[France] The taste of history!

In my taste note, Rhône Valley wine is highly recommended. It is separated into Northern and Southern side, each appellation has their unique characteristic. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is located in Southern Rhône Valley. This village is full of history, the name in English means New Castle of the Pope. Back to the 14^th century, the papal set a new Castle in Avignon (close to Châteauneuf-du-Pape). Perhaps of the history, the wine bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is embossed with papal keys. The climate is Mediterranean with dry and hot weather. Many of the vineyards are covered by mixed pebbles, sand, clay and limestone. This type of pebbles in French is called Galets, which is larger and smooth. It can retain the heat during daytime and release the heat at night to help the grapes to get fully ripen. The famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine is powerful, full bodies, with high alcohol and jammy fruit because it is mostly made with 75% of Grenache, and the rest is Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Roussanne, Picardan and Picpoul. Red wine of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is permitted to blend with 13 different grapes varieties but most of the wine is blend with 3 varieties such as Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, only few wineries are blend with all 13 varieties.   

Brunel family owns Château de la Gardine since 1947, before that it may have a longer history. At that time, the vineyards were in a poor condition, because it was left uncultivated during World War 2. Afterward, they replanted and expended the vineyards to the present 52 ha, there are 48 ha for red wine and 4 ha for white wine. The soil of the vineyards is covering by round stones, clay, sand, limestone and pebbles. Average age of the vines are 40 – 60 years old, the oldest vines were planted in 1925. In their wine list include 5 red and 2 white wines. This time, I tried one of the red wine, Château de la Gardine Cuvée Tradition 2008. It blends with 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre,15% Syrah and 5% Muscardin. All the grapes are harvested by hand, and then go through a selection process. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tank and aged 60% in vats and 40% in 1 to 6 years old 225 liters oak for 9 to 14 months.

                      The embossed papal key on the bottle & 酒瓶刻有教皇鑰匙的圖案

                                                          (Photo from website)

My Taste Note: The wine has deep purple color. The aromas include spices, black fruits, violets and strong of lavender. In the mouth, this wine is dry, full body, like there is different of flavors in the mouth, delicate acid. After taste is a little astringent, maybe the tannic is still a bit young then at the end it has little sweet. This wine is interesting because the aromas are continuous showing out during drinking. Overall, it is a strong and powerful wine, with little spicy, in aromas and mouthfeel is very opulent.      

The bottle should have embossed papal keys but 375ml bottle didn't have it.

酒瓶應該是刻有教皇鑰匙的圖案,不過半枝裝(375ml)是沒有刻上.

                                                 Galets (Pebbles) & 鵝卵石
                                                    (Photo from Wikipedia) 

在我的筆記裡法國Rhône Valley (隆河)的酒是非常值得賞試的. 隆河是分為南北兩個區域, 每一個產區都有它們的獨特的特色. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 是位於Rhône Valley的南部. 這裡好像充滿了充滿歷史色彩,如果將 Châteauneuf-du-Pape 翻譯做中文是教皇新堡的意思.回顧到14th世紀,有一位教皇曾經在Avignon(Châteauneuf-du-Pape 附近)興建一座城堡.可能因為歷史的關係, 它們的酒瓶都刻上類似教皇鑰匙的圖案.這裡的地中海氣候,帶有乾燥和較熱的天氣.很多的葡萄園泥土都包含了鵝卵石,沙,粘土和石灰石.這種鵝卵石法文稱為Galets,外形都是大塊和平滑.它可以保留日間的熱量之後在晚上釋放走來,這樣可以幫助葡萄完全熟透. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 的紅酒出名強勁,厚酒身,酒精度偏高和果味較濃郁.因為這些紅酒的葡萄成Grenache佔了75%,其餘的用Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Roussanne, Picardan 和Picpoul, Châteauneuf-du-pape是允許用以上13種葡萄來釀製它們的紅酒.用Grenache釀造的紅酒都會比較濃郁和多酒精.不過多數的酒莊都是只用上3款葡萄來釀製,這就是Grenache, Syrah和 Mourvèdre, 只有少數的酒莊才會真正用上13款葡萄來釀製紅酒.  

1947年Brunel家族收購了Château de la Gardine, 在他們收購之前這個酒莊還有一段很長的歷史.在收購的時候葡萄園的環境都是很差,因為在第二次大戰的期間葡萄園都荒廢了.到他們管理之後就返新和擴大葡萄園到現在52公頃,有49公頃是供給紅酒用，另外的4公頃是供給白酒用.葡萄園的泥土都是由石子,粘土,沙子,石灰石和鵝卵石覆蓋著.葡萄樹的平衡年齡是40-60歲,最老的葡萄榭在1925年種植.他們的出產包括5款紅酒和2款白酒.這次我試了他們的紅酒 “Château de la Gardine Cuvée Tradition 2008”, 用了65% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre,15% Syrah和5% Muscardin來釀造.所有葡萄都是人手採摘, 然後所有葡萄會經過篩選.榨出來的葡萄汁會在不銹鋼桶內發酵,當釀成酒時60%的酒會放進大木桶內熟成,另外的40%會放進1-6年的225升的舊木桶內9-14個月.

我的品酒筆記: 酒的顏色是深紫色,香氣包括香料,黑色水果,紫羅蘭和很強薰衣草香氣.口感上是乾型紅酒,厚酒身,在口內好像感覺到很多不同的味道最後帶精緻的酸度.After Taste有少少涩可能因為單寜比較年輕,之後有輕微的甜味.這是一款有趣的酒,因為品嚐的時候香氣不斷釋放出來,使你在品酒的時候不會覺得沉悶,慢慢來發掘這款酒的特色.整體這是一款強而有力的紅酒帶有少少辣,在香氣和味覺都是非常豐富.

[France] My First Dom !!!

I was too busy these days to work on a new post. But I still have spare time for my wine tasting. Last night, I tasted a very luxurious Champagne, that’s Dom Perignon 2003. It was my first time to taste Dom Perignon champagne. Below is a short taste note for this champagne. I will post a review with more details later.

This champagne is full body, with fine bubbles. It shows Lemon, Citrus, Apple and floral bouquets. The palate is dry with mild acid and excellent energy. During tasting, I found layers of taste such as citrus, nutty and mineral for after taste. Overall, this is a rich and delicate champagne.   

最近因為工作比較忙,所以沒有足夠時間寫新文章.但是我都有空閒時間來品酒.昨晚我品嚐了一枝名貴香檳 Dom Perignon 2003.這是我第一次品嚐Dom Perignon香檳.以下有一個簡短的品酒筆記.之後會出一個比較詳細的文章.

這枝香檳是帶有濃厚的酒身,細緻的氣泡.它表現出檸檬,柑橘類水果,蘋果和花的芳香.口感是乾身酒,帶有溫和的酸和充滿活力.在品嚐期間得感覺到味道非常有層次感例如有柑橘類水果,Nutty,一些礦物味道的After Taste.整體這是一枝濃厚和優美的香檳.

[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.