Mâcon-Milly-Lamartine 2011

From the few Mâcons I have tried of late I am really impressed with the value(?) for money – in Burgundian terms – and the fresh, lean and zestyness, and almost new life they bring to Chardonnay. Maybe it has always been like this, maybe I have never noticed. But I have noticed now. The nose of the Milly is like fresh lemon and lime zest with a hint of pistachio, caramelized nuts and earthy, truffle notes. The palate has a creamy marzipan and lemon curd sweetness of fruit, but with a steely, teeth cleaning acidy and long persistent finish. A refreshing wine which is a great example of what Burgundy can produce in terms of entry level Chardonnay.

The two Burgundys sitting pretty

Domaine Newman Côte de Beaune 2011

The wine was quite closed with hints of chèvre and parmesan cheeses – ie. proper cheese shop “stink”. But this wasn’t off putting one bit – the nose opened slowly to anise, ginger and cassia bark and on the palate almost reminiscent of gin with juniper, herbal tonic flavours and spice.

Ochota Barrels The Shellac Vineyard Syrah, South Australia, 2012

This wine is truly unique and an interesting example of the new, cool Australia. Lavender, blueberry, charcoal smoke with hints of licorice and strangely, a taste and smell of Pepsi (caramel?) but without being overtly sweet. The palate has smooth, supple tannins which really makes this wine approachable and drinkable right after you twist off the cap – yes a screw cap. Licorice, black wine-gums and cassis notes are strong on the palate followed with a concentrated and effortless finish. The wine, tasted on the same day as all of the wines mentioned in this post, was the “Wine of the Day”.

Soldaat (Grenache from the Piekenierskloof, South Africa) by Eben Sadie from the Ouwingerdreeks Series, 2013

Soldaat – and his maker in the background, Eben Sadie

The joke goes “Sold Out – Soldaat” – ok there really is no joke, it’s just I’ve rarely been able to get my hands on this stellar bottle of Grenache made by Eben Sadie. But from the few times I have tasted it since its release it seems, at the moment, to be going through a transitional phase (if you have any bottles in your cellar, I recommend you keep them a while longer, this is the 2013 vintage after all). The nose was overtly herbaceous with mint, eucalyptus and menthol notes with a tight, powdery tannin structure and hints of cranberry and redcurrant. A definite wine to watch in the next coming years….

[Category: Wine notes, Beaune, Burgundy, Chardonnay, Eben Sadie, Grenache, Macon, South Africa, South Australia, Syrah]