Black Lion Wine Club - Chenin Blanc and Syrah/Shiraz

A theme dictated by the wine available - and it certainly did not disappoint. What a treat.

• 2013 Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc Heritage 89 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland

  Pale lemon. Medium (+) aromas of peach, pineapple, vanilla, toast, honey, wax. Developing. Dry, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium (+) Body, rich, creamy, vanilla, peach, pineapple, medium (+) finish. Very good quality, nice concentration, good balance between fruit, oak and acidity, good length finish. No hurry to drink - probably in the next 2-3 years.

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• 2008 Eric Morgat Savennières L'Enclos 93 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières

  Medium gold colour. Prounounced intensity aromas of quince, honeycomb, vanilla, wet wool, wax, wet stones. Fully developed. Bone dry, high acidity, medium (+) body and alcohol (14%), pronounced flavours similar to the nose, great complexity, fills the mouth. Long finish. Outstanding wine, drinking beautifully, no hurry to drink up, but I doubt it will improve. Enjoy!

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• 1989 Domaine de Pouvray Vouvray Demi-Sec 92 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray

  Medium lemon with hints of green. Medium (+) aromas of mushroom, cheese, cardboard, wax, lime. Fully developed. Medium dry, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, pronounced flavours of lime, lemon, honey, wax, quince. Long finish. Outstanding wine. Great balance of acidity and developed flavours. Great length and complexity. No hurry to drink but won't improve - already fully developed.

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• 1959 Moulin Touchais Coteaux du Layon 93 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Coteaux du Layon

  Medium gold, with green flashes. Medium (+) intensity aromas of quince, citrus, mushroom, cheese, fruit cake, marzipan, almonds. Fully developed. Medium sweet, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium (+) body, medium (+) flavours, long finish, goes on and on. Amazing balance of acidity, sweetness and fruit, great complexity. Outstanding, drinking beautifully, fully developed so won't improve further but no hurry to drink.

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• 2014 Te Mata Estate Syrah Bullnose 90 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Deep purple colour. Medium (+) intensity pure fruit aromas - bramble, black plum, black pepper, vanilla, smoke, white chocolate. Developing. Dry, high acidity, medium ripe tannins, medium (+) alcohol, full body, pronounced pure fruit, very spices - liquorice, pepper. Long finish. This is very good indeed and has the potential to be outstanding as it develops tertiary complexity.

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• 2009 Wirra Wirra Shiraz RSW 92 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

  Deep ruby. Pronounced intensity aromas of bramble, black plum, black pepper, vanilla, smoke, leather, eucalyptus, menthol, liquorice, prune. Developing. Dry, high acidity, medium (+) tannins, very ripe, high alcohol, full body, pronounced ripe flavours similar to the nose. Long finish. Outstanding quality with potential, fruit and structure, to develop further.

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• 2001 Domaine André François Côte-Rôtie

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  Medium garnet. Hint of dried fruit and floral, but leather, earth, tertiary notes dominate. Fully developed. Dry, astringent, dusty, lacks fruit. Short finish. Sadly past its best.

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• 1997 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  Medium brick colour. Pronounced, complex aromas of olive, leather, earth, vegetal, dried and baked red fruit, liquorice, pepper, Chinese tea. Fully developed. Dry, high acidity, med (+) alcohol, medium (+) body, medium (-) tannins, pronounced, complex flavours similar to the nose. Long, long finish. Balanced, smooth, velvet, very complete. Outstanding quality. This certainly did not disappoint. I would not however keep it too much longer. It's drinking perfectly now and won't improve.

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Wines of the night the Chapelle Hermitage and the Savennières but the Moulin Touchais was pretty special too. Fabulous selection of wines, possibly the best of our tastings so far. Sadly the Côte Rotie was past its best but all the others absolutely sang.