Exploring New Zealand’s Waitaki Valley by Jane Skilton MW |

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Exploring New Zealand’s Waitaki Valley by Jane Skilton MW

Valli Vineyard and the Southern Alps, in Otago, South Island, New Zealand

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Someone should make a movie about the history of A

Someone should make a movie about the history of Australia's Geelong wine region. It features a compelling Hollywood arc dramatically balanced by the bloom of new beginnings, the enthralling grip of conspiracy and alleged corruption, and the heartwarming resolve of renaissance. There are lofty highs and wretched lows with heroes and villains abound.

Once the most prominent wine region in Australia, Geelong is only now coming back to life as a force to be reckoned with.

@tomjkline tells the thrilling story in his latest piece, and tastes 'tensile and energetic' Chardonnays and balanced Pinot Noirs with plenty of age-worthiness.

Read now via the link in our bio.

#Geelong #Geelongwine #PinotNoir #Chardonnay

NEW TASTING REPORT

Domaine Leflaive 2022

🚨NEW TASTING REPORT🚨

Domaine Leflaive 2022
@domaineleflaive

Read the full tasting report via the link in my bio.

‘2022 marks another fine vintage from the Leflaive team, masterminded by Brice de la Morandière along with winemaker/technical director Pierre Vincent, who has since left to take on his own domaine with investors.

I tasted with both Pierre and Brice in May 2024, during the week when the top wines were about to be bottled. The 2022 vintage represents the first year with the new winery in full use. This has enabled them to pick more quickly and to have the ideal tank for each cuvée each time. They have the luxury of six presses, and can rent more, if need be, if the weather pattern requires very rapid harvesting. In 2022 the harvest began on 25th August, the joint second earliest date, along with 2011, after 2020. Some light rain in August was very welcome given the heat spikes in mid-July and very early August. Enjoy the crystalline qualities of these wines, which marry perfectly ripened fruit with an immaculate backbone.’

Read the full tasting report via the link in my bio.

NEW TASTING REPORT

‘Domaine Hubert Lamy

🚨NEW TASTING REPORT🚨

‘Domaine Hubert Lamy 2022’

Read the full tasting report via the link in my bio.

Olivier Lamy prefers not to show his wines until they are in bottle and ready to be offered for sale. I fully understand the reasoning, though it does mean turning the brain out of 2023 mode into the previous vintage during my November tastings. I would hate to miss this tasting though, given the utterly stunning quality of the wines. I do my best not to promote the concept of cult producers, but this particular bird has long flown.

Olivier’s take on the growing season is very positive. No frost, despite one very cold patch, and no hail. It was a very luminous summer, with 25% more sun and 20% drier than the average, but there was three times the usual rainfall in June which kept the reserves going. A little rain just before the harvest helped the final ripening. Picking began on 25th August, the same date as 2015 and 2017, with degrees around 13 to 13.5%, occasionally 14% in red, and good yields, 40 hl/ha in red, 30 to 50 in white. Olivier finds his 2022 wines to be the freshest of the early harvest years, and I would certainly agree.

Read the full tasting report via the link in my bio.

Signing, rather than singing for my supper in Hong

Signing, rather than singing for my supper in Hong Kong!

The Dynasty Club is an institution in Hong Kong, for both local and mainland Chinese business leaders. It was a superbly organised evening of fine food paired with wines from the Hill of Corton (both colours) and Clos de Vougeot. Many thanks to Watson's Wine @watsons.wine for supplying the bottles.

#dynastyclubhk
#DynastyMemories

Night two at Melbourne’s Smith Street Bistrot fo

Night two at Melbourne’s Smith Street Bistrot for the 67 Pall Mall Melbourne team with a Morey St-Denis masterclass. Six fine wines but the two 2016s, Dujac and Perrot Minot stood out. Very elegant Raphet 2021 contrasted nicely with robust Hubert Lignier 2020 at village level.

Kicking off a memorable Coche Dury tasting for 67

Kicking off a memorable Coche Dury tasting for 67 Pall Mall in Melbourne, in advance of the latest @67pall_mall club opening here later this year.
Well, Coche Dury and friend, I should say (see slide 2). Never miss a chance to taste Giaconda!
In the last image, see all six wines raring to go at the tasting. My eventual favourite? Meursault Chevalières 2019.