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The Wine Gang
London
Tasted Saturday, November 3, 2012 by davestenton with 849 views
Flight 1 - Corney & Barrow (7 Notes)
Flight 2 - Oregon Wine Board (8 Notes)
2009 Bachelder Chardonnay Mineralité de l'Oregon Willamette Valley
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Pear and a little creamy oak on the nose. Full-bodied and very ripe fruit but refreshing acidity. Elegant despite its size. Very good. 17/20.
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2010 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Nose suggests quite dark fruit - plum - and some oak. Oak very prominent on the palate too. Chewy and very dry finish. Needs time, I think. 16.5. 2014+
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2010 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Cherry, vanilla. Chewy and a little tart. 16/20. 2013+
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2007 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Select
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
Herbaceous nose with a little tomato leaf. More harmonious than the Dom. Drouhin and Sokol Blosser but still a little tart. Dusty tannins. 16.5/20.
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2007 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Select
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
A little strawberry on the nose. Fuller and rounder than the Chehalem. Silky too. Savoury but not tart. Good. 17/20.
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2009 Lemelson Vineyards Pinot Noir Thea's Selection
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Oaky, brooding nose. Quite dark fruit. But supple and ripe. No depreciation in quality vs. the more expensive Oregon Pinots here. Good backbone of acidity. Good value (in relative terms). 16.5/20.
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2008 Brooks Pinot Noir Janus
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Yeasty, oaky nose. Some cherry. Quite a bit of body and structure. Ok. 16/20.
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2008 North Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Leafy nose. Quite dark fruit. Dry finish. Good. 16.5/20.
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Flight 3 - Waitrose (3 Notes)
2011 Bodegas Valdesil Godello Sobre Lías
Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras
Lovely aromas of herbs, white flowers and freshly cut grass. Palate is very mineral with bracing acidity. Long. Very classy. Excellent (as are earlier vintages). 17/20.
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2010 Hahndorf Hill Winery Chardonnay Prominent Hill
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Fresh and floral nose. Quite a broad palate and a little leaden-footed. Good fruit but a little indistinct. 16/20.
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2011 Domaine de la Croix de Chaintres Saumur-Champigny
France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny
Lovely herbaceous lift to the nose. Juicy and supple with an interesting tobaccoey tinge to the finish. Ripe and generous. Great value. 16.5/20.
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Flight 4 - Marks & Spencer (3 Notes)
2010 Wither Hills Pinot Noir Clocktower Marlborough
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Sweet cherry fruit on the nose. Sweet palate too; verging on sickly. Amorphous. 15/20.
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2009 Humberto Canale Merlot Estate
Argentina, Patagonia
Plum and vanilla aromas. Sweet fruit but it's a little stewed. Acidity is a little spiky too. Quite chewy but there's an attractive herbal quality to the finish. 15.5/20.
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2009 Renato Ratti Langhe Nebbiolo
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Floral nose with rose petals. Masses of teeth-coating tannin just now but no shortage of acidity. Black cherry and vanilla - just a hint of tobacco. Good! 16.5/20. 2013+
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Flight 5 - Lea & Sandeman (9 Notes)
2011 Terras d'Alter Alvarinho Terra d'Alter
Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Grapefruit aromas. Then some grapefruit and citrus on the palate. Quite steely too. Zesty and appetising. Good value. 16.5/20.
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2011 Lea & Sandeman Bourgogne Blanc
France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc
Fresh, quite delicate nose. Crisp, apple-y palate. Nice texture. Very fresh. Good. 16.5/20.
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2010 Supernatural Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc The Supernatural
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
Quite pure (rather than pungent) gooseberry aromas. But the fruit has a slightly tinned quality and there's an unattractive asparagus note lurking in the background. No thanks. 15/20.
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2010 Pena Das Donas Godello Ribeira Sacra Almalarga Barrica
Spain, Galicia, Ribeira Sacra
Steely and mineral with the oak lending a creaminess to the finish. Not quite as fresh as the Valdesil Godello I tasted a little earlier though. 16.5/20.
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2010 Paul et Marie Jacqueson Rully 1er Cru La Pucelle Blanc
France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Rully 1er Cru
Palate is quite broad. Also savoury and slightly chalky in terms of texture. Long and stylish. 17/20.
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2010 Terras d'Alter Alfrocheiro Terra d'Alter
Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Bright fruit. Deceptively tannic but still juicy and refreshing and, above all, FUN. 16/20.
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2010 Penas das Donas Mencía Ribeira Sacra Verdes Matas
Spain, Galicia, Ribeira Sacra
Consistent with previous encounters with this wine: savoury but fresh. Good length. Fantastic value; pound-for-pound I think this might be the best Mencia going. 17/20.
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2007 Bodegas y Viñedos Montecastro Ribera del Duero Montecastro y Llanahermosa
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Dark cherry aromas. Then quite a rich palate with plum and a hint of dark chocolate but no excess oak. Fresh too but needs a little time. 17+. 2014+
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2005 Collemattoni Brunello di Montalcino
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Brooding nose with lots of dark fruit and a little yeast. Chunky but ripe tannins. Round. Good length. Chocolate-y. 17/20.
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Flight 6 - Wines from Spain (1 Note)
2010 Descendientes de José Palacios Bierzo Pétalos
Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo
Plum, damson and black cherry. A little chewy but lighter and fresher than the previous two vintages and should improve in bottle. 16.5+
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Flight 7 - Sud de France (1 Note)
2007 Domaine Treloar Côtes du Roussillon Tahi
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon
Nose is meaty with a little tapenade. Blackcurrant predominantly on the palate and good linear acidity. But the fruit is very ripe; I'm not tasting much in terms of terroir. 16/20.
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Flight 8 - Berry Bros & Rudd (3 Notes)
2009 Hiedler Riesling Steinhaus
Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal
Floral (honeysuckle) nose with a slighly smoky undertow. A little sherberty on the palate but also quite mineral. Real teeth-tingling acidity. Good. 17/20.
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2011 Benito Santos Albariño
Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
Some peach and apricot on the nose. Then a fairly neutral palate - bit of apple - with moderate acidity. Ok. 16/20.
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2010 Peregrine Pinot Noir
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
Brett or a touch of reduction? Something is masking the fruit aromas. But the palate is ok: cherry fruit with a silky mouthfeel. Bright fruit flavours but not that pure. 16.5/20.
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Flight 9 - South West France (1 Note)
2011 Domaine d'Escausses Gaillac Cuvée des Drilles
France, Southwest France, Gaillac
Now here's a wine with bags of personality. All sorts of aromas: red fruit, menthol, tobacco, blackcurrant leaf. Then a juicy, supple palate with a savoury core. Good fun. And great value. 16.5/20.
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Flight 10 - New Zealand (9 Notes)
2010 Woollaston Estates Riesling
New Zealand, South Island, Nelson, Waimea Plains
Chewy and a touch too sweet. 15.5/20.
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2010 Mt. Difficulty Riesling Medium Target Gully Central Otago
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
A little sickly sweet; where's the acidity?! 16/20.
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2011 Esk Valley Chenin Blanc Hawke's Bay
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
Green apple with a little honey and then a squeeze of zesty citrus to enliven the finish. Fresh and elegant. 17/20.
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2010 Woollaston Estates Pinot Noir
New Zealand, South Island, Nelson, Waimea Plains
Black cherry and a little cola on the nose - hang on, maybe it's cherry cola? Either way this is a pretty generic NZ Pinot with not much to get excited about. 16/20.
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2009 Delta Vineyard Pinot Noir
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Creamy nose with fresh strawberries. But then a little thin and tart. Seems I got on better with this wine when I tasted it earlier in the year. 15.5/20.
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2010 Waipara Hills Pinot Noir
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
Roasted coffee aromas. Sweet, slightly cloying fruit. Jammy. 15/20.
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2010 Quartz Reef Pinot Noir
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
Nose is fairly mute. Red cherry and strawberry but also quite savoury. Taut and sinewy and a little chewy just now. But hopefully it will fill out (as I have a couple of bottles stashed away). 16.5+ 2014+
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2010 Ostler Pinot Noir Caroline's Waitaki Valley
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Waitaki Valley
Some spicy oak on the nose. Then soft forest fruit on the supple palate. Drinking nicely now but I don't think it's one for the long-term and seems a little simple for the price. 16.5/20.
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2008 Tinpot Hut Syrah Steam Wharf Road
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
Smoky bacon and a little black pepper on the nose. Nicely sculpted palate with some dusty plums. Warm finish. 16/20.
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Flight 11 - The Wine Society (6 Notes)
2011 The Wine Society White Burgundy
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Villages
Fairly neutral nose. But then a lovely pure palate: quite broad, apple-y and flinty. Very good value. 16.5/20.
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2010 The Wine Society Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons The Society's Exhibition
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Quite a broad palate. Very classic but, right now, not significantly better than The Society's 2011 White Burgundy. 16.5+
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2011 Telmo Rodríguez Godello Valdeorras Gaba do Xil
Spain, Galicia, Valdeorras
Apple, citrus and a little honey. Smoky too. Quite taut. Savoury with an attractive chalky texture. 16.5/20.
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2011 Hatzidakis Winery Assyrtiko Santorini
Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini
Smoky, flinty nose with some grapefruit. Grapefruit on the palate too and there's a real crackle of acidity running through it - like a lightning strike. Great! 17/20.
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2009 Josmeyer Riesling Wine Society Exhibition
France, Alsace
Apple with a little quince. Really refreshing - and so much better than the New Zealand Rieslings on show here. 16.5/20.
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2009 Hilltop Estates Szekszárdi Premium Selection
Hungary, Dél-Pannónia, Szekszárdi
The nose is not dissimilar to a Loire Cab Franc. Attractive palate but it's just a touch too sweet, which reduces freshness. Nearly! 15.5/20.
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Flight 12 - Seckford Agencies (5 Notes)
2011 Coriole Fiano
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
Gently perfumed nose. Taut, fresh palate but a little neutral. 16/20.
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2011 Bremerton Verdelho
Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, Langhorne Creek
Almost like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the nose: grapefruit and gooseberry. Lots of upfront fruit. Chewy. Not exactly subtle. 16/20.
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2010 Waipara Springs Chardonnay
New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
Some toasty oak on the nose. Quite burgundian and fairly complex for the price. Broad, creamy. 16.5/20.
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2010 Paul Cluver Chardonnay
South Africa, Cape South Coast, Elgin
Some creamy oak but also a little lime cordial on the nose. Broad, concentrated palate with citrus and a fair bit of oak. 16.5/20. 2013+
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2011 Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest
South Africa, Cape South Coast, Elgin
Lovely nose with masses of honey. Wow, this is just gorgeous - and impossible not to swallow. Finish lasts 30 seconds plus. Stunning and amazing value. 17.5/20.
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Flight 13 - Piemonte Wines (2 Notes)
2004 SA.PE.RI Barolo
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Some leather, figs and spiced plum on the nose. Quite evolved and not too tannic. Serious, savoury and powerful - Barolo with its boxing gloves on. It's in a really good place just now but no hurry to drink. And in Barolo terms, it's almost a bargain. 18/20. Now-2018.
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2005 Palladino Barolo Riserva Vigna San Bernardo
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
More perfumed and floral than the SA.PE.RI with some violet and rose petals. This is also fairly gentle in terms of tannin (cf. the Barolo norm). Layers of flavour here with tobacco, herbs and bitter dark chocolate and then there's a real crescendo to the finish. Very impressive. 17.5/20. Now-2020.
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Flight 14 - M. Chapoutier (8 Notes)
2010 M. Chapoutier Condrieu Invitare
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
Fairly neutral nose with just a hint of apricot. Very concentrated and quite steely. Long. Not really for me but clearly a very good wine. 17/20.
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2010 M. Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc Chante-Alouette
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
Smoky nose but quite tight just now. Again, very concentrated. Everything is underwraps just now but there's clearly bags of potential for those prepared to wait. 17+ 2015+
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2011 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon
Grapefruit and also quite stony. Broad. Easy drinking. 15.5/20.
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2010 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Rhône Belleruche
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
Soft, plummy palate. Spicy finish. Ok. Reasonable VFM. 16/20.
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2010 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Petite Ruche
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
More serious on the nose than the Belleruche with a little leather and livestock. Black fruit with a herbal fringe to it. Juicy, fresh. Pretty good. 16.5/20.
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2010 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Nose is a little funky. Palate offers a big warm mouthful of fruit. Spicy too. Not subtle. Hot finish. 16/20.
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2010 M. Chapoutier St. Joseph Deschants
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
Dark fruit with lifted liquorice aromas. Brambly, peppery and really fresh. The Northern Rhone appears to be a happy hunting ground in 2010. 16.5/20. 2013+
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2010 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut
France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Lighter and sweeter than the other reds here - strawberry fruit. Nice schisty texture as well. More refreshing than the Rhones. Very good value. 16.5/20.
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2010 Schloss Schönborn Hattenheimer Riesling Rheingau Rielsing Trocken QbA
Germany, Rheingau
Crisp, apple-y nose. Off dry. Zesty and zingy. Decent length. Good. 16.5/20.
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2009 Vins del Massís Catalunya Macizo
Spain, Catalunya
Rich and quite creamy but balanced by the acidity. Complex and really interesting and reminds me of whites from Costers del Segre. Decent now but has potential to develop further. 16.5+
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2009 Domaine Leflaive Mâcon-Verzé
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Verzé
Fresh but a little simple. Doesn't justify its price. 16/20.
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2008 Hyde De Villaine Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Quite leesy aromas with a little passion fruit and mango. Really opulent texture. Long. But, as with the Leflaive, I don't think it justifies its price. 17/20.
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2008 Domaine Cyrot Buthiau Volnay
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay
Sappy red fruit. Structured. Quite spicy towards the finish. Ok. 16/20.
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2011 Achával-Ferrer Malbec
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
Plum, spice and tobacco aromas. Then a lovely fresh palate. Complex too. Benchmark Malbec and decent value. 17/20.
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2009 Psi Ribera del Duero
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Rich and chocolatey. Finish is a little dry. 16.5/20.
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