Liquid gold, in various guises
Appointments at the top Chateaux are not easy to come by. These chaps have less wine than they can sell. Fortunately, we're with Andy Lench.
Our 12-strong group has been admitted without demur.
Today, however, has been the day of open UGC (Union des Grands Crus) and CRD (Circle de Rive Droit) tastings. Basic trade credentials will get you in. It's a giant wine fair, spread over several beautiful venues. Wines we taste here are not the super rare, or super expensive. This is where to discover the great value wines of each vintage.
Our early impressions, of supple, nuanced reds of bright scent and medium body, are confirmed today. Some highlights included Haut Bages Liberal, from Pauillac, and Clos Fourtet, from Saint Emilion. Our own Chateau Carignan Prima tasted lovely, too.
However, this is definitely a variable vintage. Buy with care.
But the star of 2011 is a sweet one: Sauternes is just sensational this year. A mini vertical of Chateau Guiraud, in 2011, 2006, and 2003, highlighted the wonderful intensity, nuance and concentration of the infant vintage. It is not to be missed. More detailed recommendations will follow in our En Primeur Report, which will be published as soon as my sticky little fingers can get it typed up.
We are tasting Graves and Pessac tomorrow. The word is that the dry whites are excellent. Yum yum.
Appointments at the top Chateaux are not easy to come by. These chaps have less wine than they can sell. Fortunately, we're with Andy Lench.
Our 12-strong group has been admitted without demur.
Today, however, has been the day of open UGC (Union des Grands Crus) and CRD (Circle de Rive Droit) tastings. Basic trade credentials will get you in. It's a giant wine fair, spread over several beautiful venues. Wines we taste here are not the super rare, or super expensive. This is where to discover the great value wines of each vintage.
Our early impressions, of supple, nuanced reds of bright scent and medium body, are confirmed today. Some highlights included Haut Bages Liberal, from Pauillac, and Clos Fourtet, from Saint Emilion. Our own Chateau Carignan Prima tasted lovely, too.
However, this is definitely a variable vintage. Buy with care.
But the star of 2011 is a sweet one: Sauternes is just sensational this year. A mini vertical of Chateau Guiraud, in 2011, 2006, and 2003, highlighted the wonderful intensity, nuance and concentration of the infant vintage. It is not to be missed. More detailed recommendations will follow in our En Primeur Report, which will be published as soon as my sticky little fingers can get it typed up.
We are tasting Graves and Pessac tomorrow. The word is that the dry whites are excellent. Yum yum.
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