The Wine Club - Reserve Discovery Case

Reserve Discovery Case - July 2009

1 bottle of each of the following 12 wines:

2006 Riesling Steinhaus, Austria (White)
Riesling, 14% alc.
I absolutely loved this wine when I first tried it. I think it has some of the characteristics of a German Riesling but with a softer more approachable edge. So although the acidity is marked, it is not as prominent as it might be on a Teutonic equivalent. Salads are often hard dishes to match to wines- the combination of lots of different ingredients can cause problems- but I think this would be great with a warm salad that involved scallops with the creaminess of the shellfish echoed in the creamy weight of the wine. Perfect for summer drinking and a very reasonable price for the quality on show here.
(Katie Cooper - Wine Club Manager)

1995 Ch. Giscours, Margaux, Bordeaux (Red)
Cab.Sauvignon Blend, 12% alc.
Giscours is a 3rd Classified Growth from the Margaux appellation, capable of producing wines with an exotic, port-like bouquet and lush texture on the palate. Recently purchased by a Dutch millionaire who has invested vast sums to improve both the property and the wines produced, the estate is now scaling new heights. 1995 is a lovely, mature example of what it can do; a ripe, round claret from a superb vintage now reaching maturity.

2005 Chablis, Didier & Pascal Picq, Burgundy (White)
Chardonnay, 13% alc.
The Picq brothers, Pascal in the vineyard and Didier in the cellar, make some of the Chablis region’s most enjoyable and reliable wine from their base in the hamlet of Chichée. We select a special blend from the Paradis and Sémons vineyards, offering a full rich mouthful without losing Chablis’ classic mineral character.
(Jasper Morris MW - BBR Burgundy Buyer)

2006 Casa Lapostolle, Classic Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley, Chile (Red)
85% Cab.Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 13% alc.
Made from 85% Cabernet and 15% Malbec from the Rapel Valley, Casa Lapostolle's wine has notes of cherry, cassis and plum, all discreetly balanced with oak.

2006 Langhe Nebbiolo DOC, Az. Agr. Giuseppe Mascarello, Piedmont, Italy (Red)
Nebbiolo, 13.5% alc.
From an outstanding vintage, an intensely focused nose full of compact strawberry and sandalwood notes; the palate similarly so, this 'baby Barolo' combines an impressive concentration of strawberry, almost menthol flavours, poise as well as a withering charm. Especially fine with turkey and stuffing.
(David Berry Green, BBR Buyer)

2006 Chambolle-Musigny, Patrice Rion, Burgundy (Red)
Pinot Noir, 13% alc.
Chambolle village grapes from Patrice’s own Les Cras vineyard mixed with grapes from the Premier Crus of Gruenchers, and Noiraux have been blended to make this lively, persistent cuvée.

2005 Domaine de Familongue, La Bastide aux Oliviers,Vin de Pays D'Oc, France (Red)
Syrah, Cinsault, Merlot, Carignan, Cab. Sauvignon, 13% alc.

Familongue are in the habit of winning prizes, and they certainly impressed me earlier this year when tasted blind at a Sopexa Tasting (Vin de Pays Top 100) organised by Tim Atkin MW, where, once again they picked up a Trophy. A lovely, beautifully balanced wine; made up of Syrah 4%, Cinsault 12%, Merlot 23%, Carignan 36%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, a slightly unusual blend, but one that seems to work well. A deep purple robe then a nose of wild raspberry, licorice and tapenade; the palate is profound, with an attractive sweetness, fine tannins and plenty of Mediterranean warmth."
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

2006 Qupé Viognier/Chardonnay Bien Nacido Cuvée, Santa Maria Valley, California (White)
Viognier, Chardonnay, 13.5% alc.
A thoroughly original, Californian blend of 50% Viognier, 50% Chardonnay, fermented & aged in non-new French barrels for 5 months, so providing subtle structure & complexity while retaining the grapes' pure expression. Excellent with a fine chook.
(David Berry Green-BBR Buyer)

2006 Vacqueyras 'Les Clos', Domaine Montirius, Rhone (Red)
Grenache, Syrah, 14% alc.
From 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the wine has a charming nose of blackberries and truffle. Its texture is expansive and velvety, with all the charm of the vintage generously thrilling the palate.
(Simon Field MW, Rhône Buyer)

2005 Artadi El Seque, DO Alicante, Spain (Red)
Tempranillo/Tinto Fino, 14.5% alc.
The elder bother to the highly popular Laderas, the El Seque shows Monastrel trooping its not inconsiderable colour with great aplomb.Afforded 14 months in part-new French oak, this is Juan Carlos' best vintage to date. Raspberry confit and creamy vanillin chronicle a triumph foretold; fennel, licorice, wild herbs and mocha all evidenced, comfortable on the plush of a seamless structure.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

2006 Tres Olmos, Bodegas Garciarevalo, Rueda, Spain (White)
Verdejo, 13% alc.
The combination of zingy acidity and a full body make Tres Olmos Bodegas Garciarevalo an interesting wine to sample. This is the perfect option for a lazy al fresco lunch with friends and would be equally good as an aperitif all year round. Dry with a crisp acidity but relatively full-bodied, the palate reflects the honeysuckle and blossom character of the nose although those flavours are subtle and in balance. A lovely lemony character balances the riper apricot fruit lending different dimensions to this appealing wine.
(Katie Cooper - Wine Club Manager)

2007 Petalos, Descendientes de J Palacios, Bierzo, Spain
Mencia, 14% alc.
From 60 year-old vines, and farmed biodynamically, the latest triumph from Alvaro Palacios, completing his triptych of Spanish vineyards ( the others, of course, are in Rioja and Priorat). The intriguing Mencia grape is an early ripener, but, with old vine pedigree, holds a wonderful depth of colour and is far from reminiscent to Cabernet Franc, as was once alleged. A fascinating nose of herbs and spice gives way to fruits dominated by damson and dark cherries; the fascination is held on the palate with notes of tea, bitter chocolate, macerated fruit and even something a little chalky evidenced.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)