Review Round-up (June-July 2018)
Fortunate to have been born in the great city of Liverpool and to fall into the world of wine. More than 20 years later I'm Boutinot's marketing manager for much of Europe (mostly Italy and Spain) and more than content with my compact family, including 3 cats (sadly just the 11 legs) and a 1969 'Dark Star' (no, not a wine!)
Quite a selection of reviews for you this month!…
Grésy Chardonnay 2015: “… understated and gracious in this vintage. Despite the warm vintage, the Chardonnay Grésy plays off freshness and more of an orchard fruit/citrus profile than was once the case. There is lovely concentration and depth, but those elements are nicely balanced. 91 points.” Antonio Galloni (1st June 2018) – Piedmont’s Affordable Gems
Will Lyons selection of Summer Sizzlers, Sunday Time Magazine (3rd June):
Les Six, Cairanne AOP 2015, Boutinot Rhône:“From the Rhône Valley comes this intriguing blend of six grape varieties, including grenache , counoise and cairanne . Soft and smooth, with notes of dark red fruit and the region’s signature pepperiness.” Will Lyons
Victoria Moore, writing in the Daily Telegraph selected two Rosé’s:
Pasquiers Grenache Cinsault Rosé 2017: “Made in the Languedoc but its a very good copy of a Provençal style – pale and with a savoury, herbaceous quality and a nip and tuck on the finish.“
Rimauresq ‘R’ Cru Classe Rosé 2016: “The best Provençal roses are delicate and gentle, but, like a fine perfume, filled with subtle detail. Rimauresq is one such wine. A beauty.”
From the Wine Advocate:
We’re currently on the 2014 vintage, but the next vintage will be 2016 which received this glowing review from the Wine Advocate:
Sentiers de Bagatelle ‘Cuvée Donnadieu’, Saint-Chinian Rouge 2016 (FCB009):
“From schist soils, the 2016 Saint Chinian Les Sentiers de Bagatelle Donnadieu is a foudre-aged blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. A silky, delicate expression of site made for drinking when young, it combines hints of cracked pepper, garrigue and blueberries into a medium to full-bodied wine that’s harmonious and elegant.” Joe Czerwinski, 91 Points, The Wine Advocate (Issue 236, 27th April 2018).
Brisa de Verano Garnatxa Blanca 2017: “It’s another lovely wine to pop when the sun’s out and there’s some fish grilling on the barbie. It’s made from Garnatxa or Grenache Blanc as it’s known in France. A small percentage of macabeu is added for texture to produce a wine that is peachy on the nose and quite full and rounded on the palate with a hint of creaminess.” Andy Cronshaw…
– who also reviewed Bottega Vinai Nosiola 2017: “Another more unusual grape variety here in Nosiola which comes from the word nocciola meaning hazelnut. There’s definitely a nuttiness to the wine. It’s made in Toblino, home to one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes. The aroma and palate is dominated by pear-like notes, while the textures are a little honeyed. This could match chicken but any barbecued fish dish would be ideal.” (Stockport and Macclesfield Express, 6th June 2018)
