Drouhin and Chapoutier Releases from EuroVintage

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Joseph Drouhin Macon-Lugny 2015
  Chardonnay from France - Burgandy

  Review Date : 18-Dec-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with some depth, a little lighter on the edge. The nose is softly full and up-front with aromas of white and yellow stonefruits and an amalgam of nutty notes and chalky minerals. The aromatics gently unfold to show good depth and breadth. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is soft and full, with up-front flavours of white and yellow stonefruits and subtle flint, nutty and mineral elements. The flavours are open and accessible, quite mouthfilling, and the wine flows easily along a very fine, textural-threaded line with balanced acidity, leading to a light, nuanced finish. This is a fresh, up-front, easy and flavoursome Macon white with stonefruit, flint and mineral flavours on a light-textured, accessible palate. Match with seafood, poultry and pork dishes over the next 3-4 years. Chardonnay fruit indigenous yeast fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 6-8 months in tank. 17.0/20 Dec 2017 RRP $28.99
• Joseph Drouhin ‘Laforet’ Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2015
  Pinot Noir from France - Burgandy

  Review Date : 18-Dec-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Moderately deep, light ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is soft and gently voluminous with uncomplicated aromas of dark-red cherry fruit entwined with fresh and dark herbs with some stalk and earthy notes. Medium-bodied, the palate has restrained flavours of dark cherry and berry fruit intermingling with fresh and dark herbs, and nuances of stalks and earth. The palate has good vinous presence with grainy tannin textures with brisk acidity. The palate has a little rustic robustness in a positive sense, and the wine carries to a textured, grainy finish. This Bourgogne rouge has good vinous presence with restrained flavours of dark-red cherry fruit with herb and earthy detail, on a grainy, textured palate. Match with antipasto, tapas and poultry over the next 3+ years. 100% Pinot Noir from growers, fermented to 12.5% alc., the wine aged 7-8 months in vats. 16.5/20 Dec 2017 RRP $31.99
• Chapoutier ‘Belleruche’ Cotes du Rhone 2016
  Blended Red from France - Rhone

  Review Date : 18-Dec-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, dark, deep black-hued ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues. The nose is full and softly-packed with deep, dense and up-front aromas of earthy dark raspberry fruit entwined with garrigue herbs. Medium-full bodied, the palate has bright, sweetly rich, lusciously juicy flavours dark raspberry fruit with subtle notes of herbs and earth. The palate unfolds soft pepper and spice notes adding savoury interest. The mouthfeel has light, grainy textures and moderate extraction, lending good body and structure with balanced acidity. The wine carries to a long, lingering juicy finish of dark raspberries, earth and herbs. This is an up-front, bright and juicy Cotes du Rhone with dark raspberries, herbs and earth on a grainy-textured palate. Match with barbecued and roasdted red meat dishes over the next 4-5+ years. Primarily Grenache and Syrah fruit, fully destemmed and fermented to 14.0$ alc., the wine spending 15 days on skins and aged in vat. 17.5+/20 Dec 2017 RRP $25.99
• Chapoutier Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Vin Doux Naturel 2015
  Sweet Wine from France - Rhone

  Review Date : 09-Feb-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even straw-yellow colour with some depth, paler edged. The nose is soft and elegant in proportion with moderately concentrated aromas ripe grapes, tropical fruits and suggestions of raisins, musk and honied notes, revealing subtle savoury stonefruit elements. Sweet to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate has moderately concentrated flavours of ripe grapes, musk and exotic florals, with raisin hints. The mouthfeel is bright and zesty with good energy to balance the richness and lusciousness, with clean spirit drive. The wine is smooth-flowing with soft and rounded textures, and possesses good linearity with underlying alcohol, carrying to a rich, musky, honied finish with some acid bite. This is an elegantly concentrated Muscat vin doux naturel with intense flavours of ripe grapes and musk with good drive and zesty acid cut. Serve as an aperitif and with fruit desserts over the next 3-4 years. Muscat Petits Grains fermented with the addition of alcohol spirit to stop fermentation at 15.5% alc. and approx. 115 g/L RS. (375 ml) 17.5+/20 Dec 2017 RRP $29.99