S$100-$150 OPEN THEME - (3/5/2023)
I actually like open themes since they always turn up some interesting wines. Usually I get everything wrong in such dinners, but surprisingly nailed quite a number of wines this time.
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NV Perrier-Jouët Champagne Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne
Lemon peel, strict acidity that made the wine come across as unbalanced. Not a house that I am familiar with and not inclined to seek more out based on this showing. (85 pts.) -
2017 Bruno Giacosa Spumante Extra Brut - Italy, Lombardia, Lombardia Spumante
Surprised that I was the only one who called this as a non-champagne. Rather coarse texture and unusual fungal nose that reminded me of Cava. Mixture of sweet and sour flavours was a little off-putting. (87 pts.) -
NV Amaury Beaufort Champagne Les Jardins de la Porte de Troyes - France, Champagne
Slightly funky and natural nose, but palate was clean and vibrant. Thought this was a young grower, Chard-dominant blend, but was surprised to find out that this was majority Pinot. Nice tension and had character. Bought their higher-level bottle to try based on this. (91 pts.) -
2020 El Enemigo Chardonnay - Argentina, Mendoza
The person who brought this sneakily poured this into a Bordeaux bottle, leading everyone to guess a Bordeaux white. Was quite certain this was a new-world though, except I didn’t have a clue what or where - not surprised on revealing, since I have literally zero South American wines. Non-existent acidity, tropical grapefruit notes with greenness. Pass. (86 pts.) -
2006 Elderton Shiraz Single Vineyard Command - Australia, South Australia, Barossa
So dark in colour with high alcohol and extracted fruit. My first instinct was a 2005 right-bank but once it was revealed to be a non-Bordeaux, it was obvious that this was a Oz Shiraz from the same period. Couldn’t have been a new-world Cab with the lack of greenness, and plummy notes - the slate of new-worlds tasted last Saturday helped me out here. Not my style but drinkable. (89 pts.) -
2006 Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvée Corcelette - France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Morgon
To be fair I had some help from the red wax capsule, but I immediately called this as a Foillard 3.14 with some age. Slightly bretty nose but the palate had lovely waves of red berried fruit. Nicely resolved and integrated, an absolute treat to have tried an aged Foillard. Tartness became more prominent with air. (91 pts.) -
2012 Domaine Amiot-Servelle Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru
Obviously a Burgundy. Was similar to the 2013 village from the same producer that I tried the other week, so made the same mistake to place this as a Vosne because of the five-spice note. Quite closed at first, but with air the floral notes began to show. Silky and elegant dark red fruit, had a fuller, rounder body compared to the 2013. Apparently the village is priced higher than this at the domaine, but the Charmes is clearly the better wine on the evidence of this. Still very primary, guessed 2016 for the vintage. Excellent and should really seek out more of this producer. (93 pts.) -
2017 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Les Mitans - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
Most were in CdN, but thought this was an easy guess as a 2017 CdB. Brooding dark cherry fruit, firm but refined tannins. Curiously became more jammy and candied after some time in a high-toned, new-school style. Clearly a good wine but leave it for at least 10 more years. (91 pts.) -
1996 Château Ferrière - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Thought this was a left-bank from a cooler vintage like ’04 or 06. Lovely restraint and elegance, sensual dark red fruit that should have brought me to Margaux. Pyrazine notes became more apparent with air, liked the restrained and understated nature of this. Proper old-school Bordeaux. (93 pts.) -
1998 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas
My contribution. Most were in Burgundy but someone impressively managed to call this as a Rhone. Resolved with some bramble and soy notes. Mellow blueberry fruit with a hint of lavender, age has really softened this wine to be about finesse rather than power which was surprising for a southern Rhône. (91 pts.)
