Buyers' Favourites Sept 2009 - blindtasting

 

Maycas Reserva Especial Chardonnay Unoaked 2007, £8

Chardonnay from cool climate Limari with limestone soil. The style is refined and mineral rather than the more exotic flavours more typical of Chilean chardonnay

Gabi do Xil Godello, Valdeorras, Spain, 2008, £8.50

From Eastern Galicia, near the Rivier Xil, far from the sea and therefore a hot, continental climate. Unoaked, mineral flavours, brisk, tense thirst-quenching

 

Fiano Mandrarossa, Sicily, 2008, £6.50

Made from the Campanian (ie around Naples) grape, this Sicilian example of the wine makes an elegant white with full, fruity aroma (apricot, peach) with good persistence. Excellent value (cheaper than comparable Campanian examples) from the Settesoli co-operative based between Agrigento and Selinunte. 

 

Tahbilk Marsanne 2007, £8

From the Goulborn Valley, Central Victoria, Australia, which has some vineyards dating back to the 1860s. In fact Tahbilk is the largest single holder of marsanne vines in the world with older vines than the Rhône, its original home. Lemony aroma, clean fruit and drinkability.

 

Quintay Vista Hermosa Sauvignon Blanc 2008, £6.50

From a large estate in Casablanca with an interesting variety of Sauvignon Blanc clones, including some from France.  Fresh, gooseberry flavours. 

 

 

The Society's Exhibition Fleurie, France, 2007, £10

One of the so called ten crus of Beaujolais, the ten small areas with their own appellations. Deeply coloured, soft tannins, explosion of fruit, fragrant, charm. Good food wine. 

 

Malumbres Tinto, Navarra,. Spain, 2007, £6.50

 

 

From Corella, Southern Navarra, low yield garnacha and tempranillo. Fruity, peppery aroma, full bodied with the tempranillo contributing some finesse. 

 

Copertino Eloquenza, Masseria Monaci, Itay, 2004, £6.50

From Puglia, deep in the South, from Severino Garofano's own estate.  Made from bush-grown Negroamaro (literally 'dark bitter') grapes, a generously flavoured red, good ripe fruit freshness and grip. 

 

Chateau Courac, Cotes du Rhône, 2006, £7.50

Basically Grenache (compare wine 2 above) but with some syrah, cinsault and mourvèdre. Fruity, not too tannic, but a dry touch. Would develop well in the bottle for a few years. 

 

The Society's Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile, £5.75

Made by Concha y Toro, founded 1883. 100% of wine aged in barriques for eight months. Nose of blackcurrants and cedar, fresh and intensely flavoured palate, good structure ('fine boned'!).