Chateau Montus Pacherenc Du Vic Bilh Sec 2000

Chateau Montus or known as Brumont Chateau Montus Blanc Sec Pacherenc du Vic Bilh

It is a dry white wine from south west of France around Madiran, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is the appellation AC.
We tried this wine during one of our sommelier committee meetings in the evening. And of course the wine is from courtesy of Frangipani restaurant. Only in the latter part of the evening I've found out that the wines is not made from Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng  (because Alain Brumont is made famous for this Manseng's blends), it was Courbu (less popular/ never heard of it)! The appellation permits two Courbus  ( Courbu Blanc + Petit Courbu) and two Mansengs in blendings for this wine. Vintage dated back to 2000, as I predict the wine is best to be drunk around 5 to 8 years times, surprising still have the acidity and slight refreshing touch although the colours of the wine looks golden and slightly tired. The nose was clean, ripe stone fruits character, apples, touch of pineapple with pronounce minerality. Palate was dry and round, medium acidity and good bite of mineral. I would say this is a best dry white wine after the Gros Manseng.

Brumont Chateau Montus was tasted in Aug 2011 in Frangipani Restaurant KL

Spanish Wine and Gourmet Food Showcase 2011

HOla!~

Happens in 28th July 2011 in Hilton Kuala Lumpur

This is once and only event to showcase some of the hidden gems in Spain beside promoting the well known Tempranillo and Garnacha. I decided to sneak out from my workplace forget about email and takes some times to discover some uprising star from the world cup winner land...

Valencia- Bodega Enguera,
Winemaker- Alvaro Nieves shows us some exciting fruity vibrant yet balance red wines made from Monastrell and a little Syrah.

Found some interesting yet good quality Cava (sparkling wine)
It is not from Penedes, it is from a town called Requena, a region in Valencia.

Utiel-Requena- Dominio De La Vega (www.dominiodelavega.com)

So far our market have no local distributor yet but will be informed once imported in!

Highly rated Dominio de la Vega in yellow label is brut cava reserva. Blend of Macabeo and Chardonnay. Persistent bubble with a honeyed and yeasty aromas and citrus predominantly. Touch of toastiness in the flavor, a balance cava with acidity and length. Mr.Juan Carlos actually explained that these cava spent time in lees before bottling (more than a month), depending on vintages, some good vintages might spent up to 2 months before bottling.

Also spotted from the same wineries, Bobal! the local grape varieties of Spain. The Anacal (grey label) is without oak-ageing, is fruit driven,easy going wine with short finish. The Bobal (colourful label), I like this fancy label, the wine is fruit driven more layer of complexity, vanilla essence and med- long finish. It does has ample tannins that is good enough for few more years of ageing.

Mucho gracias senor Juan Carlos for the wonderful wine.

The BIG Shot Bodegas RODA

Rioja- Bodega Roda

This big names needs no extra advertisement. The wine itself do the talking. The wiens in the showcase is young to be tasted, astringent tannins and close. It needs time to settle and develop. What catch the eye is Cirsion, where its fruits are big but is balance with its acidity and tannins. Long finish with oakiness wrapped up with ripe plum, dark cherry, currant and cassis. Certainly a class on its own. ( not to compare with vega/alvaro)

Mucho gracias again for the beautiful Roda, Miss Arancha Busnadiego.

A Tempranillo Rose. 

Lots more wines to be mentioned in this showcase, unfortunately memories fall. Albarino from Adegas Valminor is worth to mention. The albarino is fresh and crisp and easy to go with asian food like steam chicken or chinese dim sum. 

The crowd doesn't turn out as grand as what I expected. Maybe because it is working days/ hour, or maybe it is by invitation only. More than 50 counters of wines, cheeses and olive oil (no Iberico ham!!) samples and presentation in the hotel grand ballroom. Masterclasses of olive oil and wine being conducted in separated hall. Hope to have more event like this kind. :)

Again Bobal was in the Masterclass of Hidden Gems of SPAIN..viva espana!

2010 Terravin All That Jazz Sauvignon Blanc

Up for some jazz anyone?


All that jazz sauvignon blanc by Terravin a family orientated wineries from New Zealand. (Mike and Jo Eaton)

This refreshing wine has crisp acidity and nuances of gooseberries and lime! Nearly clear and pale yellow in color, this vibrant young wine has done an awesome job as an aperitivo for Andrew's friend birthday dinner in Sage. I can drink it on its own all by Myself! haha.

Terravin vineyards is located in Marlborough, South Island of New Zealand. They are famous with their fabulous easy to approach Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Labels are easy to catch as potrait of father holding his hands with two sons. (Terra means Earth in Latin as for vitivulture and micro-climate and Vin means wine in French)

2007 Michel Colin Deleger Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Remilly

2007 Michel Colin-Deleger Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Remilly


The colors are bright clear light yellow with white rim thats shows that this is young to be drinkable. Viscosity is low. Aromas is fresh, fruity notes with slight nuttiness. Predominantly lime and citrus fruits with grapefruit character, slightly almond like aroma with chalk and mineral essence. The palate and bouquet shows young and bright wine with ample acidity and fruits. Very fresh and vibrant, friend of mine suggest it should be a good base for blanc de blanc champagne... keep for another year or two to shows it true character. Second tasting after half an hour or more opens up its stone-fruit character like green apple touch. Good for salad and seafood (shellfish) minus the heavy sauces and dressing!


Where is Chassagne-Montrachet? (Nic asked in the middle of dinner)

Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the village in south Cote de Beaune, a sub region in Burgundy. En Remilly is a small premier cru site (climats) located nearby Saint-Aubin. En Remilly south facing vineyards is actually large and majority of the vineyards is located within the limits of Saint-Aubin.These premier cru red are made of pinot noir and whites from chardonnay.

There are 3 grand crus in Chassagne, the famous king of the whites. Grand Cru :

 Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Criots-Batard Montrachet.

Rossignol Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Petite-Chapelle 2007

Domaine Rossignol-Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Petite Chapelle 2007

Healthy Pinot-Noir!~ :)

Nicolas and David-Rossignol began experimenting biodynamic practices in late 1990's and received certification from EcoCert in 2005. EcoCert is a control and certification organisation, whose activities are governed by the public authorities and legislation. So is EcoCert does any good to the wines? It depends on the viticultural practices by the winemaker itself, which includes traditional method, low vines, green harvesting, high vine foliage, only natural products being used... etc.. etc.. 

To the extend of the wine being tasted so far, it still taste good and can be better than any other Gevrey amongst them. The families does believe that Pinot Noir is a very aromatic grapes so the use of oak is much careful. Too much oak will kill off the characteristic of the Pinots. 

Due to recent Rossginol-Trapet wine dinner held in Leornardo's Restaurant in Jalan Bangkung, I have the privileges to try this premier cru with fellow sommeliers in town. Purple-ish young in color denotes its youth for the wine, aromas is handful of strawberries, flower and lightly spices on the other hand. Palates shown that this Pinot Noir is typical of Burgundy terroir expression, with mineral, strawberry like flavors, cherries, cinnamon like spice, gentle oak and a bit high in acidity. Overall the wine goes pretty well after hour of breathing and suits our roast pork well. Before the end of the tasting, Yin How walks into the kitchen and bring us some cheese in platter.   

wine tasted May 16 in Vintry Jaya33

Schloss Lieser Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2008

Schloss Lieser Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2008 ERSTE LAGE

Nevertheless it is indeed a very hard to pronounce name, but just remember it is a Riesling from Schloss Lieser from the Braunerberg estate and you will never goes wrong. About sweetness level it is not that complicated after all.* 

The wines is good in balance with sweetness, minerality and acidity. Although the latter is not that strong but thats what make the wine balance and not cloying after few sips.Very good aromas of dried candied fruits and shows some mineral notes. Honeyed of course, dried apricot and some ripe pineapple feels. The palate is balance with roundness of acidity and sweetness but somehow I think it lacks a bit of alcohol. The finishing is long and definitely a wine after meal with fruits or cheese.  Winemaker Thomas Haag claims thats this particular wine site is actually is the most geographical area to plants vine. 

* The German classified the quality of wines based on the balance amount of sugar left on the wines. Kabinett being the driest (it somehow has residual sugar in wine), Spatlese (sweet), Auslese (sweeter), Beerenauslese Trockenbeereauslese, Eiswein (the sweetest amongst all).

There is a German Grand Cru (VDP) , a governing body to classified citeria for great growths and first growth for selected site of vineyard in German. This great growth (Groses Gewachs) does produce some top dry Riesling! - so don't say German has no dry wine!

Wine bottle? out of no where~

Locate me!!~... (no prizes for the one who gets it correct :p)

Jacques Frederic Mugnier Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Marechale 2006

2005 Jacques Frederic Mugnier Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Clos de la Marechale


I'm so lucky to get to taste this supple burgundy, thanks to Mr Mohan Lourdes who cannot finish the bottle in my shop, haha :)

The wine is closed* when it is first open last week, had let it breath for an hour and it starts to show some fruits and floral character. On the nose it shows fruits of strawberries on the left hand jugging, and on the right hand, blossoms and grapey skins smells. Medium soft tannins, juicy and tasted more to raspberry juicy and has a medium to soft acids. Basically this village wine is well made and supple, has an attractive nose and body. This pronounce burgundy example is ready to be drunk in a year or two times. Remember to have this with some semi hard cheese.


Wine tasted on 2nd June 2011- Han

closed*- the term closed is used to denote that the wine is not showing its potental, which remains locked in.

Bordeaux 2010

BORDEAUX 2010

Bordeaux 2010 s it better than 2009?'  Once quoted saying that 2010 is the exceptional year!
Is it 'better' that I am not sure, after so many comments and tasting by fellows wine lovers and merchants around town, average comments is about the high tannins and very big fruits flavors. Few fellow merchants has flew to the chateau itself to have a very good sip of this controversial vintages. After tasting from Medoc to Graves, Pomerol & St-Emilion, the comments are very different from 2009. It is vigorous and exceptional good year, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon. Some has exeperience not a very good one, particularly with high astringency tannins and killing alcohol level.

‘Only time will tell if it is better than 2009,’ Lawther says, adding that the wines of 2010 are more ‘classically’ defined.-- Mr. James Lawther quoted saying after Decanter magazine released its Bordeaux2010 ratings.

Spurrier too was pleased by what he saw, reserving special praise for Graves and Pessac-Leognan, the ‘standout success’ of the vintage, and also for the lesser Cotes de Bordeaux appellation.-- Steven Spurrier covering the tasting of Medoc and Graves for Decanter magazine.
 
So far as what I had understand is that 2010 is a combination of dry and sunny summers but on the other hand is that moderate temperatures that gives some freshness to the grapes. And so the acidity that comes in to picture for Bordeaux 2010 is impressive and for surely will survive throughout time. Do bare in mind that acidity is the backbone for the wine to be kept and mature. The long and dry summer gives a lot of things to the grapes and it does contributing high alcohol level to the wines.  (La Mission Haut-Brion 2010 is at 15% alcohol ! )

Scores are high this year, with four ‘perfect’ 20-point scores from Decanter magazine, the top wines are Chateau Margaux, Latour, Lafite and Cheval Blanc. Prices are not been released yet at the moment but for the lower yield this year (due to the problems with Merlot grapes), prices are expecting to be sky high for the classified growth and partly also thanks to the Chinese businessman and its blooming wine market. :)

Domaine Maurice ECARD Savigny les Beaune 2005

Domaine Maurice ECARD Savigny-les-Beaune 2005

Not a very excellent vintage for Burgundy but anyway it is ready to drink at this moment. Powerpack with fruits (red berries&strawberries) and floral scents, this 100% Bourgogne Pinot Noir is just a simple village wine. Nicely tackle with firm tannins and has a short but elegant finish. I paired it with some succulent roasted pork (a-la chinese traditional) and it does marries really well. The fruitiness and friendly tannins of the wine just bring out the best of the roasted pork and cut through its oils.Best enjoy it with bunch of good friends around in a lazy evening but this time we enjoy adequate amount of alcohol just for a gathering with Kuga and fellow classmates.

tasted on 25th March 2011- han in Ribs by Vintry

p/s thanks Edmund for the waive corkage charge... : D

E.GUIGAL COTE DU RHONE 2005

E.Guigal Cote du Rhone 2005

Simple yet refined!

Lusicous red with aromas of candy like flavors. topped with some dried herbs aromas and spices, this medium body slightly sweetish style of wine with soft tannins are just so nice with portobello mushroom and pork belly. Suited with Asian palatte, this Cote du Rhone is in an affordable price.

Cote du Rhone situated in Southern Rhone in south east France and mostly blended with 3 major grape varities such as Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre.


-Han-11/3/2011 tasted in Leonardo's Restaurant, Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar.

Antinori Tignanello 2006

Antinori Tignanello 2006

Another Italian famous red to be explored!
This is a supertuscan where they do not achieve the highest classification of italian DOCG, but as a IGT wines, this supertuscan has overwhelmed many others wines. the wine is made of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and others blends to give its Bordeaux like character wine and its true expression of the soils.
This dark intense red wine has a mineral and oaky notes with cigar box aromas, blackcurrant and plums on the nose. This wine although is still young but after futher decanting for 1 hour, it develops from a young green-ish type of flavors to fruits, ripe fruits of plummy character flavors with touch of mineral, it feels like a very stuctured wine lingering all around your tongue. Medium body red with high astringency and very long finishing.

Shaw&Smith Shiraz 2008

Shaw&Smith Shiraz 2008

Probably the first Australian wine I blog about in this blog, I found the wine is quite astonishing and I felt it must have redeem something in our Asian palates.
It denotes a dark purple red color with a lot of herbs,liquorice flavors, sweet herbs like character, peppercorn, touch of greeen pepperbell and crush of plums and cassis. On the palates it shows the cool climate (Adelaide Hills) Shiraz how vibrants it was, with medium bodied shiraz that has a lot of spices,oak and pepper touching the long finishing. Smooth medium tannins and offers plenty of alcohol in mouth.
This wine definately goes well with lots of Asian cuisine particularly with some thick sauce or heavy gravy meal.

tasted on 26 Feb 2011- Hans

2003 Cantine Valpantena Torre de Falasco Amarone della Valpolicella

2003 Cantine Valpantena Torre de Falasco Amarone della Valpolicella

Happy New Year 2011, to start the year I had some Moet et Chandon and few glass of cognac neat with fellows sommeliers in town!

For the start of the year, this blog will start to focus on different wines from outside of France!

Perhaps some Italian wines from Veneto to start, this dark ruby red color wines has so much intense character, probabaly because they are passito grapes- (means air dried grapes before fermentation begins) concentrated flavors and always contribute a sweet palate. Aromas like candy floss awith lots of herbs and raisins, plum and cedar woods. It shows a hint of cigar box nose on the very sharp end. This amarone has a very long finish, ample tannins with lots of fruits,plums, and blackberries flavors. Indulge with red meat that contains lots of fats, or simply grill meat with plain sauces.

wine tasted on 11 Jan 2011~ Han