5th December 2009
Joseph Landron Domaine de la Louvetrie Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie
2007
$28. Great for a warm summer day with salty oysters kindly provided
by Prince Wine Store. This was the standout on the afternoon with floral
notes, peach and fresh lime. A reasonably high level of acidity in this, a
touch of zip with the saltish orange citrus flavours. 90/100. Tasted
December 2009.
Domaine Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol 2008
$50. This wonderful Sauvignon Blanc exudes notes of grapefruit and lime with
a hint of icy mint. Tasty flavours of citrus and white peach, an absolute
smacker worthy of space in the storage. 90/100. Tasted December 2009.
12th December 2009
Gaja Sito Moresco 2006, Piedmont, Italy
$50. This is the second bottle I've had recently and both times, this wine has proven to be easy relaxation. Soft embracing perfume of Moss cherry, ripening yellow-fleshed plum and I even sensed a hint of toasted Japanese rice tea. A medium-bodied wine but with bold robust flavours of cherry and blood plum skins. Smooth, slightly sappy tannins slowly ease back in as the fruit fades off. Thoroughly enjoyable over the next 5-7 years. 90-91/100. Tasted Oct & Dec 2009.
Festive Season wines - December 2009
 |
Clos Mimi Syrah Petite
Rousse 2003, Paso Robles, USA Had this at Auric Pacific whilst sitting at the site of my grandfather’s former sundry shop (1, Phillip St). 100% syrah, destemmed and 2800 produced according to eRP. Blackberries, crème de cassis are very prominent, touch of licorice and pepper too. A full-bodied red, imagine slouched into a velvet sofa. Very interesting to enjoy over the next 5 years. 91-92/100. Tasted Dec 2009. |
 |
Branaire-Ducru 1999, St
Julien, Bordeaux A decade old, this was typical St Julien in its aromas of black currants, raspberry, graphite and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the tannins have resolved and together with the acids have moved completely into the background. Pure, elegant and lovely to drink right now. Easy to keep this for another 5-7 years. 89-90/100. Tasted Dec 2009. |
 |
Kongsgaard Chardonnay
2005, Napa, USA My Christmas dinner starter, I wasn’t overly impressed with this given its reputation. A full-bodied, robust chardonnay with fresh, crisp acidity and minerality, notes of viscous honeysuckle and floral wafts of orange spritz. This is not looking to hide or sink away anytime soon. 93/100. Tasted Dec 2009. |
 |
Pavie 1999, St Emilion,
Bordeaux A beauty of a wine; this is absolutely pure, multilayered boasting aromas of black currants, cherry, licorice and crushed quartz. The fine tannins are gradually integrating into the wine and form the backbone of this wine’s solid structure. This will easily go for another 15+ years. 95/100. Tasted Dec 2009. |
Sine Qua Non Poker Face
2004, California, USA
I really did this wine a crime. Decanted for half a day prior to dinner, it
was still closed and no amount of decanter swishing did the job. A hot, sexy
Syrah with a splash of Mourvedre and Viognier crafted by the genius Manfred
Krankl. Loads of blackberry, crème de cassis, toasted oak, floral lift of
white summer flowers. The tannins are still very prominent and need further
time to resolve. Still, this powerful wine was rich and pure with a long,
salivating finish. Didn’t even get to the halfway point on this wine over
dinner and it was still drinking well over the next 5 days. 96/100. Tasted
Dec 2009.
Fritz Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett 2007, Mosel,
Germany
This medium-bodied riesling served as a prelude to christmas day dinner and
has a higher level of residual sugar than you’d expect for a kabinett level.
Notes of nectarine and pear shaken up in a musky bag. The acids are crisp
which complement the softer texture of this wine. A wine that is not
mentally-challanging. 89/100. Tasted Dec 2009.