So the kids are back in school the weather is slowly cooling down and the time for reflection is here. I’ve been thinking about the best wines we have brought into the club over the last few years, and in particular what I have enjoyed drinking this year. Here are five of the wines from the club that I thought were a cut above the rest, when I popped the cork/unscrewed the cap this year (in no particular order).
A) 2008 Tupari Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (Awatere Valley), New Zealand. This wine is so vibrant, with pungent citrus/passion fruit combined with a nettles and minerality that is so appealing.
B) 2009 Sons of Eden GSM (Grenache/Shiraz/Mouvedre), Barossa Valley, AustraliaLoads a dark chocolaty fruit combined with soft tannins and classic Barossa “rancio” notes from the old vine fruit. Lovely.
C) 2006 Launa Reserva, Rioja, Spain – rich licorice, vanilla, leather and cherry fruit, sophisticated tannic structure and long savoury finish. Classic Tempranillo at it’s best.
D) 2008 Bilancia Syrah, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand – spicey black pepper with black berry fruit and “mineral-Like” complexity. Quite Rhone like, yet with more open structure. Beautiful cool-climate Syrah.
E) 2009Salvare Chardonnay – Ripe peaches and cream nose, with appealing dusty oak, very full bodied mouth-feel and a long crisp finish. A fine barrel fermented style.
So I ask you this. What have you enjoyed drinking this year?