Spending over a month in Australia has definitely helped in improving my understanding and appreciation of Australian wines.  Interestingly, it has also helped solidify my wine preference.  There are lots of very good wines in Australia but, I’ve realised that I am a crazy fan of aged old world wines which focuses more on balance and the wines being velvety smooth.

I do have lots of friends who are big fans of strong and powerful red wines (such as Barossa Valley Shiraz’s) and I can completely understand their preference.  Post my trip, I have been checking my wine notes of recently tasted old world wines and I can happily say…”Honey, I’m Home!”

Tasting

Lumiere Histoire 2011

OK… after all this talk of old world wines, what is a Japanese wine doing here :-P.  This is an interesting wine from Yamanishi prefecture which I recently tasted with a few friends in Tokyo.  Tasted: June 2013.

Nose: Cheesy smell, hidden white flowers, white pear

Taste:  medium light body, smooth body, no acidity, no dryness.

Finish:  no finish to think off.

I admit, this is not my first choice if I have one.

Champagne Lahaye, Blanc de Noir NV.

Tasted June 2013 when I visited my friends in Singapore.  I’ve had this on numerous occasions and it does not disappoint.

Nose:  almonds, lemon zest, hint of green apple

Taste: great balance, medium weight, good acidity,

Finish: decent finish of 20 second

A v v nice champagne to go with Chinese food (tasted with Teochew cuisine)

Clos des Papes 2001

Nose: red and blackberries, strong cherry nose, hint of white pepper

Taste: good smooth texture, secondary flavours of berries and plum.  Hint tannin

Finish: long finish of 30 second

A very nice GSM blend from this legendary producer.  Given its age, all the harsh tannins have receded leaving a lovely smooth texture.  Tasted along the champagne with Teochew cuisine.  Lovely!

Blain Gagnard Chassgne Montrachet Caillerets 1er Cru 2009

Tasted July 2013

Colour: pale straw yellow

Nose: oily, white apple, pear, white flower, honey

Taste: beautiful silky texture, typical Chassagne body with the fruit taking centre stage. White flowers and good acidity

Finish:  white apple and pear finish.  c25 seconds.

Lovely wine and keeps on improving in the glass.  After lots of swinging, the wine opens up to velvety smoothness.

Cathiard Vosne Romanee Aux   Reignots 1er Cru 2008

Tasted July 2013

Colour- dark ruby red

Nose- dense mix of red n black fruits, hint of vanilla, upon opening smells like a Pauillac then reverting back to a Vosne nose.

Taste- velvety smooth with power! Good balance between fruits and tannin.  Hint of mint @ finish.

Finish- long minty finish of over 30 seconds.

A very good wine that is bound to put on more weight and improve with age.

Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee Village 2005

Tasted August 2013 in Sydney Australia.

Nose:  beautiful red and black fruits, cherries, velvety rose perfume, hint of vanilla

Taste: medium bodied, good fruit, velvety fruit,

Finish: good 20 second  sweet fruity finish.

A good wine but shame about paying the WET tax in Australia.

Domaine Tollot-Beaut Chorey Les Beaune 2010

Tasted August 2013

Nose:  cowpat at first, then slowly opened up for red fruit, cherries, raspberry,

Taste: acidic taste, red fruits, medium light body, simple structure.

Finish: 15 second finish.

A decent and simple glass of burg.  On of those daily wines if you can afford it.

Domaine De la Vougeraie, Gevrey Chambertin Les Evocelles 2009

Tasted August 2013

Nose: red fruit nose, green muskiness from the oak, hint of vanilla

Taste: medium bodied, red fruits, slight hint of acidity

Finish: short finish of 15 second

Interesting wine with the potential to add on weight after a few more cellar age.

Domaine De la Vougeraie, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2007

Tasted August 2013

Nose: red fruits, strawberries, hint to green, velvet texture, hint of mint

Taste: medium full bodied, red fruits, good texture, velvety smooth

Finish: 25 second finish

On a different level to Evocelles even though it is from the 2007 vintage.  Good concentration.

Olivier Leflaive Meursault Tillets 2010

Tasted August 2013

Nose: white flower, lemon peel, hint of honeysuckle

Taste: sweet fruits, hint of apricot, slight acidity.  Good texture.

Finish: 15 second semi dry finish.

Relatively simple wine given the price.  Not sure if I am paying for the wine or for Leflaive???

Sebastien Magnien, Beaune !er Cru, Les Aigrots 2006

Nose: red fruits, strawberries and raspberries, hint of vanilla and lavender.

Taste: red fruits, started out light but gained weight once opened, good texture with a slight acidity

Finish: fruity finish of c20 seconds.

A half decent wine.  Shame I only have a bottle.