Another stellar line up of wines on show last night, the runners and riders were as follows:
Domaine Javouhey La Fleuriere Nuits-St-George 2015, Burgundy - opened in honour of St George’s Day. Charged with the logistics of getting the family by car to the ski resort it seemed only reasonable that the route should run through Burgundy on the way out. Picked up a case of this wine while there, it is a lovely drinking wine, if not the best Burgundy ever tasted, but more importantly the memories associated always bring a smile. The return route was via Reims and a visit to Moet’s caves alongside a large number of Japanese tourists, with the tour in French! Bought in France
La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva 2008, again we are drinking memories here. A visit to Rioja many years ago, and passing La Rioja Alta on the way to taste at Vina Tondonia in Haro… well it would have been rude not to pop in and see what was going on. Absolutely beautiful wines, elegant, complex and age worthy, with the 08 just developing some tertiary complexity but retaining its fruity charm. It is going to go a treat with the monkfish Paella that is cooking. Armit Wines/The Wine Society £22.50
Clos de Caillou Les Safres Chateauneuf de Pape Blanc 2011, Southern Rhone. A ‘back of the cellar’ find, and what an exciting wine to unearth! An absolutely stellar producer, and a rare example of a white Chateauneuf. It is a classic blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Rousanne. On first encounter it is a deep golden colour and has a musty nose – possibly past its best? Oh yeah of little faith! A wine of this power and intensity needs time to uncoil from the confines of the bottle, and by the end of the tasting it was showing much more energy and fruit purity. So definitely recommend decanting for a few hours first. Oh, and at 14.5% abv, maybe have something to eat with it too! Bancroft Wines, Approx £50
Girolamo Russo, Etna Rosso ‘a Rina’2016, Sicily. A visit to Europe’s only active volcano is not something you forget quickly, neither is tasting the wines grown at high altitude (1200m above sea level) on its flanks. From the indigenous red varieties 95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio this is an amazing wine is made from organically grown grapes. Similar in style to Pinot Noir (rather than the Nebbiolo often touted) it is elegant and complex with notes of cherries and plums just beginning to make way for leather and tobacco. Beautifully supple with smooth tannins, lovely structure and complex flavours. It will keep improving for a few more years, though the current stash is unlikely to last that long! Mondial Wines, £25.81
Bodegas Luigi Bosca Seleccion de Vistalba Malbec 2017, Mendoza. Inspired by a visit to the winery many years ago; Bosca are pioneers in viticulture and have been instrumental in the development of the wine industry in Lujan de Cujo. At 1000m above sea level the long, cool, sun drenched days are perfect for developing beautiful aromatic complexity with bright damson fruit and hints of violet, silky soft tannins and juicy fresh acidity. Malbec can be a bit mono dimensional but this example is absolutely pulsing with life. Look out for the other varieties they produce which are just as exciting. Pure hedonistic pleasure. Waitrose £17.99
Until next Thursday....x