Chignard Fleurie Les Moriers 2018

Chignard Fleurie Les Moriers 2018

  12:30    Stu.

---

As I understand it. Les Moriers is a steep vineyard that sweeps down into Moulin-a-Vent territory, so this comes across as something like a hybridisation of those two fine Crus. 

It certainly opens with conviction, it has an evocative fruit/ savoury mix on intro, kinda like black cherry and raspberry with a sprinkling of  earth and dried mushroom. 

It's a wine of focus and precision, an ultra fine tannin that guides the body of the wine and delivers - seemingly perpetually. There's a Fruit tartness to the wine, yet it's not out of place, feeling and fresh and vibrant. A sheer delight. 95

Tasted on: Friday 24th January 

Source: Retail, Cru Bar
Price: $38.99
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Cork
Importer: https://www.andrewguard.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py 2011

Jean Foillard Morgon Côte du Py 2011

  13:35    Stu.

---

The importer of this wine is thankful that the producer doesn't live in Burgundy. So am I. I'd been keen to try this for a while, promptly securing a bottle when I finally found it at a retail store in Brisbane. Contrary to what other addicts may do, the thrill of securing a small piece of such a consumable product was enough, leaving this bottle to gently rest in the sanctity of the wine fridge. But there comes a time, a moment when such an item calls, its lure can be resisted no longer.

At a time when many wines receive glowing, effusive reviews - and scores in the mid-high 90s - I felt a curious combination of guilt and vulgarity at awarding this wine a mere 95 points. A wine attracting such an award should be considered world class, a claim I'd be happy to stand behind here. However, draw from my confession what you will.

Opens to funk, meat/charcuterie; earthen beetroot, florals, cherry pie and fresh cracked pepper. Possesses a velvet like entry, excellent dense cherry fruit; structured, moving to a mineral laden and firmer core, acid aiding and abetting length. 

And oh what length it has - so impressive in its sustain. A wine that straddles a line, a double-helix of firmness and elegance. 95

Tasted on: Saturday 25th October
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $60ish
Alcohol: ?
Closure: Cork
Importer Website: http://www.andrewguard.com.au/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Terres Dorées l'Ancien Le Buissy 2009

Terres Dorées l'Ancien Le Buissy 2009

  21:37    Stu.

---

We're talking Beaujolais here, so fruit is drawn from the Beaujolais area, but not from within one of the ten named Crus (as with this Morgon from producer Jean-Paul Brun, owner of the Terres Dorées domain).

This wine is produced from fruit off of 70-odd year old vines - good going - and elevage is in five year old barriques, it's about letting that old vine character shine through.

Shows a cherry, a little blackberry and florals on the nose, however it is the palate where the wine's character is best exhibited. Citrussy tang on first introduction, then chalky tannin and a little mineral early; the wine shows a complex mix of texture, acod and fruit - somewhat at odds with what many see as the easy going nature of Beaujolais.

The finish is sustained, a little almond in the mix over time, but simply put the wine is a joy to savour and drink. 91 - Very Good
 
Tasted on: Sunday 16th June, a Fruit Day
Source: http://www.livingwines.com.au
Price: $33
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Terres Dorées Morgon 2010

Terres Dorées Morgon 2010

  16:31    Stu.

---

Fresh, hints of cassis and violets, background stone-fruit and citrus tones present too. Morgon is one of the ten Crus of Beaujolais and J-P Brun’s example – natural yeasts, minimal additions - shows a lovely contrast between aromatic freshness and palate depth. 

In the mouth we see the common charcuterie, here with flecks of spice. There’s vibrant spice throughout, backed up with a little drying rub of fine tannin. 92 - Very Good 

Tasted on: Tuesday 5th February, a Leaf Day 
Source: Purchase from Importer
Price: $33
Alcohol:12%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.livingwines.com.au

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

Terres Dorées Moulin a Vent 2010

Terres Dorées Moulin a Vent 2010

  21:13    Stu.

---

Moulin a Vent is one of Beaujolais's ten named crus, and Terres Dorées is the Estate of Jean-Paul Brun, a winemaker focussed on more traditional methods of wine production, against the prevailing use of cultured yeasts and chaptalization.

Wines from the cru are generally regarded as those that are expected to be the longest lived, the most concentrated - somewhat atypical of most Beaujolais the wine fancier may be familiar with.

Initially juice and fresh, berry fruit aromatics (cherry, and blueberry) with florals, hints of wood - sandalwood - and spice.  Think a used cinnamon stick, not the sweetness of the cinnamon, the woody latent spice instead.  Secondary deeper characters, meaty and savoury, make themselves known with time.

Light on entry - ethereal, at risk of incurring the wrath of the twitterati - a little earthen, berry fruit and yet savoury depth.  There's black fruit present, leafy character and pleasing drying mouthfeel.  Tannin is drying, leafy, providing generous length.  91 - Very Good

Tasted on: Thursday 13th December, a Leaf Day
Source: http://www.livingwines.com.au/
Price: $37
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Cork

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More

A Spot of Solo Dining

A Spot of Solo Dining

  10:18    Stu.

---

A blog post by friend Keira McIntosh - The Super Taster - on solo dining, inspired me to have a decent meal out whilst up in Townsville on a short business trip.  My host for the evening was Salt Cellar, self-billed as "Palmer Street's premier wine bar and restaurant" and in all fairness they are right.

My entree was a Ninth Island Pinot Noir 2010 (this website is about wine after all) paired with Maple Glazed Pork Belly, served with pear quinoa, tonka bean cream and sticky balsamic.  Some hastily sought advice from twitter identified this Tassy Pinot Noir (though incorrectly labelled from the Yarra Valley) as possibly the best option. 

Somewhat muted aromatics: sour cherry and a hint of balsamic that matched the pork.  Light chewy tannin - a good foil for the delicate pork. 

The quinoa had a nuttiness I mistook for a sesame snap (it was low-light)! The finish offered more sour cherry. All up rather simple, safe choice that paired well with the pork belly.  

For main course I opted for a Georges Debouef Chiroubles 2009.  From one of the higher sites in Beaujolais, this wine had an ethereal quality to it.  A soft aroma - if you can smell soft.  Juicy strawberry, cassis and redcurrant aromas.  Yes, I could smell it's delicate nature. 

The palate showed excellent harmony.  An incredible lightness followed by some perky acid and then a slight tannic grip to ensure that the mouth is well placed to handle the Confit Duck.  This wine is available in Australia for about $23. Try Cloud Wine

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

Read More