And now for something (slightly) different

16 Berkeley Square
Tasted Friday, December 4, 2009 by Benj with 396 views

Introduction

I hosted a tasting at my house to exhibit a selection wines that, for the general consumer, are somewhat off the beaten track. The Musar was pretty much everyone's WOTN, sort of unsurprisingly I guess. A great evening, with lots of good discoveries for many who attended.

Flight 1 (9 Notes)

  • 2008 Quinta de Naide Vinho Verde Branco 85 Points

    Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde

    Very good - slightly frizzante, very light with lots of soft flowers, citrus and a touch of white peach. An aperitif wine, for sure, but well made, and for £6.50 a bottle, a pretty good value.

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  • 2007 Chapel Down Bacchus 88 Points

    United Kingdom, England, Kent

    Very good - obvious grass on the nose mingles with melon and elderflower, which come through much more on the palate, where they are joined by a ton of apples. The acid is pretty good but might be nicer a little higher. Ok finish. Really pretty wine, but doesn't quite warrant the £10 price tag.

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  • 2008 La Chamiza Torrontés Polo Amateur 82 Points

    Argentina, Mendoza

    Very, very typical Torrontes, plus a nice creaminess on the nose. A little nondescript, sadly. 13% alcohol could be a little better-integrated.

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  • 2007 Jasci Pecorino Atteso Terre di Chieti IGT 70 Points

    Italy, Abruzzi, Terre di Chieti IGT

    Very, very odd. Lots of different, unusual flavours, most notably a finish of burnt caramel, but all fighting with each other, and pretty hollow on the mid palate. Certainly interesting, but not my thing at all.

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  • 2007 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir 82 Points

    Germany, Pfalz

    Disappointing. Old-world style Pinot Noir flavours, with soft red fruit and a slight earthiness, but dull and lacking in flavour, pretty bland from start to finish. Nice enough for a summertime easy-drinker, but at £11, not worth the money.

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  • 2002 Chateau Musar 90 Points

    Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

    My first Musar and a real treat. I was somewhat nervous, as this is such a polarising wine, but I think I'm firmly on the side of the supporters - this wasn't as oxidised as I had feared - it's clearly there, but it's not overwhelming, and doesn't hide the excellent focused fruit and tobacco and herb notes. Flavours come and go quite tantalisingly. I will be trying some older vintages.

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  • 2005 Millton Malbec Single Vineyard Te Arai Vineyard 89 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Gisborne

    In line with my earlier note, but slightly less menthol. This is really well made wine, very good stuff.

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  • 2007 Bodega El Esteco Tannat Don David Reserve 88 Points

    Argentina, Valles Calchaquíes, Salta, Cafayate

    Very tannic on first opening, as expected, but decanted for 90 minutes, the tannins had calmed down and the wine become fairly approachable. This has a lot of good fruit in it and I'd be interested to try it again in 5 years. The Don David range is really impressing me - rich, solidly made wines at very reasonable prices. £6.75 / bottle - excellent!

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  • 2000 Crown Estates Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos 90 Points

    Hungary, Tokaji

    Astonishingly good considering the price! A ton of botrytis and incredible acidity, sweet apricot and marmalde like so many wines of this stale, a reasonable bitterness (some people didn't like this so much, I loved it) - this is the perfect lighter dessert wine. It's not that thick or sweet, and the flavour isn't as complex as more expensive examples, but it is very, very good! £13 / 50cl, why didn't I buy more?

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