Last night a return to face to face tasting for my Oddbods group.
I put on a mix from my Wine Society wish list. Here’s the line up.
A good line up with no fails. I started taking notes but the evening overtook me so I’m left with impressions. Sorry to all you note takers.
My star wine was :
The Exhibition Chenin Blanc 2000.
It’s by Chris Alheit of Cartology fame. It has a great length and balance. Very classy.
Second place was
The Exhibition Soave 2020
which has similar persistence and lovely peach/lemon fruit.
I really enjoyed the
Mendes Muros Antigoes Alvarinho 2020
a fresher style for a summer day but with lemon and mineral finish. Not a Vinho Verde as I remember them, not green at all, which is very good by me. Tom had this as his desert island wine, and I see why, Sun +bbqed fish.
The red were all worthy of future drinking, but
Elk Cove Pinot Noir 2018
was the star for me and the group. Quite deep colour with raspberry/mulberry notes and clove and cedar spices. Quite young still. Maybe not for ethereal Pinot lovers.
Mentions also for
garnacha Cuevas de Arom As
Ladieres 2018, more spice than fruit and charming in a way Grenache often isn’t.
The Pietradoica red was floral poised but I found it difficult to love, not it’s day/night!
Now the Xinomavro Jeunes Vignee 2019, I love this wine, but it split the room. Two people even discarded their pours upon first taste. Too acidic/tannic? But I love the tension of soft floral fruit to structure. Maybe a lamb kebab would have helped.
Overall a great return to face to face tasting.