Something Old, Something New

Not wanting to spend an evening alone at home...I called Volker who said he would cook something 'simple'...oh yes...3 delicious courses is simple?
He had invited our other wine-loving friend Robert. I took along 1 white and 2 reds...but before we started...Robert produced a wine covered up..and said...'You'll NEVER guess where this is from'. I tasted and tried a guess at Southern France or maybe a white Bordeaux..as there was a mix of grapes here......but was getting nowhere..so he gave me some information. 5.500 Bottles...200 Magnums...10 Jeroboams!!! Hardly your normal Supermarket wine!...No idea I said...OK...here are the grapes...Gouveiho, Viiosinho, Rabigato & Dodega do Larinho. The last one gave it away...Portugal...had to be Douro!


Wine & Soul Guru 2008
Douro, Portugal
Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serôdio Borges are oenologists and married with each other. One fine day, they decided to make a wine together and they bought an old Port Wine warehouse, in Vale de Mendiz. Wine & Soul was born and so was Pintas. This is their white 'baby'. It spends 8 months in new French oak....and is still a touch too young..but what I liked was the dry stone aroma and flavour...some smoky oak....very similar to a Rhone white...and is not overloaded with alcohol...12.5%. A lifting touch of citrus and some white pepper and an old vine taste.
Points 16.5 with more to come....

Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2008
Stellenbosch, South Africa
I am not yet a big fan of South African wines.....most of the reds seemed unbalanced...but I will continue to experiment. As to the whites....I have tried very few...so the chance to try a possible 'goodie' came along.
No over-oaked Chardonnay here...any oak is balanced with the lively acidity and a general mineral feel...apricots...pineapple...and a gentle creamy finish..tempting you back for another sip.
Points 16.5

Mount Difficulty Pinot Noir 2007
Central Otago, New Zealand
As with the Rustenberg...this was bought at the Waitrose supermarket chain in England.
Black cherries..a 'wow' smell...but a real mix of dark fruits....and there is an intriguing lingering spiciness of elegance......the palate just continues what has gone before...very seductive.....a nice zip of acidity bouncing the fleshy fruit along the tongue...some dusty tannins and a fine finish make this a real one to buy. Only trouble is...do we have a Waitrose supermarket in Germany?
Points 17.5

Tollot-Beaut Aloxe-Corton 1990
Chorey-les-Beaune, Burgundy, France
This is the first of the '5' purchased from Reid Wines. (see previous post)
Robert said, after trying this.....you can't mark it with points...just appreciate the condition of the wine...and I can only agree.
The level was superb....and the cork showed that careful cellaring had been a big part of it's life. Obviously the top vintage is also a reason for it's quality. The medium colour with a light rim was also pleasing.....it is a pleasant 'Village' wine.....robust even..and with some bite...but the fruit has faded...should I have left it a few years more?...no.....don't tempt fate with these old bottles.