Roundup of this week's wine reviews (7 August 2013)

It was a heady Burgundy week, with many lovely and pinot spiced samples tasted. In conjunction with our South Africa tasting on 2 Aug, some promising wines from the country as well as some old champagne (Krug!!) and a Bordeaux round up our wines for the week.


Nederburg Premiere Cuvee Brut N.V.
Western Cape, South Africa
Main varietal: Cape Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Colombard
Ratings: 3.5 stars (out of 5); 91pts (out of 100)

Biscuity nose with fruity/citrus undertones followed by fresh palate with good vibrancy and persistency. Some quince-nectarine notes and complexity.


Cloof Pinotage 2005
Darling, South Africa
Main varietal: Pinotage
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 92pts

Ripe plum and other dark stone fruit. Good and layered depth. Age has softened the acidity and tannins and the wine can appear almost flaccid. Overall though, quite rich and attractive.


Robertson Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Robertson Wine Valley, South Africa
Main varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Ratings: 3 stars; 89pts

Floral wafts with citrus and gooseberry notes. Less crisp for a Sauvignon Blanc but still very palatable.


Robertson South Africa Limited Release Chardonnay 2012

Robertson Wine Valley, South Africa
Main varietal: Chardonnay
Ratings: 3 stars; 89pts

Ripe peach over a hint of butterscotch, vanilla and toast. Nice vibrancy but otherwise quite average overall.


Domaine Henri Boillot Les Lavières, Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru 2009
Cote de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot noir
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Expressive pinot fruit notes over a mineral backbone. More prowess and depth expected for the vintage though.


Domaine des Chezeaux Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes 2001
Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot noir
Ratings: 4 stars; 92pts

Wonderful perfume and complexity. Initially grainy but the nose and palate get cleaner with time.


Château Fleur Cardinale 2008
Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Main varietal: Merlot
Ratings: 4 stars; 92pts

A 2-hour decant revealed a robust textbook Bordeaux with great balance for an "off" vintage.


Krug Champagne Brut N.V.
Champagne, France
Main varietal: Pinot noir, Chardonnay
Ratings: 5 stars; 95pts

Ethereal balance, sublime ageing. Fresh and soft at the same time, complex potpourri of citrus, floral perfume and biscuit notes.


Anne Gros Clos-Vougeot Grand Cru Le Grand Maupertui 2001
Cote de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot noir
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 94pts

Clean modern depiction of Burgundy. Heady, seductive, weighty and deep. On first pour, it appears to lack the horizontal spectrum and savory notes of a great Burgundy, but on subsequent pours the pinot spice emerged, quite impressively.


Louis Jadot Corton-Pougets Grand Cru 1996
Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot noir
Ratings: 4 stars

Savory pinot notes on a well-aged example, drinking at what I feel is slightly past optimum maturity for this wine at years of age. Was worried it was over the hill when initially opened, as fruit was repressed and shy. Good structure, enough persistence and overall nice.


Mommessin Clos de Tart Grand Cru 2004
Cote de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot noir
Ratings: 4.3 stars; 94pts

Pinot spice bursts forth from this wine as soon as it leaves the bottle. Still purplish and so powerful.