Harrogate Fine Wine Journal

Tasted last weekend

We tasted two wines over the weekend that I felt deserved a quick mention as they were drinking so well.

First up

Saskia, Chenin/Viognier, South Africa 2005

This really has to be the best example of this blend in the Cape at the moment 70% Chenin and 30% Viognier its powerful stuff for sure, we had it with some oriental tiger prawns a match made in heaven. Only a couple of hundred cases made. We still have some left retailing at 16.99 pounds.

Secondly

High Constantia, Sebastiaan, South Africa 2001

This was probably our best selling South African red last year, its a Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon blend and if you close your eyes your are whisked straight off to the banks of the Gironde. We recently tasted the 2003 which is much more new world in style, still very good indeed but we love the 2001. We tasted it the same night as the Saskia with some simply cooked rib eye steak and it went a dream. We still think this is a bargain at 13.99 pounds.

Call the shop on 01423 522270 or drop us an email info@harrogatefinewinecompany.com if you are interested in either of these wines.

Emilio Lustau and Bodegas Tradicion
Sherry Tasting

A big thanks to everyone who braved the deluge like monsoon that seems to have been hanging over Harrogate for the last 48 hours, man its rained!

We reckon this must have been one of our most successful tastings ever, all the wines showed incredibly well, Ignacio Domecq was just brilliant and the Katana restaurant provided exquisite food which really made the wines stand out.

For anyone that missed it here is what we tasted. Watch this space for other events like this.

Lustau Solera Reserva Puerto Fino
served with marinated king Prawns

Lustau Solera Reserva Manzanilla "Papirusa"
&
Lustau Mazanilla Pasada Almacenista 1/2 bottle
served with wok monkfish thai chilli and garlic salt and wok fried calamari with coriander mayonnaise.

Amontillado VORS, 30 year old Bodegas Tradicion
served with aromatic crispy duck spring rolls

Palo Cortado VORS, 30 year old Bodegas Tradicion
served with steamed chicken and foie gras sui mai

Oloroso VORS, 30 year old Bodegas Tradicion
served with skewered oriental five spice lamb

Pedro Ximenez VORS, 20 year old Bodegas Tradicion
served on its own.

Main Divide Pinot Noir Canterbury 2004 13.99 pounds

We reckon this must be one of the best New World Pinot Noirs we have tasted in ages -all the more impressive when you take into account it is at the cheaper end of the scale (for Pinot Noir) coming in at under 15 pound. Main Divide is expertly put together by the Donaldson Family (Pegasus Bay), who work closely with a number of growers and oversee every step in the vineyard throughout the year to ensure the grapes are the absolute best that they can be. More impressive is the way the wine is handled in the winery. After being picked by hand the grapes undergo a further selection and are then given a few days cold soak to gently extract flavour and colour, thus also avoiding excessive extraction. Careful racking of the wine also eliminates the need for the wine to be filtered, again protecting the wines delicate character. It is then aged for 18 months in French barrels. Clearly the wine benefits from some amazing attention to detail.

Special offer price of 70 pound per six bottles

Just arrived new vintage of Valbuena and Alion

Valbuena 2002 75 pounds each

The wines of Vega have never been afraid of a bit of wood, after fermentation the wine spends 4 months in 20'000 litre wooden tanks, then spends 16 months in 55% new American and 45% new French oak barrels and then, 5 months in used barrels, before ending back up in the 20'000 litre wooden tanks again.

The wine is unquestionably in the style of Vega and is certainly one of the world great wines.

Alion 2003 35 pounds each

Has always been a favourite of ours (and no its not because we are tight Yorkshire men) it has always had a hint of claret about it and the ability to age gracefully for around 10 years, this is great stuff and would give any wine a serious run for its money.

Meerlust the Red 2003 9.99 pounds

This wine may be familiar to some of you but not all, as it was only ever released in years they were not happy with the quality of their Rubicon, so it was effectively declassified Rubicon. The 2003, which was a fantastic vintage in the Cape, also proved to be a very abundant one, so Meerlust have decided to make the best barrels into the Rubicon and put out the rest under its Red label. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. We were astounded by just how good this is. It is classic meaty Meerlust, with a great core of fruit. The wine just got better and better and after a few hours it was really singing, so we reckon this is a great wine for the short to long term and will be at its best in 3 to 5 years. Certainly not to be missed if you are a lover of the Meerlust style! We are certainly going to put a few of these away.

Special price of 100 pound per dozen