Yet another one from the endless row of great 2016 Southern Rhone reds. The first wine I tried from the producer and it convinced me, now I want to try more from their portfolio.
Another great Cotes du Rhone from 2016: Clos Saint-Antonin
Hungarian rosado: a lovely siller from Kékhegy
Kékhegy Piroska Siller 2018
An almost extinct Hungarian wine style: siller. Basically it’s the same as Spanish rosado, i.e. a darker colored, heavier rose. Classically it’s made from Kadarka, which, being a thin skinned grape results in a siller anyway, but here is a different approach: Cabernet Sauvignon with short maceration.
Top class Grüner Veltliner from Australia – Hahndorf Hill 2016
Grüner Veltliner is not a variety one associates with Australia, but taste this and you will probably agree with me: they should plant more. Continue reading
Setting the bar high for southern French white wines – Clos Ste Magdeleine Bel-Arme 2017, Cassis AOC
Not that I drink many white wines from the Languedoc and Provence, but probably this is the best I have ever tasted from those regions. I used to buy wines from this great producer, and while the rose is always good, the regular white wine I tried did not really impress me – but I knew that new wines are coming (top whites, as well as a new rose). As soon as it became available at one of my favorite French online shop Les Passionnes du Vin, I immediately made my order. Glad I did.
Another great Cotes du Rhone red – Domaine Olivier Hillaire Vieilles Vignes 2017
Drinking in Avignon wine #10. The last one from this series, and easily the best. Bought the bottle in the producers shop in the centre of the town Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where one can taste through the whole range, including the expensive top wines, I highly recommend to visit it if you are in town.
Would you buy less expensive Chateauneuf du Pape?
Drinking in Avignon wine #9. There should be a saying that goes like: never buy cheap Chateauneuf du Pape. It’s just a waste of many.
Vignerons de Caractere, Terroir Daronton, Roaix 2016, Cotes du Rhone Villages
Drinking in Avignon, wine #8. Yet another Southern Rhone appellation which I have not heard of, Roaix. But while that pretty Seguret made me a fan, this time I was slightly disappointed.
Rhone Cru with age – Alain Jaume & Fils Lirac Roquedon 2012
Drinking in Avignon, wine #7. I bought the bottle at the cellar door, at the end of my visit. There were so many wines available, and I love the producer so I wanted all them, but sadly, I could only carry one bottle with myself. And because the topic that I was most interested on this trip was how Southern Rhone reds age, I chose what the lady recommended: a Lirac at 6.5 years of age, presumably at its prime. Continue reading
Too much? An expensive Mourvedre from La Peira, the 2016 Matissat
Name the top Mourvedre wines in the World! Either you include blends, which have it as a dominant player or count only pure varietal wines (well, ones that are claimed to be), the list probably won’t be a long one. Produced by highly regarded Languedoc estate La Peira en Damaisela – and having a hefty price tag -, Matissat is a contender to be on that list.
Almost a Bandol – Domaine de la Begude, Cadet de la Begude 2017
Petit Bandol. Or something like that. Actually tastes a bit different, which is not surprising when we take a look at the composition: Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsault, roughly one-third each. Continue reading