• Home
  • About
  • Contact me

garage notes

~ random musings on wine and food

garage notes

Monthly Archives: April 2018

Old School Heritage from Toro

27 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by kwachtv in People, Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

alejandro fernandez, dehesa la granja, tempranilo, tinta de toro, toro, wine from spain

Alejandro Fernandez began his winemaking career without any formal education. His foresight to reignite the old vineyards of Ribera del Duero has brought international fame for many in the region.

Alejandro side way

The Bodegas Pesquera (1972) and Condada de Hazo (1995) aren’t small but still dwarf his 3rd estate near Zamorra in Toro. This D.O was established in 1987, and like many Spanish regions, produced huge amounts of wine for export to France during the phylloxera crisis (end of 19th century). The resistant old vines of Tinta de Toro (a Tempranillo clone) still stand out today.

Alejandro y Dehesa La Granja Cosecha
011gk-is-433
_LMR7361

The estate covers over 2,000 hectares and has about 600 planted with vines. In the mid 18th century men dug up tunnels (over 3000 m2) which houses today’s vintages before release. Since Senor Tempranillo is in no rush, it is us the consumer who benefits from th extended bottle maturation. What differentiates Toro from both Ribera del Duero and Rioja is the meatiness in the aromatic profile. Combined with black pepper, nutmeg and cherry liqueur it is certainly quite enticing.DG2007“Deep ruby. A complex, perfumed bouquet evokes dark berries, cola, smoked meat and mint. Supple and expansive on the palate, offering gently sweet blackberry and cherry-cola flavors that are firmed and lifted by juicy acidity. The smoky note repeats on the finish, which hangs on with very good tenacity and a whisper of fine-grained tannins. A fine effort for the vintage and delicious right now.” 91 points Josh Raynolds for Vinous

 

Grand Cru with shell limestone

10 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by kwachtv in Wine

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Austrian wine, domaine ciringa, Sauvignon Blanc, slovenia, styria, tement

Zieregg_2

The Zieregg vineyard with its exposition and soil composition can bear fruit for some amazing white wines, that will last over a decade. Many blind tastings of mature bottlings confirm its place in the wine Olympus regardless of origin.

_MIK9419
sea shell
Verkostungsraum_Ciringa_2

While we did not yet meet Manfred Tement, it was his son, Armin, in charge of winemaking, who got us hooked on the single grape wine made across the border in Slovenia. Tasting their Styria bottlings at the Vivinum in Vienna in June 2016, all the wines impressed with clarity, yet we were curious to see how the market would react to Sauvignon Blanc that isn’t from Marlborough or the Loire Valley.

Fosilni-Breg

And the Fosilni Breg from Domaine Ciringa does not disappoint. It is less grassy than some Loire, and not as pungent as many New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. The wine harbors the perfect middle ground, and offers a mouthful of herbal oil infused aromas, minerals and long citric finish.

Mont Ventoux Rosé

04 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by kwachtv in Wine

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

cinsault, grenache, rose wine, southern rhone, summertime, syrah, ventoux

direction

The wines from Ventoux were often disregarded as rustic, and not noteworthy when compared to nearby Southern Rhone appellations. This changed about 20 years ago, with arrival of young talent, a rise in temperatures, and improved winemaking techniques.

Prior to starting at his mother’s estate in 1995, Sebastien Vicenti apprenticed under Rhône legend André Brunel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and was inspired by several natural wine greats like Didier Dagueneau, Clos Rougeard and Yvon Métras or Marcel Lapierre. Today they opt out of organic certification – “Sebastien has reservations over some of the products allowed within its rules; copper is usually the biggest source of arguments.”

Sebastien Vincenti
Fondreche Barrel
Fondreche estate

Regardless, the domaine’s red wines are characterized by a deeply infused fruit profile, coupled with tight mineral core, that often benefits from aeration or aging in bottle. They are known for some of the best value available with ratings well above 90+ by renowned critiques.

This summertime rosé is made from 50% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah, grown on sand. Raised entirely in tank with short lees contact, it is bright and aromatic ending with good mineralic cut.

Domaine-de-Fondreche-Rose_1024x1024

Vinous “Light bright pink. Aromas of fresh red fruits and pungent flowers are complicated by subtle garrigue and mineral nuances. Taut and nervy in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and strawberry flavors that show a vaguely bitter edge. Closes chewy and taut, delivering solid punch and bright, minerally persistence.” 88p

Jancis Robinson, Master of Wine “Definitely not like a Provençal rose. Good and racy with quite high acidity. Some saltiness. But not the fruitiest.” 16/20p

Robert Parker “Sourced from the estate’s sand and silt soils, the 2016 Ventoux Rose may be pale in hue but it’s no shrinking violet. It pumps out bold aromas of citrus and stone fruit plus hints of red berries. Six months on the lees gives it a rich texture but it never seems heavy, finishing with refreshing acid zip.” 89p

 

RSS RSS Feed Updates

  • Mother Chef, a theatrical chef table on April 4th 2021 March 21, 2021
    Wine Garage is delighted to present a creative culinary experience bringing rural Korat to life in a secret city hideaway. …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Prince Chula’s birthday, Villa Chakrabongse March 20, 2021
    Villa Chakrabongse is a little jewel set in the Dusit area of Bangkok. The river front home with guest rooms, …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Hotel California, Wine Dinner at Riedel Wine Bar on March 24th March 6, 2021
    Riedel Restaurant and Wine Cellar in collaboration with Wine Garage Bangkok invites you to join us on a Night in …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Grill Fiesta and Big Reds at Don Asado, March 20th March 6, 2021
    Join us and the team at Don Asado, in Soi Yenakart, for a casual lunch or dinner on Saturday, March …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • New delivery options around Bangkok January 16, 2021
    We reached out to many of our contacts, who have or will soon operate under normal circumstances. Below we hope …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Christmas Wine Market Dec 12th 2020 December 11, 2020
    Tomorrow will be a great opportunity to enjoy the afternoon with friends. Come to Quaint in Sukhumvit Soi 61 between …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Wine events in Bangkok Nov 2020 November 13, 2020
    To garner diner’s attention, Bangkok chefs and purveyors have created an array of tempting events and activities to explore before …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Amber Wines x Issan Tapas, Mahaseth Ekamai on Oct 21st 2020 October 15, 2020
    Welcome to the new era of Issan cuisine. While somtam and grilled chicken are still a favorite, what Thai chefs …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Loire Valley dinner at Riedel Wine Bar & Cellar on 25 Aug 2020 August 7, 2020
    We have always been admiring the nuanced wines from the Loire Valley. The whites at times elegant and crisp, then …Continue reading →
    kwachtv
  • Don Asado, Bangkok July 23, 2020
    We have only ventured into this one-year old Argentinian grill recently. Set up by gourmand friends, who brought in an …Continue reading →
    kwachtv

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 76 other followers

Categories

  • Events
  • Food
  • Hotel
  • Interview
  • People
  • Restaurant
  • Uncategorized
  • Wine

Archives

  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • August 2015
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×