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My top 10 wines of 2017
2017 has been a remarkable year for our wine journey, from geeky blind tastings to extravagant wine events, there was not a single dull moment in all the wine gatherings. Thanks to all my friends for making this possible! 10. 2003 d’Auvenay Mazis Chambertin D’Auvenay Mazis Chambertin is a different kettle of fish in Gevrey Chambertin. It is majestic, classy and generous while remaining elegant and subtle. We were quite surprised by this wine, it has no resemblance to this vintage. Gorgeous array of flavours with some 2004 under-ripe characteristics. Profound floral nose. Ethereal, mixed dark berries, buttery, ultra pure and oak chips, lovely sweetness and wonderful terroir. Amazing purity…
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Laurent-Perrier
Laurent Perrier is one of the most famous Champagnes across the world. As of 2017, Laurent-Perrier is the fifth largest Champagne brands in the world. Unlike other large Champagne houses that are mostly owned by multinational companies, Laurent Perrier remains family-owned. Brief History Laurent-Perrier was founded in 1812 (also the birth year of Charles Dickens), it was owned by a few families over the past two decades. Bernard de Nonancourt took over Laurent Perrier in 1948 after a three year apprenticeship with Delamotte and Lanson. Until the management of de Nonancourt, Laurent-Perrier turned into one of the biggest Champagne houses in the world, the sales increased by one hundredfold from…
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Paitin Barbaresco Serraboella and Barbaresco Sori Paitin Vecchie Vigne
The Pasquero Elia family have been producing wines from the Serraboella vineyard for 8 generations. Azienda Agicola Paitin dates back to 1796 when Benedetto Eila first purchased a farm including vineyards and wine cellar from Luigi Pellisero. Now Paitin owns 17 hectares of vineyards, predominantly Nebbiolo with some Barbera, Dolcetto, Arneis, and strangely tiny bits of Riesling. Barbaresco Serraboella 2013 The Serraboella (previously labelled as ‘Serra’) is the entry level Barbaresco of Paitin, made from 100% Nebbiolo from the 11 hectare Serraboella vineyard. The grapes used in this entry level Barbaresco predominantly comes from the west side of this vineyard. The 2013 Paitin Barbaresco Serraboella is the lightest of all…
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The legendary Domaine d’Auvenay
If I had to choose a desert island wine, it would probably be a wine from either Domaine Leroy or Domaine d’Auvenay… Brief History Domaine d’Auvenay is owned and managed by Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy, the woman behind Domaine Leroy and Maison Leroy. Domaine d’Auvenay was created by Lalou Bize-Leroy in 1988 with the help of her late husband, Marcel Leroy. Biodynamic methods were applied onto d’Auvenay’s vineyard since the beginning. The estate is based in Saint Romain, a 10 minutes drive from Meursault. Domaine d’Auvenay owns 4 ha (including recent addition of Batard Montrachet) of vineyards in Burgundy, from village to some of the most sough-after Grand Cru plots. In…
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The 2013 Bordeaux Tasting Report
2013 was the most challenging year in Bordeaux many vine-growers and winemakers have seen in the past three decades. Many red Bordeaux in 2013 are diluted and failed to achieve full sugar ripeness (fruit) and phenolic ripeness (tannin). 2013 started poor with wet spring, uneven and late flowering. January had 51mm more rain than usual, the soil was wet and delayed bud break. A large proportion of yield was lost due to the rain in flowering. Most vines had insufficient photosynthesis. Then they had the hottest July for over 60 years, sadly storm broke out at the end of July, with Pessac-Leognan affected the worst. After the hail and storm…
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Spain’s big guns, Bodega Numanthia
There are a couple of important wine regions in Castilla y Leon, located in the northern half of Spain. It is a hot and dry region where the most of Spain’s heritage sites are found in. The most crucial wine region in Castilla y Leon is Ribera del Duero, a prime region with many top Tempranillo producers such as Vega Sicilia, Pingus, Aalto, etc. The less famous region is Toro, a region known for its powerful, robust and high alcohol Tempranillo. Bodega Numanthia is one of the two most famous producer in Toro if not the most famous. Numanthia is famous for their muscular red wines made from 100% Tinta…
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Château Margaux Premier Grand Cru Classé
Chateau Margaux is one of the most important estates in Bordeaux, it is one of the 5 First Growth producers in The Mèdoc Classification of 1855. Like many Chateaux in Bordeaux, Chateau Margaux went through many changes in ownership and has suffered a period of underinvestment and variability in the quality of their wines. Brief History of Chateau Margaux To put the history of Chateaux Margaux in short, it all begun in the 12th century under the name ‘La Mothe de Margaux’, the Lestonnac family took over in the 16th century, restructured the property and focused more on producing wines than grains. The Lestonnac family continued the ownership (through the…
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Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé (from Bourgogne Blanc to Musigny)
Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé is one of the top producers in Chambolle Musigny, along with J.F. Mugnier and G. Roumier. Owning a share of the best three vineyards of Chambolle Musigny, Le Musigny, Les Amoureuses and Bonnes Mares. Vogüé certainly has no shortage of top terroir in Burgundy. Vogue Bourgogne Blanc Comte Georges de Vogue is the only producer who owns Chardonnay vines in Le Musigny, owning a mere 0.65 hectares of chardonnay vines in Musigny. Due to replanting in 1987, 1991, and 1997, and the average age of the chardonnay is below 25 years old. François Millet believes that vines younger than 25 years old are unworthy of…
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Miloš Vineyard, a pioneer in Dalmatia (Croatia)
Croatia may not be the most famous country when it comes to wine production, but it actually has a long history of winemaking, some of their vineyards dates back to 2,500 years ago. Sadly many of the Croatian vineyards and winemaking culture was destroyed by phylloxera then the ruling of the communism system of Yugoslavia and the Croatian war of independence. The number of quality, independent growers are gradually increasing, and Croatian wines are gaining more attention in the wine trade. Peljesca Peninsula is a wine region on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, majority of the vineyards in Peljesca is Plavac Mali. Plavac Mali is an indigenous grape varietal in…
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A ‘Table Wine’ that outperformed Cheval Blanc! Domaine de la Grange des Peres
Yes, I know it’s a misleading title… and it is very unfair to compare Domaine de la Grange des Peres 2003 to a Cheval Blanc from a weak vintage (1994), and I am sorry for misleading you. But I guarantee you will not be disappointed with Grange des Peres! Domaine de la Grange des Peres is a unique producer, located in the l’Hérault of the Languedoc region where the limestone is hard and soil is poor. Laurent Vaillé had to use dynamites and bulldozer to clear the limestone after he purchased the vineyard in 1989. Prior to buying his own vineyard, he worked for Jean-François Coche-Dury, Chave in Hermitage as…
