2007 Cloudy Bay Riesling. Marlborough.
£25. B+(+)
A limited release Riesling by the iconic Cloudy Bay; I've never had a still / non-sweet Riesling from them; their late harvest Riesling is one of my favourite dessert wines from New Zealand.
Nose is leaping with lemons, mostly of lemon peel and rinds; this has a noted and distinct waxy feel to it; like the essential oils you get when squeezing lemon peels; also quite floral, hints of petrol and kerosene too; in all very aromatic and enticing. Palate is a touch off-dry, perhaps in the 10g/l range, only enough to be felt; acidity is quite piercing and very fresh, the lemoniness showing again. Mouthfeel is quite fat and filling, finish is lipsmackingly clean and refreshing. Classy, though I think it would be better with a bit more age, rather aggresive at the moment.
2010 Yalumba 'Y' Series Viognier. South Australia.
£8.49. B
Theres some white stones fruits, driven mostly by peaches, maybe a touch of floral too. Palate is quite full and rounded, ripe fruits to the fore citrus and graprefruit, has a nice pithiness on the finish. Certainly feels fleshy but unfortunately couldnt carry the weight, this to me feels a bit flabby.
2009 Marquis de Pennautier Chardonnay 'Terroirs d'Altitude'. Vin de Pays d'Oc
£9.99. B+
Some sweet vanilla and woody notes indicating some oak aging; then sweet ripe peaches, white stone fruits, even a hint of exotic tropical notes as well, passion fruits perhaps? Fresh acidity with plenty of citrus on the palate, and rather more texture, quite rich and filling actually, but still runs through, isnt heavy. Short finish; if not, it would have merited a higher score.
2010 Tokara Zondernaam Sauvignon Blanc. Stellenbosch.
£8.99. A-
Green varietal notes on the nose: capsicum, green peppers and freshly cut grass; then some citrus, with gooseberry thrown in. Palate is fresh, fat lemony acidity; theres some texture too. A clean citrusy finish, with mineral touches. Well made.
I also sampled the four reds that were on tasting but because of time constraints, the notes are very brief. The 2009 Banfi Mandrielle Sangiovese (£7.49) was fleshy and ripe, certainly showing nice Tuscan rustic charm and warmth, with slightly herby / woody notes. The 2009 Crios Malbec (£8.99) was well extracted and packed with dark fruit berries, compote and jammy flavours, maybe a hint of sweet vanilla, which I'm guessing comes from the oak; felt a tad hot. The 2009 Lirac, Vignoble Abeille (dont know how much this cost, not listed on majestic website) was surprising; couldnt remember where Lirac was and from the nose thought it was a Beaujolais; has the dark fruit extraction, some heat and some stewed cabbages / vegetal nose; drank well though. The 2009 Waimea Pinot Noir (£12.49) was very typical of new world Pinot Noir; plenty of sour cherry and raspberry, rather lighter extraction; fat acidity, well rounded and juicy.
Last, and definitely not least was the 1991 Dorsheimer Pittermannchen Riesling, Weingut Michael Schafer, Nahe which was a special purchase at £6.49 - frankly, at that ridiculous price and quality, they might as well be giving it away at the shop front. Packed with zesty lemon and citrus flavours, with tinges of petrol, really had a classy nose, hallmark of good aged german Rieslings. Palate was probably on the Auslese level with about 25g/l sugar; so very poised, lemony zing, still fresh and lively with nice tautness about it; was nowhere near getting tired. I cannot commend this wine enough - now go to Chiswick and buy this wine by the truckload.
Also another notable thing, they had two bottles of Tio Pepe En Rama Sherry (£11.99) on their shelves; theres now only one left. Absolutely beautiful Fino, which I have raved about previously here. In all, a very happy and fruitful visit to this particular branch of Majestic. Bravo Chiswick!
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