WineInspector Magazine March Edition

The newest magazine is now available. This time you find very interesting wines from Italy and Germany. The vintage of Biondi Santi (Tenuta "Greppo") shows great elegance, while two hidden gems of Germany surprise with (very) good collections. Furthermore we present you the wine of the month, which comes from Fossacolle. Click here or on the picture to check out these beauties....

You find a short overview about the wines we tested below. For the detailed tasting notes and ratings, please check out our magazine.

- none

- Château de Targé Coteaux de Saumur Moelleux AOC 2011
- Weingut Mohr Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling TBA 2011- Tenuta Greppo Jacopo Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata DOCG 2009
- Tenuta Greppo Jacopo Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2008
- Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009
- Condado de Haza Crianza DO 2009
- Baron de Ladoucette Comte Lafon Grande Cuvée AOC 2011

- Château de Targé Les Fresnettes AOC 2012
- Château de Targé Saumur Brut Blanc AOC
- Château de Targé Quintessence Cabernet Franc AOC 2011
- Schloss Proschwitz Grauburgunder QbA 2011
- Juliusspital Würzburger Riesling Kabinett dry QbA 2012
- Juliusspital Iphöfer Kronsberg Silvaner dry QbA 2012
- Juliusspital Volkacher Karthäuser Weißer Burgunder dry GG 2012
- Weingut am Nil Riesling QbA trocken 2012
- Weingut am Nil Ungsteiner Riesling QbA trocken 2012
- Weingut am Nil Herrenberg Riesling QbA trocken 2012
- Weingut am Nil Saumagen Riesling QbA trocken 2012- Weingut Mohr Assmannshäuser Höllenberg Spätburgunder Alte Reben QbA trocken 2011
- Weingut Mohr Lorcher Bodental-Steinberg Spätburgunder QbA trocken 2009
- Weingut Mohr Lorcher Krone Riesling QbA Erstes Gewächs 2012
- Weingut Mohr Lorcher Bodental-Steinberg QbA Erstes Gewächs 2012
- Tenuta Greppo Jacopo Biondi Santi Rossi di Montalcino DOC 2010
- Cantina Tramin Nussbaumer Gewürztraminer DOC 2012
- Cantina Tramin Unterebener Pinot Grigio DOC 2012

La Paroisse Grand Vin de Bordeaux AOC 2009 - Deep Tasting

First of all: What is a "deep tasting"? Under this category we give you the tasting notes of the first days after the bottle has been opened. 

Today we take a look at "La Paroisse Grand Vin de Bordeaux AOC 2009", a very cheap Bordeaux for 7,60€ (~ $10) only.

1st day:

On the first day the La Paroisse is a bit reticent. Merlot and Petit Verdot dominate nose and mouth. The wine appears very fresh and fine-aromatic. Very unbalanced and slightly green, superficial tannins. Needs time to breathe. But the structure seems to be hopeful. 

Rating: 84 points.

Am ersten Tag ist der La Paroisse noch etwas verschlossen. Merlot und Petit Verdot dominieren Nase und Mund. Der Wein zeigt sich äußerst frisch und feinaromatisch. Sehr unbalanciert sowie leicht grüne, vordergründige Tannine. Braucht Zeit zum Atmen, aber die Struktur stimmt hoffnungsvoll. 

WineInspector-Wertung: 84

2nd day:

For many wines, which spended 1-2 years in barrels, the second day is the low point. But La Paroisse is different here:

This blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot) is deep dark red in colour. In the nose it exhibits a soft and fresh bouquet with relatively precise flavours of cherry, plum, currant, jalapeno and fine spices. On the palate it offers good density and freshness with intense and polished aromas of cherry, raspberry, mirabelle, jalapeno and a touch of plum, sustained by fresh acidity and well-integrated tannins. Medium to full bodied, well-balanced and a good finish. Best buy! Drink: 2016-2023.

Rating: 87 points.

Für viele Weine, die 1-2 Jahre im Fass reiften, ist der zweite Tag der qualitative Tiefpunkt. Beim La Paroisse ist das allerdings anders:

Diese Cuvée (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot und Petit Verdot) besitzt eine tief dunkelrote Farbe. In der Nase ein weiches und frisches Bouquet mit recht präzisen Düften nach Kirsche, Pflaume, Johannisbeere, Jalapeno und feiner Würze. Im Mund zeigt er gute Dichte und Frische mit intensiven und wie geschliffenen Aromen nach Kirsche, Himbeere, Mirabelle, Jalapeno und etwas Pflaume, gestützt von frischer Säure und gut integrierten Tanninen. Mittlerer bis voller Körper, gute Balance und ein gutes Finale.

WineInspector-Wertung: 87**

3rd day:

After the great second day, it loses balance again. The Cabernet is dominating nose and mouth. The La Paroisse loses concentration, precision, tannins and freshness. Its time to empty the bottle.

Rating: 85 points.

Nach dem tollen zweiten Tag verliert er wieder an Balance. Der Cabernet dominiert Nase und Mund. Der La Paroisse büßt zunehmend Konzentration, Präision, Tannine und auch Frische ein. Es ist Zeit, die Flasche zu leeren.

WineInspector-Wertung: 85

4th day:

Last chance of any enjoyment! The wine is wide open and not very concentrated anymore. Jalapeno is so much dominating, that it seems to be one-dimensionally. Nevertheless, there are notes of cherry and raspberry. The balance is gone.

Rating: 83 points.

Die letzte Chance auf ein wenig Genuss! Der Wein ist sperrangelweit offen und nicht mehr allzu konzentriert. Jalapeno dominiert so stark, dass es schon eindimensional erscheint. Nichtsdestotrotz gibt es noch Anklänge von Kirsche und Himbeere. Die Balance ist endgültig dahin.

WineInspector-Wertung: 83

Conclusion:

La Paroisse is a very nice wine. For 7,60€ (~ $10) it offers a good quality, but is not made for the long-term. What's more, older vintages (2006 or 2007) could be interesting, because the 2009 still needs 2-3 years for full ripeness.

Der La Paroisse ist ein schöner Wein. Für 7,60€ bietet er eine gute Qualität, ist aber nicht auf Langzeitgenuss ausgelegt. Zunächst könnten ältere Jahrgänge (2006 oder 2007) interessanter sein, da der 2009er noch 2-3 Jahre bis zur völligen Reife benötigt.

Cims de Porrera Solanes DOC 2007

Because of the rising number of (high) quality wines, Priorato is a region with growing attention. For people, who would like to take a look at it, we recommend this beauty:

This blend (50% Carinena, 20% Granacha, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5 Syrah) is dark violet in the glass, almost black. In the nose polished flavours of (sour) cherry, plum and liquorice. On the palate good polish and density with cherry, plum and liquorice, sustained by fresh acidity. Very "dirty-styled" on the following days. Medium to full bodied, soft tannins and a good aftertaste. Best buy! Drink: 2013-2020.

Rating: 91 points.

Diese Cuvée (50% Carinena, 20% Granacha, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot und 5% Syrah) besitzt eine dunkelviolette, fast schwarze Farbe. In der Nase wie geschliffene Aromen von (Sauer-)Kirsche, Pflaume und Lakritze. Im Mund guter Schliff und gute Dichte mit Kirsche, Pflaume und Lakritze, gestützt von frischer Säure. Sehr "schmutzig" an den Folgetagen. Mittlerer bis voller Körper, sanfte Tannine und ein guter Abgang.

WineInspector-Wertung: 91**

Not even $20 (16€)!

If you liked the entry level, the Casa Gran del Siurana Gran Cruor (2007) or the Cims de Porrera "Classic" Caranyena / "Classic" Garnatxa should be your next choice. Enjoy!

WineInspector Magazine: October Edition is online

The newest WineInspector Magazine is out. This month hidden gems and big names (Tardieu-Laurent, Roger Sabon, ...) are waiting for you. Enjoy very interesting wines from France, Greece, Georgia and the Lebanon.

- Click me -

Wine of the month (October): Château Kefraya Comte de M 2009

The 2009 Comte de M (Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah) matured for 16 months in fine-grained French oak barrels (85% new wood, 15% one year old). It appears ruby in the glass. In the nose a complex bouquet with beguiling flavours of iron, pepper, leather, black currant and vanilla. On the palate very soft structured with meat, blueberry and leather intermixed with delicate notes of jalapeno, milk chocolate and vanilla. Full bodied, present, but soft tannins, a good extract and a long aftertaste. Good buy! Drink: 2016-2023.

Rating: 93 points.

Der 2009er Comte de M (Cabernet Sauvignon und Syrah) reifte 16 Monate in feinporigen Fässern aus französischer Eiche (85% neues Holz, 15% ein Jahr alt) und erscheint rubinrot im Glas. In der Nase ein komplexes Bouquet mit betörenden Düften nach Eisen, Pfeffer, Leder, schwarzer Johannisbeere und Vanille. Im Mund sehr weich strukturiert mit Fleisch, Blaubeere und Leder sowie zarten Noten von Jalapeno, Vollmilchschokolade und Vanille. Voller Körper, präsente, aber weiche Tannine, ein guter Extrakt sowie ein langer Abgang.

WineInspector-Wertung: 93*

Buyable here: http://www.weinstore24.de/new/-chateau-kefraya--p-606.html?osCsid=slpieg1qpt8353r801ecf8clb2

Big Five Challenge No. 1

In my last article I wrote about a wine, we all loved. After my friends made their way back home it did not take much time until the next visitors arrived. This time it was the family. It took ten hours with the car from France to Chemnitz. After a great week with several wines we decided to make a challenge with the best of the whole week. I think this is a model I will continue in the future.

The tasters:

- Christine: She likes wine, but is not as enthusiastic as the guys in the round.
- Audrey: She also likes to drink good wines, but is not very interested in talking about them. To enjoy them is enough.
- Jean-Pierre: A real wine lover with great experience and knowledge of French wines, experiencing also interesting bottles from other countries in recent years.
- Thomas: Founder and wine critic of WineInspector. Loves good wines from every region of the world.


The challenge:

How did we proceed? Everyone of us tasted each of the wines and rated it (Christine decided to create a ranking only; without giving any points). The average points decide on the final result.


The wines:

The following five wines made their way into our glasses. The tasting notes are edited versions of the first tasting notes we made (published in one of our magazines). 
So you have a mix of information (tasting notes of the magazine + the impressions of the evening). The awards are attached to show the potential of the wines, while the notes we gave at the tasting designate the form of the day. If one wine already got a higher rating in one of our magazine's than in the tasting he has still some potential and needs more time in the bottle or to breeze:

Campo al Mare Baia al Vento Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2009 (opened eight hours before the tasting):

This blend (90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) matured for 16-18 months in French oak 500 litre barrels. Ruby coloured with flavours of thyme, sage, spices and plum. On the palate well-balanced with cherry, spices, plum and herbs. The plum dominated most of the time, the herbs came at the end. Medium to full bodied, soft tannins and an ordinary aftertaste. It was not as good as in March, when I tasted it for the March Edition.

Pago de Carraovejas El Anejón DO 2009 (opened one day before the tasting):

This blend has been made from 93% Tinto Fino, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot. Like the Crianza it matured for 12 months in French oak barriques. It is deep dark red in colour and reveals a complex bouquet with wet wood, a hint of orange, cherry, graphite and sandal wood. On the palate it exhibits great depth, complexity and density: aromas of sandal wood, coffee, dark chocolate, graphite and plum, sustained by soft tannins. Full bodied, good extract and good length in the aftertaste. Still a bit reticent, but power and finesse already shine through. Was not as powerful as the last time, but had more finesse to offer. Needed more time to breeze actually.

Meroni Il Velluto Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC 2005 (opened 18 days before):

This blend (Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Molinara) matured for 5 years in Slavonian oak barrels and is ruby in colour with brown reflexes. In the nose beguiling flavours of cherry, sandal wood, herbs and orange. On the palate black cherry, herbs and sandal wood, sustained by concealed tannins. Medium to full bodied, perfect-balanced and a long aftertaste. So much quality after almost three weeks and still needs time to breeze. Incredible.

Tenuta di Nozzole Il Pareto IGT 2009 (opened eight hours before the tasting):

This Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) matured for 16-18 months in French oak barrels and is ruby in colour with violet reflexes. In the nose terrific spice together with currant and jalapeno. On the palate well-balanced with jalapeno, mocha and caramel. Full bodied, well-integrated tannins and a good finish. Also needed more time, but showed its great potential at the far end of the tasting.

Casa Gran del Siurana Gran Cruor DOC 2007 (opened one week before the tasting):

This blend (90% Syrah, 10% Carinena) matured 18 months in new barrels of French oak and is dark violet in colour. In the nose black cherry, caramel, cassis, earth, truffles, mint and toast. On the palate dark fruits, black cherry and chocolate intermixed with earth, mint and truffles. Full bodied, nice extract, astringent tannins and a long finish. A monument in nose and mouth. One of my all time favourites with high density, complexity, finesse and intensity. 

The results:

All of the wines were really great. We enjoyed them all. Everyone of us had some personal preferences (I think the women payed more attention to intensity while the men prefered balance and finesse), leading to a very close result. If Christine would have given points, the whole ranking could be different. 
But now the results are final and the winner of the 1st "Big Five Challenge" is Pago the Carraovejas El Anejón 2009. Congratulations!

But to be honest: There were no winners and loosers in this tasting (concerning the wines). The tasters were the real winners, being able to taste five fantastic bottles. I can recommend them all. Furthermore this tasting did, what wine should be about: connecting people and making them think about what they consume. Even the individuals, who usually don't talk about wine, started to try to explain, why they like one example more than another.



If you want to do a Big Five Challenge too, but don't want to pay 40-60€ a bottle, simply make a "Litte Brothers Challenge". My recommendation (in the following lines I give you the magazine's tasting notes as an impression):

Campo al Mare Baia al Vento Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2009:

This blend (90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) matured for 16-18 months in French oak 500 litre barrels. Ruby coloured with flavours of thyme, sage and plum. On the palate well-balanced with cherry and herbs. Medium to full bodied, soft tannins and a satisfying aftertaste. Good buy! Drink: 2015-2023.

Rating: 91 

Pago de Carraovejas Crianza DO 2010:

After this blend (95% Tinto Fino, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) has been matured for 12 months in barriques, it appears ruby in colour. In the nose still a bit passive. Firstly fresh and fruity with apple flavours, later orange, cherry and lemon grass. On the palate orange, plum, wild berries, lemon grass, mocha and dark chocolate. Full bodied, good tannins and a good finish. Best buy! Drink: 2016-2025.

Rating: 91-94

Meroni Il Velluto Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC 2007:

This blend (Corvina Veronese, Corvinone Rondinella, Molinara) is garnet red in colour with raspberry red reflexes. In the nose black cherry and raisin. On the palate cherry, a touch of herbs and raspberry, sustained by good acidity. Medium bodied, well-integrated tannins and a good finish. Drink: 2013-2021.

Rating: 87

Casa Gran del Siurana Cruor DOC 2007:

A blend of 30% Garnatxa, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Syrah and the rest Monastrell. Dark violet in colour. In the nose intense plum, red fruits, green pepper and slight toast. On the palate very expressive with plum, cherry and orange. Medium to full bodied, good tannins and a long finish. Hint: Very open and expressive these days. Drink: 2013-2018.

Rating: 88

I hope to can enjoy them as we did.....

Pago de Carraovejas El Anejón de la Cuestas de las Liebres DO 2009

This blend has been made from 93% Tinto Fino, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot. Like the Crianza it matured for 12 months in French oak barriques. It is deep dark red in colour and reveals a complex bouquet with wet wood, a hint of orange, cherry and sandal wood. On the palate it exhibits great depth, complexity and density: aromas of sandal wood, coffee, dark chocolate and plum, sustained by good, but slightly hard tannins. Full bodied, good extract and good length in the aftertaste. Still a bit reticent, but power and finesse already shine through. After 4-5 days very expressive with intense butter, coffee, mocha, tobacco and caramel. Great quality over days. Best buy! Drink: 2016-2022.

Rating: 95 points.

Diese Cuvée wurde aus 93% Tinto Fino, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon und 1% Merlot vinifiziert. Wie schon die Crianza reifte auch der El Anejón 12 Monate in französischen Barriques. Er erscheint in tief dunklem Rot und besitzt ein komplexes Bouquet mit nassem Holz, etwas Orange, Kirsche und Sandelholz. Im Mund brilliert er mit viel Tiefe, Komplexität und Dichte: Aromen von Sandelholz, Kaffee, dunkler Schokolade und Pflaume, gestützt von guten, aber noch etwas harten Tanninen. Voller Körper, guter Extrakt und gute Länge im Abgang. Noch etwas geschlossen, aber Kraft und Finesse scheinen bereits durch. Nach 4-5 Tagen sehr expressiv mit intensiven Noten von Butter, Kaffee, Mokka, Tabak und Karamell. Großartige Qualität über Tage. 

WineInspector-Wertung: 95**

You want to find more great wine? Check out our magazines: 

http://www.wineinspector.bplaced.net/index.php/magazine

Today in the glass....

Weinhaus Schuh Regent Tresterbrand 2009....

a limited edition with 40% of alcohol. You should buy it as fast as you can, if you would like to enjoy or gift it.Will be sold out very fast.

Enjoy!


P.S.: You can buy it here

Bordeaux 2009 - prices sagged

The prices of Bordeaux 2009 have fallen since release (first time since 1997). Especially the first growths were not an ideal investment solution. Like in 1997 the problem was overpricing. "Demand from Asia gave the Bordelais the confidence to ask for unprecedented prices for the top 2009s (and 2010s) but investors have been left with a nasty taste as they have watched prices soften."
Currently the average price of 45 top red 2009s is 3,5% below release price.


Original article: http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/a201301312.html