FAVE RAVES
Selected highlights, rarities and international winesWhite & Champagne
btlPouilly-Fume “Les Charmes” Dom Chatelain 2006, Loire 87
Jean Claude Chatalain is the 11th generation of his family to produce wines from thisdaomaine. This wines express the nuances of both types of soil, the delicate mineral aromasand flavours of stone, smoke and gunpowder from silex, and the rich intense citrus-drivensmells and tastes from heavier kimmeridgean clays. This Pouilly – Fumet is elegant,perfumed, yet also intense and aromatic complex, with a structure and richness capable ofconsiderable aging.
Albarino de Fefinanes 2007, Rias Baixas Spain 59
From north west Spain, legend has it this spanish grape variety Albarino may be descendedfrom Riesling cuttings brought to the region by Alsatian monks centuries ago. Aromas ofspiced pear, grapefruit and minerals. Concentrated citrus, with elements of spice and stonefruit. Finishes long, with lovely acidity, goes great with seafood.
Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises 1999 1750
A unique phenomenon, Vieilles Vignes Françaises is produced with grapes coming from threevery small pieces of land of Grand Cru which amount to just under 0.6 hectares (1,4 acres) :“Chaudes Terres” in Aÿ (0.6 acre), “Clos St-Jacques” in Aÿ (0.5 acre) and “Croix Rouge” inBouzy (0.3 acre).These were unaffected by the phylloxera, which destroyed all the Champagne vineyards atthe end of the 19th century.“Les Vieilles Vignes Françaises” miraculously escaped the devastation and therefore were notre-grafted. They continue to be planted “en foule”, in the historic, layered, self-propagatingmethod and thus perpetuate what can be called the “remains of the days” of the Champagneregion.Vieilles Vignes Francaises are among the rarest and most exclusive champagne, only made inspecial declared vintages and only 3000 bottles are made.
Red Faves
Chateau Musar 2000 Gaston Hochar, Beeka Valley Lebanon 110
In 1984, The respected wine magazine Decanter named Serge Hochar the first ever “Winemaker of the year” for his extraordinary achievements, determination and dedication toproducing wines during the difficult years of the Lebanese civil war. The 2000 Chateau Musar displays a deep dark red colour. The nose is a complex intriguingmixture of figs, prunes, leather, dark tea, tobacco, black olives with spices and a certainearthiness. On the palate, you will find ripe black cherries, figs, damsons-even chocolate andolives. There is good acidity with nice smooth tannins resulting in a wine which full-bodied,rich and velvety with very long length.
Chateauneuf-du Pape Cuvee Reserve 2006 Domaine Du Pegau, South RhoneValley179
If you like savoury wine with focused fruit and firm structure this is the wine for you. ThisSouthern Rhone wine is from one of the top producers in the area, on the nose it has coffeeand cedar wood combined with herbs and spices, dark fruit with some hints of raspberry.This Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a great wine with a fantastic regional character
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