Tag Archives: 2012

Noble Ridge, Reserve Meritage, 2012, Okanagan Valley, Canada

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Noble Ridge, Reserve Meritage, 2012, Okanagan Valley, Canada

Noble Ridge, Reserve Meritage, 2012, Okanagan Valley, Canada

The Okanagan Valley in Canada produces some stunning wines and this dry red blend Reserve Meritage, 2012 from Noble Ridge is no exception.

At 13 years old the tannins are well integrated and soft. Flavours of plum, blackberry with a light smokiness and tobacco and oak notes in the back ground make this a rather good wine, esp at 13 years old. Its like buying a second hand VW and thinking, well everything is still working, excellent. At about CAD35 its good value too.

 

Le Chemin des Reves, Pic Saint-Loup ‘La Soie’ , Languedoc-Roussillon, 2012, France

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Le Chemin des Reves, Pic Saint-Loup 'La Soie' , Languedoc-Roussillon, 2012, France

Le Chemin des Reves, Pic Saint-Loup ‘La Soie’ , Languedoc-Roussillon, 2012, France

 

This red from Le Chemin des Reves, in the Languedoc is a classy wine, full of red nd black fruit flavours and aromas with depth and smoothness and warmth that makes you want more. It’s handled it’s age well and was excellent with a steak. At £20 a bottle it’s decent value too.

NK’MIP cellars, Meritage, 2012, Okanagan, Canada

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NK'MIP cellars, Meritage, 2012, Okanagan, Canada

NK’MIP cellars, Meritage, 2012, Okanagan, Canada

 

I’ve yet to have a bad bottle of Canadian wine and this Meritage blend from NK’MIP cellars in the Okanagan Valley iis no exception. This though is a fantastic red wine.

Theres not so much on the nose but the black and red fruit flavours are well represented. There’s leather, oak, blueberry undertones with a long length. It’s dry, bold and feels soft when you drink it but there’s good acidity to hold everything together.

At £70 a bottle it’s not cheap but this is quality wine.

 

 

 

Finca La Celia, Heritage, Malbec, 2012, Argentina

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Finca La Celia, Heritage, Malbec, 2012, Argentina

Finca La Celia, Heritage, Malbec, 2012, Argentina

 

This is another excellent Malbec from Mendoza in Argentina, Finca La Celia with their Heritage, Malbec shows that they’re top notch producer. There loads of long length flavours of black fruit with leather and chocolate notes and hints of a herby undertone. Dry, smooth and well integrated firm tannins its a great wine.

We had it with brisket thst was slow cooked for 10 hours and it went very well. At £30 a bottle it’s reasonable value given the quality

Paul Schneider, Pinot Gris, 2012, Alsace, France

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Paul Schneider, Pinot Gris, 2012, Alsace, France

Paul Schneider, Pinot Gris, 2012, Alsace, France

 

I went to Eguisheim in Alsace and it was one of the most fabulous wine places I have been too. There are maybe 30 producers in a village that takes no more than 5 minutes to go from one side to the other and the people were so friendly with the wines so amazing. This 2012 shows how good they last, it has amazing ripe citrus fruits and a slightly thicker texture that makes you just want a sip rather than guzzle. At about £10 a bottle its super value.

Collard-Picard, Archives Millesime, 2012, Champagne, France

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Collard-Picard, Archives Millesime, 2012, Champagne, France

Collard-Picard, Archives Millesime, 2012, Champagne, France

There are champagnes that are frankly overpriced and take more than just the biscuit as the English would say and this is where this Champagne from Collard Picard comes in. It’s a good Champagne as far as they go with good acidity and flavours of lime and citrus fruit but at about £240 a bottle it’s takes more than a bit of biscuit.

 

Provins, Les Titans, Pinot Noir, 2012, Switzerland

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Provins, Les Titans, Pinot Noir, 2012, Switzerland

Provins, Les Titans, Pinot Noir, 2012, Switzerland

This Pinot Noir from Provins winery in Switzerland is quite an interesting wine especially for 9 years old. It’s a light very smooth and dry red wine party as you expect from being a Pinot Noir. You got quite a lot of raspberry cranberry with a bit of earthiness. I found it really quite drinkable although others the try it weren’t that convinced, however the next day it fell off a cliff. Most of flavour had gone and it was very bland, probably best to drink up, at this age in one night.

Swiss wines are expensive anyway and it’s £40 a bottle it’s not cheap. Interesting and I would like to try a younger wine from this winery.

Charles Joguet, Silènes Chinon, 2012, Loire, France

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Charles Joguet, Silènes Chinon, 2012, Loire, France

Charles Joguet, Silènes Chinon, 2012, Loire, France

Charles Joguet, Silènes Chinon, 2012, Loire, France

Charles Joguet, Silènes Chinon, 2012, Loire, France

Charles Joguet makes some wonderful wines and I have been to the vineyard twice and tasted some of them. This 2012 Silènes Chinon, 2012 though should have been drunk a fee years ago.its not aged as I had hoped/ expected from a top producer making cabernet Franc wine. Theres little aroma of the red fruit, plum, tobacco and leather that should be there, the flavours are washed out with only hints of what should be. The tannins are there and the dryness too.

It’s a lesson to drink on an occasion rather than waiting for the perfect occasion.

 

 

Granmonte, The Orient Syrah, 2012, Thailand

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Granmonte, The Orient Syrah, 2012, Thailand

Granmonte, The Orient Syrah, 2012, Thailand

Anyone can make wine but not everyone can make good wine let alone excellent wine, so where does The Orient Syrah come? Its good, very good for an 8 year old Syrah. This was made by someone that clearly knew how to make good wine.

There are aromas of plum, oak, spice and hints of pepper. The flavours of plum, blackberry, blackcurrant are still there but is nice and smooth with mellowness and softness that is a delight.

Thailand is now on the list of countries that can make decent wine, I hope all Thailand wine makers can get to this standard.

La Montine, Millestimato Brut Sparkling, 2012, Franciaorta DOCG, Italy

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This Italian sparkling DOCG wine from La Montina is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.Its a very well crafted wine, very small bubbles, its dry and fresh with ripe fruit rather than a heavy dollop yeasty notes that you would get from Champagne.

We had it with Oysters and dressed crab, the acidity and flavour complimented the food and I did prefer it to Champagne. Well worth the £25 a bottle if you want something as good as the french can produce.

La Montine, Millestimato Brut Sparkling, 2012, Franciaorta DOCG, Italy

La Montine, Millestimato Brut Sparkling, 2012, Franciaorta DOCG, Italy