Tasting with Jancis Robinson MW on 18 October 2024
When you are getting involved in the world of wine, you notice that the more you try and learn, the more you perceive that you know little and need to study a lot. Together with colleagues with whom I am studying for the DipWSET at the Austrian Wine Academy, I had the privilege to participate in a great tasting of 17 great wines, selected and explained by Jancis Robinson MW. This was preceded by a signing of her 5th edition of the Oxford Companion to Wine, a compendium not to be missed by any wine lovers. What a fantastic experience this was!
What was tasted?
- Nyetimber, Brut “Tillington Single Vineyard” 2014, West Sussex, England. A great sparkling wine that outshines many Champagnes.
- Danbury Ridge Wine Estate, Chardonnay 2021, Essex, England. A bit heavily oaked for my taste, great acidity.
- Kumeu River Wines, Chardonnay “Hunting Hill” 2017, Kumeu, New Zealand. A wine made by Michael Brajkovich MW in a Burgundy style.
- Estate Argyros, Santorini “Cuvée Monsignori”, 2020, Santorini, Greece. An Assyrtiko allegedly made from 200 year old vines. No oak. Very nice wine.
- The Sadie Family Wines, Skerpioen 2022, Swartland, South Africa. Vineyard close to the coast, beautiful Chenin Blanc with some Palomino.
- Niepoort Vinhos, Tiara 2021, Douro, Portugal. A white wine, made from white Port varieties, aged 12 months in oak. Long fermentation.
- Bodegas Cota 45, Agostado Cortado 2017, Spain. An unfortified Sherry made from Permo, Uva Rey and 20% Palomino. 6 months under flor, 40 months aged on the lees. The flor disappears naturally without fortification. A delicious alternative to Palo Cortados. 14% ABV.
- Weingut Maximin Grünhaus, Riesling Spätlese “Abtsberg, Metesdorf” 2023, Mosel, Germany. Maximin von Schubert makes wonderful Rieslings, this one (a bit too young) is no exception. Light, refreshing, Mosel at its best. Very pale, very young, nicely balanced. Only 7% ABV.
- Sanchez Romate, Palo Cortado “Escondido 1/12”, Jerez, Spain. A typical, nice Palo Cortado, 15 years old. 12 barrels (butts) made, pure Palomino.
- Racines Wines, Pinot Noir “Sanford & Benedict Vineyard” 2020, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California, USA. Vineyards planted in the 1970s and ’80s. 2/3 whole bunch pressing. 19 months matured in oak. Nicely balanced wine. Not allowed to call themselves Santa Rita Hills because of a conflict with Chile pretending Santa Rita was theirs first… So it’s Sta. Rita.
- Bodegas Campos Eliseo – François Lurton, Contracorriente 2023, Toro, Spain. François Lurton is swimming against the stream (contra corriente), presenting a Tempranillo that is more elegant, a bit gamey on the nose. Organic viticulture. No oak. Densely planted (6.000 vines/ha.).
- Domaine de Cébène, Les Bancèls 2020, Faugères, Languedoc, France. Made by the oenologue of the Bad Boy of Thunevin. Mainly Syrah, with some Grenache and Carignan. Vineyard on schist, on north facing slope (escaping a bit the global warming issues). Rather tannic, but nice.
- Ridge Vineyard, Zinfandel “Pagani Ranch” 2022, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA. Vineyards northwest of Sonoma town. Old vines that were never pulled out – stemming from pre-prohibition times. 82% Zinfandel, with some Alicante Bouschet and a bit Mourvèdre. 14 months in oak barrels. A great wine, leaves the palate clean and fresh. Ridge Vineyards is one of the few wineries that lists all ingredients on the back label.
- Vina Don Melchor, Don Melchor 2017, Puente Alto, Alto Maipo Valley, Chile. The flagship of the Concha y Toro group (Don Melchor Concha y Toro was the founder of the group). Gravel soil, well drained. Comparable to Pauillac. Vines more than 30 years old, Cabernet Sauvignon. Stays 15 months in oak barrels (2/3 new). The Andes provide some cooling at night. 14,5% ABV.
- Bodega Mendel, Unus 2010, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina. A small winery, basically a “one man’s work” from Lujan de Cujo. Old Malbec vines, late harvest and blended. 15 months in oak (50% new). Very nice wine. 14,5% ABV.
- Château Suduiraut, Château Suduiraut 2017, Sauternes, France. This AXA-owned winery, neighbour to Yquem, produces lovely sweet wines, and this was no exception. 140 gr residual sugar. Extremely low yields (only 10hl/ha), harvested by passing through the vineyards several times. 18 months in oak. Just wonderful, but a bit young.
- Les Vins Parce Frères, Rivesaltes Ambré “20 ans d’âge” 2002, Rivesaltes, Roussillon, France. Made with Grenache gris, Grenache white and Macabéu (Viura), this fortified wines aged in oak (not entirely filled for some oxidative “Rancio” notes) for 20 years, boasting nice sweet walnut notes and more. Great and rare experience.
#vinho #winetasting #degustação #wine #tastingsbymichael #degustacao #tasting #wineeducation