30 Evan Street,

Stonehaven,

Aberdeenshire,

AB39 2ET

 

Tel : 01569 760060

Wine Tasting Notes

Miguel Torres Sauvignon Blanc

Country of origin: Chile

Region: Central Valley

Nose: Gooseberry and Elderflower.

Taste: Richer and thicker in texture than the Sancerre. Some similarities in fruits, but more!

Overall: Well balanced and easily enjoyed with or without food.

La Chamiza Malbec

Country of origin: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Nose: Thick and brooding. Concentrated and just a whiff of smokiness.

Taste:  As sweet as the nose with lots of vanilla. Very fresh for a wine so heavy and full bodied.

Overall: POW! – packs a punch.

Los Alemendros Carmenere

Up until the mid 1990’s many Chilean wines labelled Merlot were actually Carmenere as for the most part the varieties can be deceptively similar. Not in this case though as you will see. What is a bit part player in France, notably in Bordeaux, has developed into a distinct, flavoursome grape that can stand alone and show flavours that would never be confused with softer ones found in Merlot.

Wild Rock Pinot Noir

A short but intense growing season in the world’s most Southern wine growing region lends itself to produce Pinot Noirs of dazzling intensity that are good for drinking almost as soon as they have been bottled. Though lacking the depth and complexity when compared with others from around the world and especially great Burgundy, Kiwi Pinots demand your attention and deserve their place in any good wine shop.

Tahbilk Viognier

 

Where to go after tasting a wine with the concentration of flavours in a New Zealand sauvignon Blanc..?

Back to Australia for a wine of magnificent power and depth. Viognier’s (Vee-on-nee-ay) roots lie in the Rhone valley where it produces wines with a whiff of tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango and apricot.

Take it to a climate as hot and dry as Victoria and watch theses flavours intensify to such a degree that the intensity, weight and body of this wine can compete with red wines when it comes to OOMPH! White wines of this strength of alcohol often taste unbalanced and forced, but here it is needed to bring a soft heat that stops this wine being flabby.

 

Country of origin: Australia

Region: Victoria

Nose: Alphonso mango and dried apricots.

Taste: Powerful and absorbing. Full on, but not unbalanced

Finish: Long. Just enough acidity to stop it being syrupy.

Overall: A powerful, rich wine without being overwhelming.

Grant Burge “Benchmark” Unoaked Chardonnay

 

So here we have the dreaded Aussie Chardonnay.

Once, it was downed by the pint-load around the shores of Britain and stayed our favourite and top selling wine for over 20 years (Lindeman’s Bin 65 to be precise). And then came the backlash; the invention of the ABC – Anything But Chardonnay – the cry was all too familiar to all of us in the wine trade. But we didn’t mind for we knew that there were producers out there bucking the trend, using oak sparingly or not at all as in this case, and we knew the tide would turn – Don’t be scared of Chardonnay!

 

Country of origin:  Australia

Region: South Australia

Nose: Tropical fruit and melon.

Taste: Richer and thicker in texture than the Chablis. Some similarities in fruits, but more!

Finish: Still crisp and dry, rounder and fuller.

Overall: There we have it, an Aussie Chardonnay not to be scared of - full of flavour but not a trace of heavy wood.

TarraWarra “Tin Cows” Pinot Noir

 

Stop. Forget everything you think you know about Australian wine, for there is a lot more out there than Jacob’s Creek and Hardy’s Stamp! As well as having up front fruitiness, Australian offerings can have depth of flavour, distinct regional styles and a deft touch that the mass market producers can never give. Never is this seismic divide more apparent than in areas such as Western Australia, Barossa or as in this case, Victoria where the great winemakers apply their art with a subtle hand.

 

Country of origin: Australia

Region:   Yarra Valley

Nose: Bright raspberry and strawberry

Taste: Soft and sweet fruits come 1^st and are then quickly balanced with a firm acidity but is not overwhelming.

Finish: Keeps on going and going but ending firmly with a pleasantly drying edge.

Overall:   A great example of just how good Auzzie wines can be with a little care and attention.