Big producer doesn’t mean bad wine. This Nouveau from the giant of Beaujolais is as good as the artisanal ones I used to try.
Solid Bordeaux – Chateau de Portets 2016, Graves
Bordeaux rarely disappoints me when it comes to red wines, I could not think of a more reliable wine region anywhere in the World.
The red side of Rasteau – Helen Durand 2017
Not the dark, ripe and big red I expected from the appellation. Continue reading
A Hungarian white wine that can age – St. Andrea Örökké 2013
From the aged Hungarian whites I opened in recent months from my wine fridge, this one from St. Andrea proved to be the best. Eger is not a wine region known from its white wines so this came as a surprise.
Pretty Hungarian Müller-Thurgau: Kősziklás 2019
Kősziklás is one of the best producers of cheap, crisp white wines in Hungary,
their wines often represents great value. Just like this Müller-Thurgau, which is even better than their Királyleányka.
2016 Southern Rhones and dumb phase – Clos Saint-Antonin Cotes du Rhone
Yet another wine that makes me believe Southern Rhone reds are prime examples of wines which go through dumb phases. This looks even more closed down compared to my last bottle tasted 17 months ago (see post here).
Not a Shiraz – Mayer Syrah 2019, Yarra Valley, Australia
Small production, artisanal Australian Syrah from a cooler climate. It indeed has nothing to do with bold Oz Shirazes. I found their Close Planted Pinot Noir 2012 quite stunning earlier this year, and while this Syrah is also pretty, it hardly comes close.
Oak and Garnacha – Alto Moncayo 2013 from Campo de Borja
Back in September I held a tasting of top Grenache wines taken from my collection. The lineup consisted of many that I regard benchmark examples of the variety and a few that I have never tasted before. Continue reading
Chateau Fontareche “Cuvée 1682” 2017, Corbieres
A nice Stellenbosch Chardonnay – DeMorgenzon DMZ 2018
Such an enjoyable and reliable chardonnay. I liked all vintages I’ve tried so far and the 2018 delivers again.