Château Nine Peaks Chardonnay Reserve 2015

Either due to the strong breeze of Châtelaillon-Plage, where I tasted this wine, or as a result of the fact that my son got a small sip before me and left some potato chips flavour on the glass, I had some problems distinguishing the aroma of this Chardonnay. I therefore cannot tell which ones of the typical scents of this well-known grape was predominant: if it was the tropical side of banana, melon, pineapple and guava, the stonefruits côté of peach, nectarine and apricot, or the omnipresent citrus and apple aroma. Continue reading “Château Nine Peaks Chardonnay Reserve 2015”

Astrolabe Fronton 2014

This wine is deeply pigmented. On the nose notes of violet, blackberries and some spices. On the palate it is velvety and pleasant, but the finish leaves you with a disturbing bitterness, which I guess is due to a suboptimal use of oak. Fortunately, after some exposition to air, this defect disappears. Nevertheless, I find this imperfection a real shame, given the otherwise pleasant profile of this wine made with a unique grape variety: Négrette. Continue reading “Astrolabe Fronton 2014”

Fébus Jurançon Sec 2017

On the nose the typical aroma of apricot and citrus of the Manseng grapes comes forward, although in a faint version. In the mouth there is a prickly acidity at a level I personally find kind of disturbing. Beside some light apricot hint, no aftertaste worth mentioning.

Jurançon is, along with Marcillac, Gaillac, Fronton and Madiran, one of the five French AOC I intended to visit in July during my last trip to France with my son. Continue reading “Fébus Jurançon Sec 2017”

Pacheca Grande Reserva Touriga National 2015

From the first sight this Portuguese wine gives the impression of being opulent. The deep purple color certainly contributes to this impression. In reality, on the nose the aroma is elegant, with violet, bergamot, blueberry and some mint. In the mouth the wine is still very young, although already enjoyable thanks to the pleasantly integrated tannins, which influence mainly the drying aftertaste. Continue reading “Pacheca Grande Reserva Touriga National 2015”

Defayes & Crettenand Humagne Blanc 2017

The colour is greenish yellow. The nose is refreshing, with mild notes of menthol accompanying white peaches, lime and some nutty undertones. In the mouth crispy, well-balanced and tasty, with an aftertaste that linger for a long while and is characterised by a hint of fennel.

Humagne Blanche is a light-skinned and fragrant grape variety reportedly grown since the 12th Century in the Valais region of Switzerland. Continue reading “Defayes & Crettenand Humagne Blanc 2017”