Friday, May 22, 2009

White, Gold & Cream

From Gooseberry Fruit to Golden Cream. Three whites over a couple of day....so different in styles...and colour!!!


















Tokara White 2007
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A cuvee of 85 % Sauvignon Blanc & 15 % Semillion. Nine months in French Oak.
Of all the grapes in the world..for me the Sauvignon Blanc is the most diverse. From Cat's Pee..through Grapefruit...to a classic steeliness when done in my style. This is just about the right side of wrong for my palate. Medium yellow with green tinges...enticing herbs..wild grass..back of the nose tingle..gentle mouth-watering juice...almost overdone but the Semillon kicks in to keep me happy. Maybe a year or two would convince me even more...
Points 16.25




















Librandi Efeso Mantonoco Val di Neto 2002
Calabria, Italy

Made from 100% Mantonico...a rare grape I have never knowingly tried..maybe Joe tried it in his search for obscure grapes. The wine ferments in stainless steel and then goes through a malolactic fermentation in both old & new French oak.
Wow...forget yellow...this is GOLD...intense honeyed aroma..and some exotic fruits..touch of 'Sherry'....but after that colour you start to worry what awaits on the palate...quite rich but no heavyweight..surprisingly fresh and crisp...ripe nuts..and a delicious creamy finish. Next day...still changing constantly..but the 'oxidised' smell was maybe a touch too dominant.
Points 16.5



















Chateau Tuilerie Eole Blanc 2007
Costières-
de-Nîmes, Languedoc, France
Something I have had before...A cuvee of 40% Rolle, 20% Viognier, 10% Grenache Blanc..with Rousanne, Marsanne & Clairette making up the rest...grown on sandstone soil..only 4000 bottles were produced..Fresh sparkling colour..green tinges...a wild aroma...you can feel the countryside...reserved nutty bouquet...and some citrus fruit...but it's the taste that wins it points...it fairly explodes onto the palate..loads of minerals bouncing about..and an intense creaminess..and a good long finish..you gotta go back for more....excellent wine.
Points 17.75

1 comment:

Alexis said...

Hi Barry, if you liked the Eole blanc (which I haven't tasted) I guess you'd also like the Chateau Puech Haut Blanc - Tête de Bélier, which is a similar cuvée and incredibly intense!
http://blindtasting.twoday.net/stories/5696960/

Cheers, alex