Formal Hall

Sunday, 29 April 2012.

2008 Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. Waipara, New Zealand. 
A-

Forward and fruity nose, ripe gooseberry, sweet guava, passionfruit, sweet limes and a touch of green leafiness too - aromatic, smells sweet and ripe, showing tropical notes. Palate is lush, ripeness comes through; generous fruits; plump tropical fruits; theres decent texture and weight to this, not your average NZ Sauv Blanc freshness. Expressive, very well balanced; joy to drink.

2005 Pouilly Fuisse 'Les Ronchevats' Domaine Saumaize-Michelin
faulty - corked

2006 Saint Veran 'Champ Rond' Vignoble Parisse
B+

Classic nose - buttery, creamy and sweet vanilla showing, rounded and quite thick on the nose. Fruit is very ripe on the palate, carries the oaking very well, feels generous; acdidty, fruit and oak all integrated, everything in balance.

2003 Volg Weinkellereien Pinot Noir Nach 7 Likorwein, Switzerland
B+ a real novelty

A fortified Madeiraised Pinot Noir from Switzerland, found it at this years' Specialist Importers Trade Tastings (SITT) in London being offered by For the Love of Wine.
A definite madeirised nose, with dried red currants and cranberries, along with oxidative notes, then comes tawny port like aromas of dried figs and nuts, its just all rather crazy. Palate is probably closest to a medium dry Madeira, with distinct drying and slightly tart notes along with the dried currants. Texture and weight is good, has a decent length too. Can be used as a desert wine - I served it alongside a slightly tart apple and blackberry crumble and it worked a treat.