[Chile] Montes Alpha Pinot Noir Aconcagua Valley 2012

This time, I tried a Pinot Noir from Chile famous winey Montes Alpha. It was established by a Chile wine industry Celebrity Aurelio Montes and his friend Douglas Murray in 1987, both are experienced wine professional. At that time Chile red wine was cheap, tasted delicate but it was harsh and firm body. When they created this winery, both of them had a dream, wanted to produce a better quality of wine than that time. In 1988, two mores founders joined. Now, Montes Alpha has different series of wine, the price from high to low.      

Bordeaux blend type wine “Montes Alpha M”, 100% Syrah “Montes Folly”, etc. are the high-end selections, is worth to buy for any special occasion or dinner. But for daily drinking or casual dinner, I chose a lower grade series calls Montes Alpha, the price is not expensive. It’s had a variety of grapes for selection, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Montes Alpha series received “Best Value” from “Wine Spectator” magazine.  

My Taste Note: Before tasting, I Decant for 30~40 mins, the color shows ruby red with little purple. It has fragrant aromas with red fruits such as strawberry, vanilla and oak. The palate is medium body, pleasant acid and it is between dry to medium dry. Overall, this wine is balance and fruity, can taste full of fresh and sweet cherry flavor. 

這次我試了一枝來自智利Montes Alpha的Pinot Noir紅酒. Montes Alpha是一間非常出名的酒莊,在香港很容易可以買到.酒莊在1987年由一位葡萄酒界名人 Aurelio Montes 和他的朋友Douglas Murray創立,他們兩位都是有經驗的葡萄酒專業人士.哪個時候智利出產的紅酒是比較便宜,味道方面是可口但單寧較較厚身,有點粗糙粗和苦澀.當年他們有一個共同的夢想,就是釀造一些比當時質素更好的葡萄酒.在1988年有多兩位創辦人加入.現在Montes Alpha釀製多個系列的葡萄酒,價錢由貴價到廉價到有.

主要以Bordeaux葡萄品種混釀的“Montes Alpha M”, 100% Syrah 的“Montes Folly”,等等是它們的高級葡萄酒系列,價錢都比較高.如果在特別日子或晚餐,是值得買來享用.如果日常飲用或比較簡單的晚餐,我會選擇它們一個系列叫做 系列 Montes Alpha,這是一般級數的系列價錢比較平易近人.這個系列有以下多款葡萄選擇,Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère, Malbec, Pinot Noir和Chardonnay. Montes Alpha系列在葡萄酒雜誌Wine Spectator獲得“Best Value”評語.

我的品酒筆記: 在飲之前,紅酒Decant 30~40分鐘,顏色帶有紅寶石色和少少紫色. 這款酒有芬芳香氣,包括有紅色水果,士多啤梨,香草和橡木香.口感較甜,中等酒體,酸度不是很高飲落,感到舒服.它的甜度很明顯,大約在Dry ~ Medium Dry之間.整體這款酒是Balance和Fruity,是一款比較甜的Pinot Noir,可以飲到新鮮和甜美的車厘子味道.

[New Zealand] Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir New Zealand 2013

During Chinese New Year, I bought 2 bottles of Pinot Noir from New World countries for tasting. The 1^st one is DuMOL RRV 2011 in my previous post. The 2^nd one is Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir New Zealand 2013. Felton Road winery is located in the far southern New Zealand’s region Central Otago sub-zone Bannockburn. This region has a lot of mountains and come with continental climate with dry and warm weather. This warm climate gives the grape ripe fruit flavors, heavier taste and more tannic. Felton Road winery was established in 1991, winemaker Blair Walter believes in natural wine, using 100% organic winegrowing, biodynamic viticulture and wild yeast for wine fermentation, trying the best to minimize artificial disturbance, and let the wine to develop naturally.  

Felton Road has 3 vineyards in Bannockburn, the grapes for this wine are blended from one 1/3 of each vineyards. They harvest the grapes by hands. For winemaking, the wine has long maceration to extract deep color, more tannic and more fruit flavor. After fermentation, the wine will be aged for 11 months in French oak barrels. All the wine is fermented with wild yeast and before bottling the wine it won’t be filtered, to let the wine keep develop in the bottles.

My Taste note: The wine has beautiful purple color. It has red fruit such as cherry, spices, cinnamon, vanilla and black pepper aromas. In the palate is medium body, dry, pleasant acid and fine tannic. At the end, it has a long and layers after taste. Overall, this wine has complex aromas and fruity mouthfeel. This time I tried two Pinot Noir wine from two different regions. USA DuMOL and New Zealand Felton Road, both has their unique flavor. If, you like fruity Pinot Noir, less structured, NZ Pinot Noir will be a good choice.

在新年期間我買了兩枝新世界Pinot Noir葡萄酒來品嚐. 上次我已介紹過美國DuMOL RRV 2011,這次是一枝來自紐西蘭的Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir New Zealand 2013 Felton Road 酒莊是位於紐西蘭最南邊的Central Otago (中奥塔哥)裡的一個Sub-Zone Bannockburn. 這裡的地形是多山帶有大陸性氣候,天氣都是比較溫暖和乾燥.這種氣候種出來的葡萄帶有成熟水果的味道,比較濃的味道和單寧會較多.Felton Road 酒莊建立於1991年,釀酒師Blair Walter崇奉天然葡萄酒, 採用100%的有機耕種,自然動力種植葡萄和野生酵母發酵,盡可能降低人為的干擾,讓葡萄酒自然發展.

Felton Road在Bannockburn有 3 個葡萄園, 每個葡萄園的3/1葡萄都是用來釀製這款酒.他門操用人手採摘葡萄,釀酒過程包括,讓葡萄汁和果皮有較長時間的浸泡,可以抽取更深的顏色,更多單寧和更多果味.發酵完之後會在法國木桶內熟成11個月.所有葡萄酒都是用野生酵母發酵和裝瓶前不會過濾,讓葡萄酒在瓶裡繼續發展.

我的品酒筆記: 酒的顏色有漂亮紫色,帶有紅色果香例如車厘子,香料,肉桂,香草,和黑胡椒香氣.口感是中等酒身,乾型紅酒,宜人的酸,有細緻單寧.它有較長和層次感的After Taste.整體這款酒有複雜的香氣和Fruity的口感.這次我試了兩枝來自不同地區的Pinot Noir. USA DuMOL和紐西蘭Felton Road兩枝酒都有它的獨特之處.如果你喜歡比較fruity的Pinot Noir,結構較為輕快,紐西蘭的Pinot Noir會是很好的選擇.

[USA] DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2011

During Chinese New Year’s holidays, I bought 2 bottles of Pinot Noir wine from USA and New Zealand. The greatest Pinot Noir wines are from Burgundy (France), but the New World countries are also trying to make similar style of Burgundy Pinot Noir wine. Pinot Noir requires a cool climate area to grow, it is successfully grown in Oregon and New Zealand. This time, I tasted the one from USA DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2011. DuMOL winery was established in 1996, the name was came from the first winemaker’s children named Duncan and Molly. The owner Kerry Murphy, Michael Verlander and winemaker Andy Smith are big fans of Burgundy wine. In order to emulate Burgundy Pinot Noir perfumed style, the winery settled in California Sonoma, the most famous wine region Russian River Valley. The cool, foggy and maritime climate is very suitable for Pinot Noir growing. However, they tend to be low profile winery and there is not much public exposure. But on 2011 White House State Dinner, DuMOL Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2008 was selected for dinner wine.

DuMOL produces single vineyard wine and blending vineyards wine. This Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a blending vineyards wine from 9 different vineyards in RRV. For Vintage 2011, they believe blending wine can achieve heightened complexity, low yield and provide excellent concentration. The grapes are hand harvested and crushed, and goes to malolactic fermentations. Then the wine are aged for 11 months in 35% new French barrels and settled 3 months in tank. Before bottling, the wine has no filtering, it help the wine to keep developing in the bottle. Wine critic Robert Parker rates this wine as 90 points which is outstanding wine.

My Taste note : It shows beautiful Dark Ruby colour. Before tasting, the wine has decanted for 1 hour. The aromas included Ripe Red Fruit, Cherry, Leather, Spicer, Licorice and Herbs. The palate is Dry, Light to Medium Body and light acid like cherry and strawberry. It has silky tannins, very smooth and pleasant. After taste brings out red fruit flavor and smooth tannins that can last to the end. Overall, this wine provides complex aromas, nice structured and enjoyable mouthfeel. The price for this wine is acceptable for New World wine. Sometime, Burgundy wines are not ready to drink or too expensive, at this price and quality, DuMOL RRV is very worth to try out.

在新年假期間, 我買了兩枝來自美國和紐西蘭的Pinot Noir(黑皮諾)紅酒. 當然最好的Pinot Noir紅酒是來自法國的勃根地, 但是新世界的地區嘗試釀造跟勃根地差不多風格的Pinot Noir紅酒. Pinot Noir 葡萄需要在涼爽氣候的地區生長. 它成功地在Oregon(奧勒岡州)和紐西蘭成長. 這次我先品嚐來自美國的DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2011. DuMOL 酒莊在1996年創立, 它的名字是來自第一個釀酒師的子女名字 Duncan 和 Molly. 莊主Kerry Murphy, Michael Verlander 和釀酒師Andy Smith都是勃根地葡萄酒的愛好者. 為了釀造出帶有勃根地Pinot Noir的芬香, 酒莊設置在加州Sonoma(索諾瑪)內的一個出名釀酒區Russian River Valley (俄羅斯河谷). 這裡是海洋性氣候,清涼和大霧,很適合Pinot Noir的生長.他們都是一個比較低調酒莊,盡量都不會在公開活動暴光. 但是在2011年的白宮國宴上, 他們的DuMOL Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2008被選為餐酒.

DuMOL有生產單一葡萄園和混合不同葡萄園的葡萄酒. 這款Pinot Noir Russian River Valley是混合了9個來自RRV不同葡萄園的酒. 2011年他們相信混合不同葡萄酒可以獲得提高葡萄酒的複雜性,低產量和非常好的濃度.葡萄是人手採摘, 壓碎之後進行乳酸發酵.之後在35%新法國木桶內熟成11個月後再在別的酒桶內3個月安定下來.裝瓶之前葡萄酒是不會進行過濾,這樣可以幫助葡萄酒在瓶內繼續發展.這款酒獲葡萄酒評論家Robert Parker評分為90分, 是代表Outstanding的酒.

我的品酒筆記: 這款酒有漂亮的深紅寶石色.在品嘗之前,葡萄酒在醒酒器內1小時.香氣包括有成熟的紅色水果,車厘子,士多啤利,皮革,一些香料,甘草和草藥氣味.口感是乾身,中等酒身和輕輕的酸好像車厘子和士多啤利.它有絲綢般柔滑的單寧,感覺非常和藹. After Taste帶出紅色水果味道和平滑的單寧可以維持到最後.整體這款酒提供複雜的香氣,有良好結構和很享受酒在口內哪種感覺.這款酒的價錢是可以接受,有時勃根地的酒還沒到時候飲或太貴, DoMOL RRV這個價錢有這種質素的酒是很值得一試.  

[Facebook] Winecent HK

I just opened a Facebook fans page, Welcome to visit! In this page I will share some simple wine or beer taste note and dine or food photos, it will share more than wine. Facebook could help me to get closer with all wine lovers.

Last week, I had Penfolds Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir Adelaide Hills 2012. The wine show purple color with strong red fruit aroma, full body and dry. The palate is full of jammy fruit, concentrated body and fresh acid with soft tannins. Despite after taste is short, the wine still has a good depth fruit flavor. 

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我剛剛開了一個Facebook Fans Page, 歡迎來參觀 在這個專頁內, 我會分享一些比較簡易的葡萄酒或啤酒的品酒筆記和一些美食圖 片, 專頁內會分享比葡萄酒更多信息. Facebook可以讓我與多一些葡萄酒爱好者接觸.

上星期我試了一枝來自南澳州阿得萊德山(Adelaide Hills) Penfolds Cellar Reserve Pinot Noir 2012. 在酒杯內葡萄酒是紫色帶有強烈的紅色水果香氣, 酒體是厚身, 乾型紅酒. 口感充滿豐富和成熟的水果香, 有concentrated body和清新的酸帶有柔軟的單寧. 儘管這款酒回味比較短, 但是它仍然有良好水果味道.

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[France] Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Bourgogne Rouges 2008

                                                     Very Simple label                                        

Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Bourgogne Rouges 2008

It is not easy to buy a good quality of Burgundy wine with limit budget because the price is very depends on the AOC and winemaker. In fact, we can choose the Villages wine from famous winemaker. The quality is very stable and with a bargain price. Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Burgundy 2008 is Villages wine (Red). Philippe is a famous winemaker in Burgundy and one of the Henri Jayer apprentices. He followed Henri Jayer wine making style such as low yields, complete de-stemming, cold soaking, new oak for maturation and etc.  

It comes with light purple color, shows Berries, Oak and Flowers aromas. Then, oak will lead the wine to the end. The palate is dry, medium Body with smooth tannins, high acidity likes berries and after taste bring strawberry sweet. I found this is a structure wine with Burgundy local style. It is worth to try!!   

布根地紅酒是比較難買到又平又有質素的紅酒. 因為它都是按照布根地的AOC 和釀酒師來定價, 其實我們可以選擇一些出名釀酒師的村莊酒. 這些酒品質比較穩定和價錢不會太高. Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot Burgundy 2008 是一枝村莊酒 (Red). Philippe在布根地是一個Philippe在布根地是一位著名的釀酒師, 他是布根酒神Henri Jayer的徒弟之一. 他都有跟隨Henri Jayer的釀酒風格, 例如 : 低產量, 完全去莖, 冷浸, 在全新木桶成熟, 等等.

這枝酒是用100% Pinot Noir, 有淺紫色, 表現出漿果, 木桶香, 有一些花香. 之後都是木桶香帶領到最後. 口感是乾(dry)紅酒, 中等酒體, 順滑的單寧, 高酸度有如一些漿果酸, After Taste 帶出一種士多啤梨甜. 我覺得這枝酒是比較有結構 (Structure) 和充滿布根地風格. 這是值得一試!!