i-wine: 12 April i-1-wine journey 15 (I WANT WINE!)

A great afternoon with excellent learning experience. The Wine Journey started by visiting the private kept wine cellar, and continue with a theory session. We discuss varietals and regions, going through many questions. Most importantly, we express our burgeoning interest in all things vinous and have a thoroughly good time.

Our wine flight for the day:

Abanico Renaixença Brut Cava NV
Bodegas Abanico, Catalunya, Spain

Main Varietal: Macabeo, Perellada, Xarel.lo
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 87pts

Pleasant and fruity. Not unbalanced

Delheim Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2011

Delheim Cellar, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Main Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 88pts

After a brief assault by excessive sulfites, a lovely bouquet of tropical fruit, much like a can of mixed fruit. Good length


Hill & Dale Chardonnay 2012
Hill And Dale, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Main Varietal: Chardonnay
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 87pts

Simple, round quaffer

MontGras Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Central Valley, Chile
Main varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Capsicum and grass notes. Some sweetish floral notes and complexity. Mid-weighted and well-balanced. Not aggressive on the palate and quite pleasurable.

Fesles Rosé d'Anjou 2011
Château de Fesles, Saumur, France
Main Varietal: Grolleau, Gamay
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Strawberry jam and grape juice on the nose lead nicely into a almost sweet palate that finishes nicely dry.

Santa Rita 120 Resava Especial Colleccion Independencia 2011

Santa Rita,Valle Del Maipo, Chile

Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Carmen, Valle De Colchagua, Chile

Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Good balance for a Chilean cab. 5 years and good maturity. Simple yes attractive.

Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2011
Delheim Cellar, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Ruby Cabernet, Cabernet Franc
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 90pts

Moderately dense yet balanced. Mint cassis and leather. Some sulphur notes.

Bernadotte Haut-Médoc Grand Vin 2002
Château Bernadotte, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

11 year old magnum offering an alluring and mature expression of uncomplicated bordeaux at it best (in my humble opinion).

Brown Brothers Victoria Orange Muscat & Flora 2012
Brown Brothers, Victoria, Australia
Main Varietal: Orange Muscat, Flora
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts

Complex notes of preserved lemon and apricot with a side of litchi. Delightful at this price point.

Some other photos to share:

Private Party (11 April 2014)

Good food always go with good wine and good wine must drink with good friends.

It was a beautiful evening to spend time gathering with some close friends. The party was wonderful, happy faces all around and we can't deny that the alcohol did a good job in bringing the evening to next level.

Here are the victims for the night. 7 person and 7 bottles killed.

Fesles Rosé d'Anjou 2011

Château de Fesles, Saumur, France
Main Varietal: Grolleau, Gamay
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Strawberry jam and grape juice on the nose lead nicely into a almost sweet palate that finishes nicely dry.


Delheim Stellenbosch Rosé Pinotage 2011
Delheim Cellar, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Main Varietal: Pinotage, Muscat de Frontignan

Ratings: 3.0 stars; 87pts

Not as fragrant as I would have expected. Pinotage power on palate so not delicate and a hint of bitterness as it warms up. Would need food to shine.

Lou Roumanin Côtes De Provence 2012
Lou Roumanin, Provence, France
Main Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cinsault
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 87pts

A simple well made well priced rose with nice persistence on the end.


Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2003

Moët & Chandon, Champagne, France
Main Varietal: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Complex and drinking at its best. Less than brisk being a 2003 but nice length. 

Bernadotte Haut-Médoc Grand Vin2002
Château Bernadotte, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

11 year old magnum offering an alluring and mature expression of uncomplicated bordeaux at it best (in my humble opinion).

Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block Western Cape Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache Cinsault Viognier 2012
Boekenhoutskloof, Western Cape, South Africa
Main Varietal: Shiraz/Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon,Grenache Noir, Viognier, Cinsault
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Big and complex. Fruit forward. Cassis and plum notes with coffee and spice. Develops chocolate like texture on nose and palate as it opens. Aptly named.

Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Boekenhoutskloof, Coastal, South Africa
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 93pts

Big ripe dense creamy cassis notes flow from nose to palate and almost refusing to end. Exquisite partner to the juicy aged medium-rare rib-eye slowly disappearing from my plate. 3 years young and with much life left (also with reference to the 2004 consumed some months back)

Other photos form the dinner:

CHAPTER TWO : March France & Spain Round Up

Saint Pierre Domaines Martin Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classe 2007
Saint Pierre, Bordeaux, France

Ratings: 4 stars; 92pts

Deep cassis Moyes with some complexity

Gloria Saint-Julien 2013
Gloria, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 90pts

Simple cassis notes. A savory touch. Very enjoyable.

Croix De Beaucaillou Saint Julien 2013

Croix De Beaucaillou, Médoc, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Nice cassis notes with good depth and some complexity


Ducru Beaucaillou Saint Julien Médoc Grand Cru Classé 2013
Ducru Beaucaillou, Médoc, France
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 93pts

Clean and complex. Great length. Palate and finish is excellent. Palate opens to reveal floral and cassis notes.


Leoville Las Cases Grand Vin De Léoville Marquis De Las Cases Saint-Julien 2003
Leoville Las Cases, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 92pts

Rich yet restrained, elegant cassis. Great length. Good mid-term ageing potential.


Romanee-Conti La Tâche 2004

Romanee-Conti, Côte de Nuits, France
Main Varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 94pts

Dense and complex cassis notes laced with spice. Great depth, balance and length. Starts to fade after 2 hours.

Leoville Las Cases Saint-Julien Clos Du Marquis 2013

Leoville Las Cases, Médoc, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 87pts

Open pleasant cassis. Medium body and length


Potensac Chapelle de 2013

Potensac, Médoc, France

Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 86pts

Acidity and tannins now pronounced but plenty waiting to show.

Potensac Médoc 2013
Potensac, Médoc, France

Main Varietal: Sangiovese

Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89pts

Rich cassis with hints of tobacco. Good depth and length

Nenin Pomerol 2009

Nenin, Libournais, France

Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts

Dense cassis notes with good depth and length

Nenin Fugue de Nénin Pomerol 2013

Nenin, Libournais, France
Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Ratings: 3.0 stars; 88pts

Creamy cassis notes with a vanilla hint.

La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classé Graves 2013

La Mission Haut-Brion, Graves France

Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 93pts

Tight on nose but palate already expressive and with good length. Balanced.

Clarence Dillon Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Grand Cru Classé 2013
Domaine Clarence Dillon, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 94pts

Still closed but definitely brooding. Palate also brooding but pedigree evident. Slowly deep cassis with cedar hints emerge.

Clarence Dillon Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc 2013

Domaine Clarence Dillon, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 94+pts

Pretty floral driven nose. Balanced, immense length. Good minerality.


Lagrezette Cru D'Exception Malbec 2008
Château Lagrezette, SUD-OUEST, FRANCE
Main Varietal: Malbec
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 89 pts

Nice textured fruity palate with savory notes. Great with food too

CHAPTER ONE: March France and Spain Round Up

It has been an exciting March, a trip to France and Spain. Let's round up what we tasted there.

La Conseillante Pomerol 2006
La Conseillante, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.1stars; 91pts

Great fruit and balance.

Bourillon Dorleans La Coulée D'Argent Vouvray Vieilles Vigne 1989

Bourillon Dorleans, Touraine, France

Main Varietal: Chenin Blanc

Ratings: 4.0stars; 92pts

Complex. Botrytised. youthful.

Clarence Dillon le Dragon De Quintus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France

Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.0stars; 87pts

Clean cassis driven nose and palate, the latter which lingers nicely.

Clarence Dillon La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5stars; 89pts

Pleasantly forward. Clean and lingering finish.


Clarence Dillon Le Clarence De Haut Brion 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5stars; 90pts

Good depth fronted by nice fruit.


Clarence Dillon Chateau Quintus Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France

Main Varietal: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Ratings: 3.5stars; 89pts

Still tight, possibly brooding but good structure evident

Clarence Dillon La Clarté de Haut-Brion 2013

Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Ratings: 4.0stars; 91pts

Expressive nose but does not follow to palate.


Domaine Clarence Dillon Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc 2013
Clarence Dillon, Saint-Émilion, France
Main Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Ratings: 4.0stars; 92pts

Balanced elegant and persistent.

Margaux Echantillon Pavillon Blanc 2013

Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Ratings: 93pts

100% souvignon blanc, barrel aged (30% new oak). White flowers, white currants, grapefruit, soursop and a hint of citrus. Expressive nose, not so complex but very attractive.


Margaux Echantillon 2013

Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Ratings: 93pts

Soft yet intense cassis, blueberries with floral notes and a hint of spice

Margaux Echantillon Pavillon Rouge 2013

Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot
Ratings: 90pts

Almost dense cassis with floral and blueberry hints

Rauzan-Segla Grand Cru Classé Margaux 2013
Château Rauzan-Ségla, Médoc, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot
Ratings: 3.5stars; 90pts

Deep and soft cassis notes with a hint of blueberries. 


Sichel Chateau Palmer 2013
Maison Sichel, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Ratings: 4.5stars; 93pts

Intense nose depicting blackcurrant cassis and an savory/earthy note. Seductive. Long.



Château Palmer Alter Ego Margaux 2013
Bodegas Château Palmer, Médoc, France

Ratings: 4.0stars; 91pts

Almost dense textured cassis driven palate with gentle oak.

Sichel Chateau Palmer Margaux 1995
Sichel, Bordeaux, France
Main Varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5stars; 90+pts

95 palmer Impressive balance and mouthfeel. Long and elegant. Evolved secondary notes. Good 10 years to go. 5.13.17.8+=93+ 08 alter ego Soft and almost mature. Tannins lightly firm but very supportive in palate.

.....to be continue