Paradigm Hill Pinot Noir 2002

Tags

mornington peninsula, paradigm hill, Pinot Noir, victoria

Mornington Peninsula

Oh yeah! I hope no wine snob will ever dismiss Australian wines again!

Of course the million bottle brand will not do it for you, but cooler Yarra and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria certainly bring forth stylish Pinots and Syrah (yes not Shiraz!).  Made in minute quantities by a scientist,  George Mihaly, this perfectly mature Paradigm Hill Pinot Noir 2002 could not have been better to celebrate a combo birthday dinner of friends.

George gave this magnum to a good friend, who opened the bottle a few hours before the dinner.  After a first whiff, I thought this is a premier cru Burgundy from the mid 1990s, yet the wine gained more weight and fruitiness than Burgundy would allow during dinner

A lovely and enjoyable wine to drink.

Well deserved 4 stars (out of 5).

Thomas Henry, new age sodas

Tags

adult soda, fevertree, ginger ale, soda, thomas henry, tonic

new age sodas

Thomas Henry, as you all know, was the chap who invented soda water in England in 1773! But it took some quality-minded Germans to come up with this name for new age, or better, adult sodas in 2010.

These are intensely flavored mixers for great long drinks, made from choice herbs and other ingredients.

Got these samples put into my bag at Prowein 2014. Perhaps there will be an importer interested to carry them in Thailand, since the Fevertree, the other alternative is constantly sold out.

4.5 stars for Tonic and Ginger Ale, 3.5 stars for Bitter Lemon (out of 5) and the rest of the line up I did not yet taste.

Philippe Alliet Chinon Coteau de Noiré 2005

Tags

cabernet france, chinon, loire, philippe alliet

 

Earthy Cab Franc

Wines from the Loire, I wished there is more around in this part of the world!

Have always been eagerly awaiting years to pass by before opening a bottle of Bourgeuil or Chinon from producers like Charles Joguet, Couly Dutheuil, Pierre Jacques Druet, Yannick Amirault, and of course Clos Rougeard in Saumur.

And this one from star Chinon winery did not disappoint, despite seeing 100% new oak. Polished and refined, a lovely wine at a fair price, enveloping your nose and tastebuds in inviting earthy and floral aromas. Can easily go another 5+ years.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

 

Dönnhoff Riesling Hermannshöhle 2007

Tags

Dönnhoff, dry, germany, Grosses Gewächs, nahe, Riesling

Majestic Hermannshöhle (Crush Wine NY)

 

This is one of the best, the grandest, of all dry Riesling made in Germany.  A wine touched by the light hands of Helmut Dönnhoff, and now Cornelius his son, whom I just met at Prowein in Düsseldorf.

Unfortunately I waited too long to open this vintage, and the acidity wasn’t around any longer to hold the power and richness of fruit together, making an overall average experience of this Grosses Gewächs.

These powerhouses can be enjoyed for their youthful fruit during year 2 after the vintage, but should strut their best between years 5 and 10 depending the vintage.

If you invest in premium wines, get to know the ins and outs of that particular vintage too in order to determine peak drinking period!

Ruggeri Prosecco Vecchie Viti 2011

Tags

alternative to Champagne, old vines, Prosecco, ruggeri, valdobbiadene

Vecchie Viti from over 100 year old vines

The sparkling wine category has grown rapidly in Thailand over the past 3 or 4 years, and the big winner has been Prosecco. To keep prices reasonable, many lower grade Spumanti made their way into the country, leaving experienced wine drinkers now waiving off their hands to the sound of Prosecco.

The truth is this is still the best alternative to Champagne (unless you can locate a good Crémant) and one with a better QPR.  So pick a special bottle, which you know has been stored well, such as the old vines from Ruggeri.

This Prosecco has more body, flavor, and bouquet, and is made from a rigid selection of top quality grapes grown on centenarian vines. The winery is one of the best in the region, but doesn’t own all of these old vineyards, and works closely with farmers in the esteemed Valdobbiadene DOCG to source a sizeable amount for their top cuvée.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.