Following hot on the heels of Vinexpo madness, June was a rapid-fire blast starting off with my little man’s first birthday, a quick jaunt to Vienna for Vievinum (and of course Burg Bernstein) then Paris for the handover of Dom Pérignon, then back home again to recover before July’s rash of travel. Am feeling very excited about the two new Almásy wines we have added to the six in the collection. Meanwhile, a few new partnerships are in the works although not yet ready to be announced. Working on locations for a first Visual Tasting Notes show and/or book – again, watch this space!
Two for Burgundy:
Rousseau Clos St Jacques 1999 The highlight of a delightful late night Burg binge with some lovely people I met at the Dom event. Toasted, smoky roots, slightly tarry, tart cherry; sultry, luscious fruit exterior, saline powdery core.
Domaine de la Vougeraie Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot 2007 A sweet reminder of why we all keep buying white Burgundy despite the all too frequent disappointments. Iron maiden, needles, meteorites, yuzu, toasty tuiles; clean, prismatic shape.
And two very different Zins:
Eden Rift Zinfandel 2016 A glorious new Zin from my dear friend Christian Pillsbury, whose winemaker who can’t stand the variety (he’s a Pinotphile and it shows). Tender red berries, rose petal jelly, chiffon texture, lacy acidity.
Ridge Lytton Springs 1997 Such a glorious part of the Hong Kong Wine Society’s AGM lineup that it beat out a heavily European contingent (including Mouton). Juicy, sweet raspberry cordial, brambles and tobacco, lusciousness but with exquisite balance.