Monthly Archives: February 2016

Pintia Toro Spain 2008

Posted on February 29, 2016 by

Bodegas Pintia (owned by Vega Sicilia), DO Toro, Spain, 2008 DO Toro: sits astride the Duero, adjoining Rueda to the east.  The climate is extremely dry and continental, with very hot summers and very cold winters, with just 400mm of … Continue reading →

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Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel 2013

Posted on February 25, 2016 by

Ravenswood, Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, North Central Valley, California, 2013 Lodi is 50km due East of San Francisco in the Central Valley; a blend of 77% zinfandel and 23% petite sirah (aka durif), agglomerate cork closure, 14.5% abv, Costco UK, £9 A … Continue reading →

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Dom. Michel Lafarge Meursault 1998

Posted on February 24, 2016 by

Domaine Michel Lafarge, Vendanges Selectionee, AOC/AOP Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France, 1998 (the 1999 was oxidised, tasting like a fino, with bruised apple and nice almond notes). This wine: An ostensibly entry-level Meursault wine, varietal chardonnay, 13% abv, natural … Continue reading →

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Coteaux de Layon 2014

Posted on February 21, 2016 by

Chateau de la Roulerie, AOC/AOP Coteaux de Layon, Loire, France, 2014 Schist and sandstone soils on south-facing slopes above the River Layon, which flows north into the Loire; varietal chenin blanc, natural cork closure, 11% abv, 500ml, Costco, £7.20 WSET … Continue reading →

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Bergerie de L’Hortus 2012

Posted on February 20, 2016 by

Bergerie de L’Hortus, Classique, Pic St Loup, AOC/AOP Coteaux de Languedoc, France, 2012 In 2007 the umbrella AOC Languedoc replaced AOC Coteaux de Languedoc, with an expanded area from the Spanish border to Nimes, covering all the AOCs in between, eg Corbieres, … Continue reading →

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Chapoutier Chante-Alouette 2009

Posted on February 19, 2016 by

Maison Chapoutier, Chante-Alouette, AOC/AOP Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France, 2012 Marsanne – a tendency to flabbiness from modest acidity, but picking early can help; a variety excluded from the more southerly appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Papes’ approved varieties of clairette, grenache blanc, picpoul and … Continue reading →

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Capitain Gagnerot Ladoix 2012

Posted on February 17, 2016 by

Capitain Gagnerot, AOC/AOP Ladoix, Cote de Beaune (Northern reaches), Burgundy, France, 2012 Calcareous soils; hand harvested, fermented in open-topped vessels for 15 days; 13 months aging in oak, of which 10% new; varietal pinot noir, Ardeaseal closure, 13%, en France, … Continue reading →

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Cta. Terre del Barolo 2011

Posted on February 14, 2016 by

Cantina Terre del Barolo, DOCG Barolo, Piemonte, Italy, 2011 This wine is varietal nebbiolo, a variety that buds early and ripens late, needing the best southern exposures on steep slopes. It is thin, yet strong skinned. producing wines with high … Continue reading →

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Dom. Masson-Blondelet Pouilly-Fume 2014

Posted on February 10, 2016 by

Domaine Masson-Blondelet, AOC/AOP Pouilly-Fume, Loire, France, 2014 Fume refers to the grey-smoky hued bloom occurring on the skins when the grapes are ready to pick. Varietal sauvignon blanc, natural cork closure, 12.5% abv, Waitrose, £12 WSET style tasting note Appearance: … Continue reading →

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Ch. Roquefort Bordeaux blanc 2013

Posted on February 8, 2016 by

Chateau Roquefort, Roque Fortissime, AOC/AOP Bordeaux, France, 2013 Varietal sauvignon blanc, 10 months in unspecified oak, long natural cork closure, 12% abv, Waitrose, £10.50 WSET style tasting note Appearance: clear and bright, medium intensity lemon, showing tears. Nose: clean on the … Continue reading →

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