Roundup of this week's wine reviews (24 July 2013)

"A heady and seductive note..." - Read on to discover which heavenly grape juice I'm describing!


Chandon de Briailles Les Vergelesses, Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru 2005
Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Rating: 3 stars (out of 5); 90 pts (out of 100)

A basic burgundy. Nice savory notes, balanced fruit and spice. Great with food.


William Fevre Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2007
Chablis, France
Main Varietal: Chardonnay
Rating: 4.1 stars; 93pts

Powerful and focused. Great complexity. Perfectly aged. Fig and pear notes on a soft mineral bed. Great with food.


Château de L'Estang Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux 2005
Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Main varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Rating: 4.2 stars; 92pts

Good cassis over mineral presentation. Nice intensity with good complexity as well. Well-balanced with medium length.


Capel Vale Margaret River Chardonnay 2011
Margaret River, Western Australia
Main varietal: Chardonnay
Rating: 3.3 stars; 91pts

Initially oak notes stick out in an unattractive manner. This quietens down to show a reference to New World Chardonnay with balanced fruit (peach and nectarine), minerality, good depth and intense yet restrained fruit. Slightly reductive? Needs two years to show better.


Taylors Estate Chardonnay 2010
Clare Valley, South Australia
Main varietal: Chardonnay
Rating: 3 stars; 91pts

Clean pear and peach notes on a bed of butterscotch, not shy. Drank well even after a week in the fridge.


Fanti Brunello di Montalcino 2007
Montalcino, Italy
Main varietal: Sangiovese
Rating: 4.2 stars; 94pts

A heady and seductive nose which follows onto a palate with great balance and acidity. Complex cherry with hints of fig, compote and nuts. Elegance personified. Quietly persistent, patiently passionate.


E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2007
Southern Rhone, France
Main varietal: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre
Rating: 3.6 stars; 90pts

A real brooder for a generic. Still needs hours to open up even given that this bottle is 6 harvests past. Dark stone fruit with complexity beyond its pedigree. Nice evolution but can be frustrating for those who lack the time to listen to what this wine has to say.