Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009: panel tasting results

Ogier, Expression de Terroir, Safres 

Rich, spicy forest fruit, jammy strawberry, earth, mineral outcrops and blackcurrant nose. Elegant style with round, soft tannins, generous weight and a long, fruity, rich finish. Quite complex, integrated and delicious. 19pts/20

Ogier, Expression de Terroir, Galets Roulés 

Oak, spice, tarry, jammy strawberry, creamy vanilla oak and earthy complexity on the nose. True Grenache with a floral and calm expression. Really silky and smooth tannins – it has a beautiful structure and balance. Delicious. 17.75pts/20

Ogier, Chorégies du Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes 

Perfumed and vivacious, smoke, burnt toast, rose petal, cherry, berry, orange peel and spice bouquet. Ripe and harmonious structure with black fruit flavours converted pleasingly to a satisfying dénouement. Dangerously drinkable. 16.83pts/20

The Chateauneuf du pape 2009 tasters include: (from left to right) Nick Adams MW runs his consultancy company First Glass Wine Services. Andrea Bricarello is head Sommelier at the Michelin-starred Galvin La Chapelle in London. Margaret Rand is a regular contributor to Decanter and general editor of Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book. Philippe Messy is co-patron of Chabrot Bistrot d’Amis in Knightsbridge, London. Beverley Blanning MW is a regular Decanter taster, author and international competition judge. Annette Scarfe consults for a number of restaurants in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. John Livingstone- Learmonth has published four books on the Rhône; The Wines of the Northern Rhône won the 2006 Louis Roederer International Wine Book of the Year. He is an honorary citizen of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Susan Hulme MW is an international competition judge, and runs education company Vintuition Tom Forrest is an author and resident wine expert at Vinopolis, the wine attraction in London Dirceu Vianna Junior MW is buying director for UK merchant Coe Vintners. he is also a writer, technical consultant and international wine competition judge. Simon Field MW joined Berry Bros & Rudd in 1998. The Rhône is among his favourite areas of buying responsibility  Marcel Orford- Williams joined The Wine Society as a buyer in 1986 and his specialties include the Rhône Also tasting: Stephen Brook is a Decanter contributing editor. He has written about wine for almost 30 years.
Read more at http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34003/slideshow/0/ch-teauneuf-du-pape-2009-panel-tasting-results#O3I5BBx1iQw90DJ4.99

Netherlands: Ogier is imported by Verbunt Wijnkopers and sold by www.wijnkring.nl (see website for the nearest shop) 

Yalumba's best white by Decanter

Yalumba

Eden Valley, South Australia

With chief winemaker Louisa Rose (pictured) and director of winemaking Brian Walsh setting the style, Yalumba is arguably the greatest white producer in Australia, with a wide range of varieties at the top level and an unusual level of pioneering exploration. In that area, Yalumba has made Viognier its own, producing about seven each year (including an organic bottling and a stunning Wrattonbully Botrytis Viognier). The flagship wine is Virgilius (the regular Eden Valley Viognier is less worked and almost as good) and other new varieties include Running With Bulls Vermentino. But it’s Riesling that is this family company’s great strength, all grown in the Eden Valley. Pewsey Vale (and its five-year-old reserve release, The Contours) has been extended to an off-dry version, Prima. Heggies and the cellar-aged Heggies Reserve are outstanding in a more austere style, and Mesh is a justly celebrated joint venture with Grosset. Yalumba Chardonnay is less fêted but recent strides have been made with FDW Adelaide Hills (made with Dijon clones), Heggies and Heggies Reserve. Heggies also yields stunning botrytised Noble Riesling.

Yalumba, Virgilius Viognier 2009 

Discreet, subtle aromas, a lick of restrained toasty oak, and spicy fruit which is complex and a far cry from one-dimensional, apricotty Viogniers. A sneaky hint of honey adds complexity. Smooth and very long finishing. Beautiful balance. Could easily take more age.18.5pts/20
Price: £24.99 AC Gallie, Harrods, Majestic, Nidderdale Fine Wine, Planet of the Grapes, Selfridges, Slurp, Taurus Wines, The Wine Society
Drink: 2012–2017
Alc: 13.5%

In the Netherlands @Yalumba is imported by +Verbunt Wijnkopers  and sold +Wijnkring 














Read more at http://www.decanter.com/wine/reports/530406/yalumba#djPk44FYbdhV101w.99

Vintage Champagne latest releases:

Pol Roger 2004 

Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts)Individual judges’ scores: Michael Edwards 18 Nancy Gilchrist MW 18.5 Ronan Sayburn MS 17.5 

Round, ripe peach and lemon with some rich autolytic aromas and suggestions of other exciting ingredients including fresh ginger. It has the fullness, balance, poise, focus and length that I would wish to find in a top-drawer Champagne.

Price £55–£59.50


Drink 2016–2024 
Alc 12.5%
Read more at http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34407/slideshow/1/vintage-champagne-latest-releases-panel-tasting-results#o1U7tr7c3byyy15m.99


In the Netherlands Pol Roger Champagne is represented by Verbunt Wijnkopers. www.verbunt.nl

Australia's best: Yalumba chief winemaker, Louisa Rose.

Australia's 10 best winemakers

We asked 100 wine experts to decide the country's top 10 wine producers - and found a male domain has been invaded.

In 2003 we dared to ask the question: who are Australia's best winemakers?

Who got the pulse racing, the lips smacking in anticipation of not just a wine but something magical and truly uplifting in a glass?

The results showed a mix of old-school, technological brilliance and new wave, with riesling winemaker extraordinaire John Vickery of Leo Buring fame in first place followed by Petaluma founder Brian Croser and chardonnay master Rick Kinzbrunner of Giaconda.

Number two: Jeffrey Grosset, of Jeffrey Grosset Wines.

Today, we revisit the question.

Who are the best living/working winemakers in Australia? We have asked 100 winemakers, wine buyers and sommeliers across the nation and here are the results.

As you will see, a lot has changed in 11 years.

Number three: Vanya Cullen, of Cullen Wines.

In 2003, there were no women in the top three. There were two in the Top 10 with the highest placing going to Vanya Cullen at number four.

In 2014, three women are now considered among the best winemakers in Australia. Is this a step towards greater recognition in what has been a traditionally male domain? It seems that way.

Eight winemakers (including both ''equal'' fourth-place getters) in the 2014 Top 10 represent small wineries where some of the most idiosyncratic and exciting winemaking developments are taking place in Australia.

Number four: Stephen Pannell, of S.C, Pannell Wines, McLaren Vale.

But it also appears that the role models many winemakers hold dear today are long-time industry stalwarts. Five winemakers in 2014 also appeared in the Top 10 back in 2003.

Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are:

1. LOUISA ROSE Yalumba

Number five: Rick Kinzbrunner of Giaconda Wines, Beechworth.

To her Barossa Valley winery colleagues she is Lou but to her admirers - and she has legions among her colleagues - she is a "rockstar", a "leader" and a "great communicator".

Louisa Rose's correct title is head of winemaking at Yalumba and the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards but in simpler terms, she is the custodian of both Yalumba tradition and innovation at the 165-year-old winery. It's a big task but one she has been groomed for since her first vintage at Yalumba in 1992 straight from her wine studies and her parents' vineyard in the Yarra Valley.

Her gifts as a taster and winemaker have been on display ever since.

Number six: Tim Kirk, of Clonakilla Wines, Canberra.

She is acknowledged as one of the country's top riesling makers, the voice of Eden Valley riesling under Yalumba's Pewsey Vale label. And then there's viognier. It's her baby, the wine she is now most closely associated with, simply because Yalumba dared to believe the Rhone Valley white grape had a future in this country.

"She took on the winemaking challenge with gusto," recalls her mentor, former Yalumba chief winemaker, Brian Walsh. He considers Yalumba is the most influential producer of viognier in the world today due in large part to her work.

The great viognier project turned into an often frustrating search for flavour.

Number 10: Larry Cherubino of Larry Cherubino Wines, WA.

"Of all the grape varieties I deal with, viognier as relatively no flavour until it is ripe," she explains. "You've got to be patient and then one day you'll taste apricots and honeysuckle (in the grapes). Gorgeous!"

Walsh recruited Rose for her "intelligence" and "practicality" but soon found, he says, a person with a profound work ethic and ability to multi-task. She is not only chief winemaker but farmer, senior wine judge and wine industry representative on many boards and councils. As the chair of the board at the Australian Wine Research Institute, co-chair of the South Australian Wine Industry Council and member of the South Australian Agribusiness Council (among other out-of-hours pursuits) she is one of the most influential winemakers in the country.

● Signature wine? Yalumba The Virgilius Eden Valley viognier $50.

● Louisa Rose's top winemakers: Iain Riggs (Brokenwood), Sue Hodder (Wynn's), John Duval (John Duval Wines).

Read more at: http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/drink/australias-10-best-winemakers-20140802-3d0ag.html

In the Netherlands Yalumba wines are imported by Verbunt Wijnkopers www.verbunt.nl

Bodegas Salentein in James Suckling Tasting Report 2014

JAMES SUCKLING TASTING REPORT 2014: ARGENTINA'S BREATHTAKING ATTRACTION

James Suckling is an internationally acclaimed wine critic and journalist (he was Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief of Wine Spectator) who posts daily wine ratings, wine reviews, HD wine videos, blogs, wine tasting notes, and comments from around world.

  93 Points - SALENTEIN NUMINA SPIRIT VINEYARD GRAN CORTE 2011

TASTING NOTES

Lots of mineral, licorice and dark berry character aromas follow through to a full body, integrated

tannins and a long, spicy, dried fruit and dried herb character. Beautiful finish. A blend of 61%

malbec, 21% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 7% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc. Drink now.

92 Points - SALENTEIN PRIMUS MALBEC 2010

TASTING NOTES

A dense malbec with minerals, dark chocolate and spices on the nose and palate. It is full and tight

with firm tannins and a long finish. Delicious now. Why wait? But it will age beautifully.

 90 Points - SALENTEIN SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC 2011 - PLOT NO. 21

TASTING NOTES

I love the attractive aromas of crushed berry and plums with hints of flowers. Medium body, fine

tannins and a refined and elegant finish. This is so drinkable now. Refined single vineyard malbec.

ABOUT JAMES SUCKLING RATING SYSTEM:

I rate wines using the 100-point scale. I have used this point system for close to 25 years. I still believe it is the simplest way to rate a wine, with its origins from grade school in the United States. A wine that I rate 90 points or more is outstanding (A), and an outstanding purchase. It is a wine that I want to drink! If I rate a wine 95 points or more (A+), it is a must buy. If I rate it 89 to 85, it's still worth buying. I wouldn't recommend spending your money on a wine rated lower.