Perth Wine Tasters

23/09/2017

05/06/2014

Fabulous Summer Dinner for Perth Area Wine Tasters hosted by Murrayshall House Hotel on Tuesday night. The wines were excellent, the food delicious and the company wonderful. A great night all round, thanks to all the staff for making it a great evening, the service you provided and the lovely private dining room made it a night to remember.

19/05/2014

Perth Wine Tasters - Appelation Wines
Bordeaux Tasting - 13 May 2014

Chateau Haut Maurin Entre Deux Mers Blanc 2012 £9.40 - a fresh Bordeaux white from Semillon and Sauvignon, the nose has the grassy-herbaceousness of the Sauvignon and a lemon note from the Semillon. The two grapes come together in the taste with the Semillon providing more texture and the Sauvignon giving freshness and more fresh green notes.

Chateau Mayne de Bernard Cotes de Bourg 2010 £11.30 - a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend from across the Gironde from the Medoc. The nose has an intriguing chocolate note with the expected blackcurrant in the background. The taste shows complexity in fruit and earthy notes. This is the red of the evening with the freshest acidity which wasn't to everyone in the room's preference but which did bring joy to the majority.

Chateau Lescalle Bordeaux Superior 2010 £10.90 - a Cabernet based blend which is actually produced in the Medoc but is not within the Appellation rules for that region, hence a Bordeaux Superior. The nose is softer than the previous wine which had more Merlot. There is blackcurrant again but wood spice too. The taste has soft and smooth blackcurrant fruit with an earthy note in the finish. Quite complex for the budget.

Chateau Tour Bel Air Haut Medoc 2010 £16.90 - the complexity stepped up with this wine. Another Cabernet based blend which had hints of to***co as well as plums and blackcurrant fruit. There is also some leafiness. The taste confirms the plums and blackcurrants, the tannins are fine and gentle coat your palate and again there is an earthiness and a long elegant finish.

Chateau Magondeau Fronsac 2005 £21.00 - despite being around normal Claret drinking time, this wine was still very austere which suggests that a longer ageing is required, although decanting did release some of the fruit. However, there was generally good feedback re the structure of this wine even though it did not have the ready fruit of the previous wine. It's amazing what a huge range of styles of wine Merlot can make. The nose and palate were dominated by dark fruit and wood spice and the tannins were grippy.

Chateau d'Arsac 2010 £31.00 - one of the oldest vineyards in the Medoc at around 900 years old. The blend is 60% Cabernet and 40% Merlot. The biggest wine of the evening in terms of texture and although it wasn't at ideal drinking age, the fruit structure was very obvious. So, plums and blackcurrants again on both nose and palate with fine tannins which should release a beauty even in 5 years time but longer ageing would be even better.

Chateau Hurardin Cerons 2010 £19.00 - the dessert wine to finish had lovely notes of honey, flowers (perhaps honeysuckle) and a tangy fruit note which almost reminded us of marmalade. The taste confirmed more tangy citrus fruit with an overlaid honey/syrup layer. Despite the sweetness, there was some acidity on the finish which provided some freshness to the palate and made us want to have another drink.

Summary - 5 Bordeaux reds which were bookended by a fresh white and a luscious dessert wine. The d'Arsac hit the top quality levels but the majority in the room were behind the Tour Bel Air in terms of 'bang for your buck'.

05/03/2014

PAWT Wine Tasting Notes
Alsace - Tuesday 11th February 2014

Crémant d’Alsace, Cuvée Julien Dopff au Moulin
Pinot Blanc is the dominant grape variety in the sparkling wines of Alsace.

Tasting Note
Dry, full-bodied, elegant sparkling wine with good length and weight.
“...a rather delicious wine. Floral aromas give way to ripe peach and pear fruit, along with a bready note and a long tangy finish in this attractive French fizz.” Susie Barrie MW - Decanter 25th Sep 2013
"A very pleasant surprise! Lively in the mouth, zesty and refreshing. Will definitely buy again as a great aperitif or drinking on a sunny summer day."

Vinification
The grapes are carefully hand picked. At the press house the whole, uncrushed grapes are placed directly into pneumatic presses. Pressing is limited to give 100 liters of juice from 150kg of grapes (compared with 130kg of grapes for the still Alsace wines). The first fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The rest of the winemaking process follows the traditional method. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle. Remuage or riddling is made on computer programmed gyropalettes. "D'gorgement" (the removal of the yeast sediment) is made after 18 months.
Dominant Grape: 50% Pinot Blanc + 50% Auxerrois
Drink Dates: Within two years of purchase
Origin: Alsace, Lorraine
Alcohol Level: 12.0%
Style 1 (of 9): Bone dry - 7g/Lt
Closure type: Champagne cork
Price: £ 11.95

PINOT BLANC 2011 - 12%
DOMAINE DU BOUXHOF

Chateau is in Mittelwhr, a few miles north of Colmar on the Alsace Wine Route

The wine is elegant and balanced, supple but dry
Ideal all-purpose wine for starters, white meat, ham, quiche, fish and salads
Bought it for 6 euros from the producer in July last year

KB Kuentz-Bas 2011
Delicious sylvaner-dominated blend made with fusion cooking in mind.
This little field blend has a clean, lemon and slate nose. It’s light, crisp, and the lemon/lime and honeysuckle make it a no-brainer on a warm spring afternoon. Chill it down and chug it.
This may be one of the prettiest field blends we’ve come across – 60% Sylvaner, 15% Auxerrois, 15% Chasselas, 10% Muscat.

Dominant Grape: Sylvaner
Drink Dates: Now to 2015
Origin: Alsace, Lorraine
Alcohol Level: 12.5%
Style 2 (of 9): Dry
Closure type: Cork,
Vintage: 2011
Price: £ 7.95

RIESLING 2011 - 12.5%
ROBERT BLANCK - OBERNAI
Bas Rhin region of Alsace near Strasbourg, at the top of the Alsace Wine Route
Aromas of lemon, grapefruit and jasmine. Mineral finish, traces of kerosene may be noted.
Well-balanced between alcohol, fruit and acidity. Good with strong hard cheese (not blue) and oriental cuisine.

Bought for 7 euros from the producer in July last year

Riesling, Selection de Vieilles Vignes, Trimbach, 2009

This has the weight and concentration of flavour of a grand cru with remarkable length of flavour, along with the precision and purity that marks out very top Alsace riesling. It makes a sublime partner to all manner of fish, poultry and vegetable dishes, with the fresh acidity to stand up to lightly spicy food too.

Dominant Grape: Riesling
Drink Dates: Now to 2020
Origin: Alsace
Alcohol Level: 13.5%
Style 2 (of 9): Dry
Closure type: Cork, natural
Price: £ 17.00 (Wine Society) or £26 from BBR

The Times 29th Jun 2013
"Trimbach is one of the great Alsace wine houses, and Trimbach’s vines survived the hot 2009 vintage to produce a low yield of concentrated grapes. With so much aromatic, steely riesling pizzazz and a green apple and angelica-spiked finish, this white is best with a vegetable terrine or white fish with a cream and herb sauce. - Jane MacQuitty"

"Clear, pale yellow, slight greenish tinge. Clean nose, citrus fruits, mineral but quite floral too. Hint of petrol. Full palate, very pure, still quite acid, not quite as dry as I expected. Long finish. It's very approachable now but I think this will certainly develop nicely over the next few years."
Mr Andrew B De Csillery (24-Dec-2012)

Moselle Les Hautes Bassières, Château de Vaux, 2011
A lovely light pinot, soft and tasty with cherry-like fruit and a lot of charm.
Dominant Grape Pinot Noir
Drink Dates Now to 2015
Origin Alsace, Lorraine Alcohol Level 12.5%
Style Light Bodied Closure type Cork, natural
Vintage 2011 vintage Price £ 11.95 / Bottle

Pinot Noir Réserve Cuve 7, Trimbach 2011
The “Réserve” “Cuve 7” Pinot Noir owes its name to the number of the tank in which it was first produced.
It comes from the best vines, notably from the Rotenberg vineyard in Ribeauvillé and is only produced in the very best years.
More complete and structured, this exceptional Pinot-Noir is expressed through fabulous aromas of red fruits, redcurrants and blackberries.
Very ripe-tasting pinot, rich, full-flavoured, round and deeply attractive.
Pair with : pork, red meats, duck, heartystews, some cheeses…

Dominant Grape Pinot Noir
Drink Dates Now to 2016
Origin Alsace, Lorraine
Alcohol Level: 13.0%
Style Medium Bodied Closure type Cork, natural
Vintage 2011 vintage Price £ 18.50 / Bottle
Available from: Exel wines & Wine Society (Enotria)

Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Eichberg, Domaine Sorg 2011
The Eichberg is a fabulous vineyard for gewurz, always producing opulent wines and François Sorg makes one of the best. His 2011 is rich and powerful.
Powerful, fabulously rich Gewürztraminer from vineyards in the grand cru Eichberg, boasting excellent weight and character. Has lots of fruit, but also elegance and wonderful complexity. Late harvested, with good acidity.

Dominant Grape: Gewurztraminer
Drink Dates: Now to 2024
Origin: Alsace, Lorraine
Alcohol Level: 13.5%
Style 5 (of 9): Medium sweet
Closure type: Cork, natural
Price: £ 18.00 (Wine Soc) £14.40 from Tanners

11/12/2013

13/03/2013

Perth Area Wine Tasters 12th March 2013

Traditional Grapes and Modern Winemakers of Italy

Francesco Cardinala from Valvona and Crolla

1. Ciro Bianco 2011 Ciro DOC £9.99
Grape(s); Greco Bianco
Producer; Librandi
Region; Calabria
This is a fantastic semi-aromatic wine with a fruity nose of white peach, green apple and dried pineapple. Dry with crisp acidity, peach, banana and vibrant yellow apple on the palate. The wine reflects the winery philosophy, with modern, clean, pure fruit, melded together with distinct local character.

2. Pecorino Trabocchetto 2011, Colli Pescaresi IGP £13.95
Grape(s); Pecorino
Region: Abruzzo
Producer: Talamomti
The Pecorino grape is a variety from Abruzzo and Marche in central Italy. This is a variety which has been rescued from extinction. On the nose it has intense bouquet of white pulped fruit and perfumes of ginestre flowers and jasmine. On the palate it has wonderful flavours of ripe pear, white apple and peach, accompanied by a gentle and refreshing acidity.

3. Amedeo 2011 Bianco Di Castosa superior DOC £13.95
Grape(s); Fernanda, Trebbiano, Trebbianello and Garganega
Producer: Cavalchina
Region: Veneto
The Garganega is partially aged in large oak before blending. It has tropical fruit aromas, pineapple, white flowers and buttery toast. Rich and full bodied on the palate with melon, pineapple and apricots and a dry finish.

4. Ciro Rosso 2010 Ciro DOC £9.99
Grape(s): Gaglioppo
Producer: Librandi
Region:Calabria
The nose is vibrant with bright cherry, violet aromas and a touch leather. Rich middle palate with fresh acidity and tannins, good fruit and spiced balance. A wonderful medium bodied texture combines with superfine tannins. This is elegant with nice fruit expression. As with the white, the red reflects the winery philosophy with modern, clean fruit melded together with distinct local character.

5. Plumbago 2010 IGT Sicilia £13.95
Grape(s): Nero D'Avola
Region: Sicily
Producer: Planeta
This is a single vineyard from one of the most dynamic wineries in the region. Abundance of red fruits like plum and black cherry aromas, ripe blackberry, typical of western Sicily, Nero D'Avola, blended with scents of cocoa and almost sacher cake. Soft tannins and roundness characterize the wine. It is the perfect example of modern style of Nero D'Avola.

6. Torre d'Ortri 2010 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC £14.95
Grape(s): Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara
Region: Veneto
Producer: Torre d'Orti
On the nose it is full of blackcurrant, with dried fruit such as dates and raisins with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate is full bodied with ripe black cherries and blackcurrant with a dry herbal finish, soft and velvety tannins. This is a Ripasso style where 60% of the grapes are freshly pressed and 40% were kept until December, passito style and then crushed.

06/03/2013

Perth Wine Tasters - Tuesday 12th February 2013

Cool Climate Australia – Wine Tasting Notes

With Graeme Broom from Wine Importers Ltd

1. Pewsey Vale Riesling 2011 - Eden Valley South Australia
Clean pale straw-green colour. Rich, ripe floral blossom nose with lime and grapefruit flavours through the riper floral notes. Not quite fully dry with hints of latent petrol to come and typical minerality. A lingering finish with citrus acidity. A great fresh Riesling made for drinking it cool!

2. Tahbilk Marsanne 2010 – Victoria
Pale straw-green. Fresh acidity yet with round and rich spicy, floral aromas of tropical fruit, peach, honeysuckle and melon, cloves and cinnamon. A citrus acidity and flavours through the finish, developing towards rich petrol engine notes…

3. Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2011 – South Australia
Pale straw in colour. Rich texture yet fresh and aromatic; grapefruit, lemongrass with apricot flavour. Good weight and balanced although some alcohol is noticeable through the finish which is also full of persistent fruit.

4. Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2011 - Margaret River
Bright pale lemon yellow with a green tinge. On the nose there are lots of rich ye**ty lemony butter flavours over a background of light oak. Some big soft complex fruit flavours with green apples, pears and hazelnuts through the vanilla, these are well integrated and balanced with a crisp lemon & lime acidity. A lingering finish.

5. Moss Wood Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2009
A ripe ruby crimson colour with some youthfulness. Fresh ripe red fruit, raspberries, plums and cherries with notes of violets. A mid to full palate with soft ripe cherries and plums; a touch of toasty spice. Good depth of flavours. Smooth light tannins with complimentary acidity through the finish.

6. Yalumba Shiraz Viognier Eden Valley 2009
Bright deep red in colour. Showing sweet, fresh and fragrant aromatics of red cherries and plums with a spice and clove complexity. On the palate the wine is rich and softly textured with characters of red fruits, fine spices and cloves. Well balanced acidity and fine tannins. Match with beef bourgignon.

7. Moss Wood 2010 Amy's Blend 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep dark red yet bright and youthful. Light soft approachable aromas of dark berries and violets with a woody spiciness. Full smoothly textured body with dark soft fruit flavours; cedar and earthy spice. Good structured acidity with elegant tannins.

14/02/2013

Big Thank you to Graeme Broom of Wine Importers for the excellent tasting of Cool Climate Oz wines on Tuesday night. Thoroughly enjoyable with some great quality on show. Wine tasting note are to follow as soon as I get the chance to review my awful handwriting..! :)

12/02/2013

To enhance the pleasures of discovering new wines from all over the world - and rediscovering the authentic regional wines through relaxed, informative yet inspired monthly wine tastings.

23/01/2013

Almost there with the 2013 Wine Tasting Programme ....

Dinner Pig Halle in Perth Fri 25 Jan

Graeme Broom (Wine Importers Edinburgh) Tues 12 Feb
Vincent Fusaro (Luvians) Tues 12 Mar
Iain Lindsey (Drinkmonger Pitlochry) Tues 16 Apr
Francesco Cardinale (Valvona & Crolla) Tues 14 May

Summer Dinner Tues 11 Jun

Colin Hynard (Cellar Trends) Tues 10 Sept
Dave Moore (Wildflower Wines) Tues 8 Oct
TBC Tues 12 Nov
Christmas Party Night Tues 10 Dec

23/01/2013

Remember our dinner at Pig Halle in Perth on Friday at 19.30.

Cheques should be sent to Ken - please avoid trying to pay him on the night... :) :)