New Year's Day, 2015

Sushi Kondo, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore
Tasted Thursday, January 1, 2015 by Paul S with 258 views

Introduction

This was rather impromptu, but our group found ourselves back at (the renamed) Sushi Kondo for the second New Year's day running. Again, this was more a sake-accompanied lunch than a wine-do, but we somehow managed to squeeze in two bottles courtesy of Chris.

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 1996 R. & L. Legras Champagne Grand Cru Saint-Vincent 90 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    An unsually big, aggressive Blanc de Blancs, this was pretty good though. The nose showed some development on it, with notes of bread and brioche and little nutty accents alongside white fruited aromas playing against a little honeyed backnote. It was certainly an expressive bouquet, but it certainly did not give any hints of how big, round and rich the palate would be, with powerful notes of red apples and sweet lemons on the attack and some buttery brioche on the midpalate couched in a frothy mousse and lots of bright 1997 acidity. There was a lot of extract here, especially towards the grippy, lime zest finish. I have a feeling this will always be a bit divisive - one must like the style. I thought it was pretty good - perhaps just lacking in finesse and nuance. However, while this is starting to mature and was drinking quite decently, it should still benefit from a couple more years in the cellar. It may do better with just that bit more time to integrate and gain complexity.

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  • 2008 Bott-Geyl Riesling Schoenenbourg 90 Points

    France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

    Not bad, but a bit simple at the moment. It nosed almost like an Aussie Riesling, say from one of the good Clare Valley producers - petroleum, limestone minerality and lots of ripe aromas of sweet lemons and limes. The palate had some of that character as well, with big, ripe, juicy flavours of lemons and limes shading into sweeter pineapple notes, all lined with bright, lemon juice acidity. A little blush of alcohol at the finish aside, this was actually quite nicely shaped and balanced, and there was also nice purity and sappiness to the wine. It is rather on the primary side at the moment and a bit simple and probably needs another 4-5 more years in the bottle at least.

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