Decanterland

Friday, March 30, 2007

Cahors - Pont du Diable


Picked this one up at Waitrose today for under 5 quid. Just fancied something different. It said dark berries on the label. I knew I was in for a treat. Grabbed some cheeses off the counter as well and once at home had a good tasting. This is a quite strong and a bit rougher tasting wine. Made from the Malbec grape, this is different than the normal wine I drink, but from the strength, acidity and tannins it reminded me of my favourite Rhones, although it did not have the Provence-sandy hills-herby taste to it. However, I can just imagine how great this would taste with a nicely grilled piece of meat on the balcony under a tree in the South of France. I loved this wine. Great with strong cheeses (Camembert) or something meaty. I'll have it again.

Pouilly Fume - Appellation maison


Then mid week I had this no-name unknown-vintage home made Pouilly Fume. A friend gave this to us as a present. While he is from Burgundy, this wine is actually from the Loire. At first it tasted slightly home-made, smelled great, but just had a hint of self-production about it. It tasted good though. I liked it even more on the second day. Don't know anything else about it.

Sarget de Gruaud Larose - 2001


From the St. Julien region in the Medoc of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Gironde, this is from a well known chateau as it was classified as 2eme Cru Classe in the 1855 ranking. This particular one (Sarget) is the second wine of the chateau. This just means that it is from the vines that are sub-prime from the rest. They are still from the same vineyards and made in the same way, they are just the lesser quality grapes. Probably the ones that get more shade for some reason or the ones near the busy road or something. But I honestly think a lot of second wines are just the same as the first, and just a means of the chateau to reach a wider consumer base. Like Tesco's own brand Chateauneuf du Pape made at the St Pierre vinery is most likely exactly the same as St. Pierre's own branded wine that is sold for 3 pounds extra, also at Tesco. Or Waitroses own branded pasta. Do you really think Waitrose have their own pasta factory? No, they pay Buttoni or some other Pasta producer to produce for them, for their own brand. Both win. Wider audience. Anyway, back to the Sarget. It's now most definitely my favourite Bordeaux. I will get it for my wedding if I can get hold of 4 cases. It is classic Bordeaux. Ripe leather, old library book, museum, ripe fruit pudding kind of taste. We shared it with my brother over Sun's nicely baked ham&cheese Quiche. It was great. Special wine, not for every day, but worth getting.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Pouilly Vinzelles - Maison Louis Latour 2004


A very delicate wine with a soft floral smell. The taste is light but aromatic. We had a light salad with chicken tonight and it completely transformed the taste of the wine. I'd recommend to drink this on its own only. With food it loses most of its aroma and can taste like water. But without a mouthful of food, it is really good. Three fruits came to mind immediately: Pineapple, apricot, and mirabelle. I don't want to hand myself a trophy, but I was happy to read Louis Latour's own tasting notes as: "You will be charmed by its ripe yellow flesh fruit aromas of mirabelle plum."

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Montsant - Garnacha

 
This is a very good Spanish wine is 85% Garnacha and 15% Cabernet. It has a great cherry smell that is very similar to that of a Rioja, the colour is ruby red, and the taste is just completely outstanding with strong fruit and oak. The spicy food (lamb stew & chilli sauce) we are having tonight is the only one that could really overpower it. It is very smooth, though, and alltogether really enjoyable. It is a great alternative to the Rhone and Bordeaux wine I have recently concentrated on, but it is much better than the often too sweet New World wines, so it's definitely worth looking at other regions of the old world too. Great wine. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Pouilly Fuisse

 
Tonight I have tried a white wine that I might consider using on the big day. It's a Pouilly Fuisse, white Burgundy of course, not to be confused with the white Loire wine called Pouilly Fume. Yeah, this Pouilly Fuisse is from Domaine Thibert Pere et Fils and is a 2005, so pretty recent. The colour is a nice golden yellow, the smell of floral sugary syrup, and the taste quite fruity and nice and easy to drink. I think this would go well with the light starter dishes that you usually get at weddings, but would also be well do drink on its own. It's very easy to drink actually, much better than the rather dry Vouvray I had the other day. This is all nice and great, just typically for a Pouilly Fuisse also on the expensive side. This bottle I got last weekend from my favourite small independent wine merchant Philglas & Swiggot. It was priced at around 18 quid! To be honest, I am sure I can get a more reasonably priced one back at home, but the style is at least the right one! Posted by Picasa