Riesling & Pinot Noir tasting with Alan from Clifton Wine Cellars

I was very excited about this tasting of my two favourite grape varietals. Sadly, none showed exceptionally, though there were 3 that definitely stood out from the rest.

• 2006 Alan McCorkindale Riesling 81 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara

  Quite mineralic, with pear and honey and a little green leaf on the nose, with a tiny dash of rubber. On the palate the acidity is fairly low at the front and high at the back, which bothers me a little. Alcohol comes through a little on the back too (though this is only 12.5% I think). This would be better with food. For £10 it's a pass for me but it's definitely drinkable, if a little disappointing.

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• 2007 Mitchell Riesling Watervale 71 Points

  Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Watervale

  Nose: tinned peach / pineapple / fruit salad juice, lime peel, unripe apple. Palate: disjointed, alcohol waaay too high at the back, completely obscures the finish, acidity quite low. Just...very disappointing. And for £10, no way.

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• 2005 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Riesling RK 85 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Nose: Elastic bands, honey-dipped apple, classic profile really for this kind of Riesling from this area. Nothing mindblowing or out of the ordinary, but nice and quite delicate. Palate has excellent acidity at the front, isn't too sweet, a little drying on the finish which is nice. Very nice to drink but I wouldn't buy it for the £10.40 it costs.

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• 2007 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Graacher Riesling trocken 88 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Ridiculously pale colour. Nose has a huge dose of roses/turkish delight and perfume, a bit of citrus and tropical fruit. Smells a bit like a Gewurztraminer almost. Good acidity at the front of the palate, but gets a bit alcoholic towards the back. Once you get over this though, it has a nice, quite long finish with an interesting sour orange component right at the end. Much better after having been open an hour - this could probably do with a few years I think.

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• 2008 Trivento Pinot Noir Alto Pampas del Sur 82 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Relatively dark for a PN. Slightly hot nose, with slightly jammy strawberry, cherry and raspberry. Some sharp tannins on the palate but not a lot. This wine is obviously very young. It's all fruit and alcohol, but a little off-balance and harsh I think, though quite juicy. Decent, fresy, young. Loosens up a bit with a little time in glass. Wouldn't buy it, but would drink it. Kind of bog-standard. Good enoughl.

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• 2007 Domaine Roc de Chateauvieux Pinot Noir Val de Loire 86 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Val de Loire

  Very very pale colour. Strawberry lockets (slightly medicinal), light cherries, a little earthy (but not in a dirty way), quite delicate. Low, soft fine tannins. Tart (in a good way), slightly smoky, very well balanced, alcohol perfectly under control (a welcome change for the evening). Very good. For £8 it's not a value but drinkable.

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• 2008 De Bortoli Pinot Noir Vat 10 89 Points

  Australia, South Eastern

  Pretty standard colour for a PN. Quite viscous. The one thing that impressed me on this wine is that the oak that is there is very well integrated. I am easily turned off by bad oaking but I thought this was exceptional. The nose also has strawberry and a cinnamon-meets-clove kind of spice going on. Rich, creamy with a touch of vanilla on the palate, a little spice but still young, fruity and lively. 13.5% alcohol not showing through. The balance on this wine is really lovely. This was my WOTN, albeit in a not particularly thrilling lineup. Good finish, pretty long.

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• 2006 Domaine Parent Pinot Noir Bourgogne 89 Points

  France, Burgundy, Bourgogne

  Lovely nose, makes you want to drink it. A little funky, with some mushroom, and a heap of sour cherry. Good structure, has the tannins to last and probably improve with a few more years. Chewy and juicy but a little dirty too. A very down-to-Earth wine. Doesn't attack you. Really nice but for £14 the QPR isn't that high.

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