars beneath the store front, we purchased this bottle from the lovely men at Berry Bros & Rudd who were so kind and helpful with their knowledge, free samples of King’s Ginger and keen photo-taking abilities. I had wanted to buy a Nyetimber and since they aren’t exported to Canada, this would be my big chance.

Clear and bright, medium lemon and with bubbles noted, on the nose this wine is clean, and has medium intense aromas of brioche, yeast, citrus, ripe Macintosh and yellow apples, quince, minerals and is youthful.

On the palate it’s dry, has super high and biting acidity, a long lasting creamy mousse, medium minus alcohol, medium minus body and medium plus intense flavour characteristics of more ripe apple, apple pie and apple filled danish, lemon creme and pink grapefruit. The finish is a strong medium plus.

This is WSET ‘outstanding’ sparkling wine from Chiltington, far south of London near Brighton and toward the southern coast. Made in the traditional method by winemaker Cherie Spriggs (who interestingly has spent time in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island!), it’s a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.

We enjoyed this bottle immensely with a lunch of brown sourdough, brie, stilton, pâté, grapes and cherries at the U20 Women’s Rugby tournament in Long Eaton where Canada prevailed over South Africa 37-0.

Posted in Chardonnay, England, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine | Leave a comment

Chateau Cantin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC, France, 14.5% abv, 23.99 GBP

Posted on July 16, 2013 by winellama

Another lovely wine available at the neighbourhood Waitrose. Seriously, for my Canadian readers, just imagine picking up a Grand Cru Bordeaux at Safeway.

Ah, in my dreams.

This classic Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend is clear and bright, deep ruby and has legs. On the nose, it’s developed and clean with medium plus intense aromas of blackberry, blackberry vine, cassis, and tar.

The palate is dry with medium plus acidity and soft tannins with the slightest ever grip. The alcohol is high and takes a bit of time to blow off, but the body is medium and the flavour intensity is medium plus, consisting of more blackberries, blueberries, vine and field berries as well as chocolate, tar, cedar bough, liquorice and leather.

The long finish helps bumpt this to a WSET Very Good plus Grand Cru AC wine.

Iwasn’t sure, so I looked up what the difference is between Saint-Emilion AC and the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AC. First, the yield is restricted to 55 hL per hectare rather than 65. The grapes (except the Merlot) must be harvested at a higher must weight (189 grams of sugar per liter vs 180), the finished wine must reach a minimum alcohol level of 11.5% ABV rather than 11% and lastly, the wine must be stored by the producer for an extra 14 months before being released for sale.

Now if I can only teach my sister how to hold her wine glass.

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, France, Merlot | Tagged cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, france, merlot, red wine, Saint Emilion, saint Emilion Grand Cru AC | Leave a comment

Campbells, Rutherglen Muscat, NV, Australia, 17.5% abv, 12 UK pds, 37.5 CL

Posted on July 16, 2013 by winellama

Shopping in the St. Alban’s Waitrose this past week, I was shocked and awed by the selection of still and fortified wines, sparklings and spirits available at what is essentially the British equivalent to a Whole Foods.

And with this, we have proof – a Rutherglen Muscat. This half bottle of Australian dessert wine that is the basic level of the classification, followed by Classic, Grand and Rare Muscat, is made with the Muscat petits grains rouge and aged for between 2-5 years. It’s clear and bright, deep amber and has viscous legs noted.

On the nose, it’s clean and developed with pronounced aromas of raisins, dried apricots, cloves, toffee and Demerara sugar.

The palate is fully sweet (RS 180-240g/l) and the acidity is high. It has medium plus body and the fortification is high at 17.5% abv. This wine has intense flavour characteristics of burnt sugar, raisins, dried apricots, caramel, dates and orange rind. The finish is medium plus.

A WSET ‘very good’ wine, I think this is a real steal at only 12 British pounds. There is WAAAaaay more variety here for the average cork dork and of course, it’s at a better average price than what we are charged in Canada (shocker, not). Canucks would not be surprised to know almost every wineshop keeper I’ve spoken to in the past week has somehow managed to work into the conversation how archaic our wine laws are.

Posted in Australia, FORTIFIED WINE, Rutherglen Muscat | Leave a comment

Esprit de Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru AC, 2011, 13%, 12.99 UK pds

Posted on July 15, 2013 by winellama

It’s been a long day with Robin Hood. Nottingham was lovely, and hot. Hot, very hot. Given this, I’m sure Maid Marian would have approved of our decision to finish the day off with a little Chablis.

This wine was purchased at Waitrose and produced by the Cave des Vignerons de Chablis. The Chardonnay vines used to create this Chablis are planted on the right and left banks of the Serein River, on those famous Kimmeridgian clay soils.

Clear and bright, deep lemon, with light legs noted. It’s youthful and clean with medium plus intense aromas of lemon creme, Granny Smith apple, quince, minerals and rocks. The creaminess comes from the wine being matured on fine lees in a combination of tanks and small oak barrels for 12 months.

On the palate, it’s dry with high acidity, medium alcohol and medium minus body with medium plus flavour characteristics echoed on the palate of lemony cream and yellow grapefruit, yellow and green apples, Asian pear and a beautiful minerality. The finish is a satisfying medium plus.

Really WSET ‘very good’ wine – great acidity and minerality, well balanced fruit and complexity. And what a deal.

Steal from the rich and give to the poor. Share this Chablis with everyone.

Posted in Chardonnay, France, WHITE | Leave a comment

Viognier, Yalumba, Eden Valley, Australia, 2012, 14% abv, 13 GBP

Posted on July 15, 2013 by winellama

Jolly good. Yes, the Winellama is in England. One of my first shopping forays was to get myself to a Waitrose and pick up some wine.

Not only was it the hottest day of the year in London, England, it was also ‘Pimm’s o’clock’ here at the same time in St. Alban’s.

But after that party passed, we opened up this Aussie Viognier from Yalumba to enjoy with barbecued chicken wraps and the last vestiges of the warmed British summer evening.

Clear and bright, medium lemon-green with light legs noted, on the nose the wine has aromas of bitter almonds, apricot kernel, lime rind and yellow grapefruit.

On the palate it’s dry with high alcohol and medium plus acidity and solid medium body. The medium flavour intensity includes lots of stone fruit – white peach, apricot and pear – citrus and a medium finish.

This wine is only WSET Good. We’d hoped it may be a little better than this, but did manage to completely enjoy it with grilled chicken wraps and fresh veggies. The company helped.

Posted in Australia, Viognier, WHITE | Tagged Australia, Eden Valley, viognier, white wine, yalumba | 2 Comments

Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan, Alexander Valley, Magnum, 2005, 13.5% abv

Posted on July 12, 2013 by winellama

On an evening not so long ago, we opened three bottles with two friends and one blind tasting ensued.

One of us doesn’t drink pretty much anything. I know, can you imagine? He is one disciplined dude. So, we felt it was likely a safe bet to leave him in charge of bringing each of us 3 glasses to taste.

One wine was a little too old and it showed. Mas de la Rouviere, Domaine Buman, Bandol AC, France, 2004, 14% abv – for C$39 this Mourvèdre was way past its prime and quite frankly, a disappointment. Clear and bright, medium garnet with legs noted, on the nose it was dead. There was a little bit of stewed plums, but we had to search hard for that. On the palate, there were wet leaves, mushroom, cooked plums and old leather. With no fruit and no finish, it was simply WSET ‘acceptable’. I wonder if it had been stored incorrectly prior to purchase; it tasted cooked.

One wine was a little young (but beautiful nonetheless) – Chateau de Cedre, Malbec, Cahors AC, France, 2009, 13% – for C$36.99 it was clear and bright, deep inky purple with legs noted. On the nose, we picked out violets, blackberry and blueberry, plum, greener tannins, and a medium acidity. Developing, on the palate, more black fruit followed- with black cassis, blackberry and field berries. WSET ‘gooD’ (the D end of good verging on ‘very good’), it was extremely popular with one of our group in particular, ahem, Tina.

But the third wine was juuuuuust right. Actually, it was WSET ‘outstanding’ – Jordan’s magnum of 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley was clear and bright, deep ruby with legs noted.
On the nose, it showed black currant and blackberry vine with raspberry and some tender greenness. The same medium plus intense flavour characteristics shone through along with light leather, smooth tannins, violets, vanilla spice and oak. With a medium plus acidity, this wine was beautifully integrated, complex and balanced and will only continue to get better. Only wish I had more…

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, RED, Sonoma | 2 Comments

Chateau Carbonnieux, Grand Cru Classe du Graves, Pessac-Leognan AC, France, 2009, 13% abv, $C60

Posted on July 10, 2013 by winellama

In October 2012, I got up at 5am to purchase this wine at the local Bordeaux release upon the recommendation of my good friend, Chef Parker. So, who else to enjoy it with at a local Japanese ‘tall food’ restaurant tonight but said Chef and assorted hangers-on.

A classic white Bordeaux blend of Sauvignon 70% and Semillon 30%, this wine earned a 90-92 points in the Wine Advocate and it was well-suited to the Japanese food we enjoyed – save for the ginger beef ribs. The ginger changed the wine making it metallic, but it went superbly with the creamy sable fish and spiced prawns, oysters and sushi with avocado, salmon and shrimp.

Clear and bright, deep lemon with even legs note, the wine is clean and has medium plus intense aromas of light yet apparent oak, minerals, lime, bruised yellow apple, honey and freshly cut green hay. Developing, it was barrel aged for 10 months, but in only 30% new oak and stirred on the lees.

The palate is dry with medium plus acidity and medium plus body which will definitely grow with time. The medium plus intense flavours include Asian pear, quince, yellow apple, lime, lemon grass, stones and offers a medium plus finish.

There were 180,000 bottles produced and shipped to eager Bordeaux purchasers around the world. This wine may be enjoyed now or aged for some time to develop the fruit and honey profile. Nicely balanced.

WSET Very Good

Posted in France, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, WHITE | Tagged 2009, Château Carbonnieux, france, Grand Cru Classe du Graves, Pessac-Leognan AC | 2 Comments