This week we looked at Bordeaux grape varieties – the major ones we considered here: white varieties of Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon, red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot.
During the Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc session in October 2014, we tasted:
Gold Label (IGP), (Sauvignon Blanc), Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, Cedric Jenin for Marks and Spencer, 2013, MYR65
(Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon), Margaret River, Western Australia, Miles from Nowhere, 2014, MYR68
*Bordeaux Merlot, (Merlot), Bordeaux AOC, France, Yvan Meyer for Marks and Spencer, 2013, MYR55
**Carmes de Rieussec,(Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc/Muscadelle), Sauternes AOC, Bordeaux, France, Chateau Rieussec, 2011, MYR162
*100% Merlot, unoaked.
**Fruits affected by Noble Rot/Botrytis, 18 months in oak.
Food and Wine Matching:
Moonblush Tomatoes
Goat’s Cheese and Mint Salad
Lemon Mascarpone Tart
During the April 2014 session, the Beginners group tasted:
Gold Label, (Sauvignon Blanc), Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, France, Passendale for Marks & Spener, 2011, MYR65
Woodstock, (Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc), McLaren Vale, South Australia, Collet & Glaetzer, 2012, MYR75
*Cape Mentelle, (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot), Margaret River, Western Australia, 2012, MYR99
**Mi Terruno Uvas, (Cabernet Sauvignon), Mendoza, Argentina, 2012, MYR49
*French Oak maturation – length of time not specified.
**20% of wine matured for 2 months in American Oak (1 year old barrels)
Food and Wine Matching:
Moonblush Tomatoes, Goat’s Cheese & Mint Salad
Chocolate Berry Torte
During the April 2013 session, the Beginners group tasted:
Sauvignon*, (Sauvignon Blanc), Bordeaux AOC, France, 2011, MYR69
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cape Mentelle, Margaret River, Western Australia, 2011, MYR99
Chateau Tour Guillotin, (Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon), Puisseguin Saint-Emilion AOC, France, 2011, MYR119
Oyster Bay, (Merlot), Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, 2011, MYR90
*Sourced from the Entre-deux-mers region of Bordeaux.
Food and Wine Matching:
Moonblush Tomatoes, Goat’s Cheese & Mint Salad
Chocolate Berry Torte
During the January 2013 session, the Beginners Group tasted:
Sauvignon Blanc*, Yvan Meyer for Marks & Spencer, Bordeaux AOC, France, 2011, MYR69
Two in the Bush, (Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc), Bird in Hand Winery, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, 2011, MYR132
Chateau Tour Guillotin, for M&S, (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon), Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, AOC, France, 2011
Reserva, (Cabernet Sauvignon), Lagar de Bezana, Alto Cachapoal DO, Chile, 2008, MYR69
*Sourced from the Entre-deux-mers region of Bordeaux.
Food and Wine Matching:
Goat’s Cheese, Pecan & Bacon Salad
Chocolate Berry Torte