Tuesday 17th April

As part of our expanding range of none french wines at work we had a tasting session with one of new suppliers on Tuesday morning.
Our company have been very good at organising these tasting recently and they have been very enjoyable, not only to taste the new ranges we are getting but to taste good wines alongside other managers, some of who are very knowledgeable and i learn a lot from them.
The tasting session was with McKinley, they are a restaurant, pub and retail supplier which means their wines are not found in supermarkets, which is always a bonus!!

It was a small enough tasting, 4 whites and 3 reds but that wasn't a bad thing because we weren't as rushed as other tastings when trying to fit in a lot of wines i a small period of time, which also allowed the guy from the supplier running the tasting to give us a little more insight and background on the wines and the vineyards they come from.

The first of the whites tasted was from South Africa, the Rooiberg Classic White 2011.
This is a Sauvignon/Chenin blend. A dry white wine, fresh and clean, with some citrus notes. Well balanced with a fresh, zesty finish, a perfect everyday easy-drinking white.

Second out was Lake Chalice Sauvignon Blanc 2011 form Marlborough, New Zealand.
This wine is produced in quite small amounts, only about 50,000 cases a year of which only about 1000 make it to the UK so it is a rarer wine that deserves a little try.
The nose was fresh and had strong hints of tropical fruit. This wine was beautifully fresh , dry and had a nice level of acidity. hints of gooseberry and a lovely clean subtly finish that lingers just enough. A great wine for a sunny afternoon when treating yourself or enjoying a light salad. More than a match for Cloudy Bay in my opinion.

Next was, and staying in New Zealand was the Alpha Domus The Pilot Chardonnay 2008.
This chardonnay has spent 6 months in oak so should hold some nice Burgundy characteristics. Great nose with hints of oak, wood, and toasted brioche. Fresh on the palate, with a nice balance of cream, oak and acidity and a lingering finish, definitely a great chardonnay.

And for the final white we venture to Chile for the Tamaya Winemakers Selection Chardonnay 2010 from the Limari Valley.
A blend of oak and steel fermented grapes. A very fresh light nose, no hint of those oak fermented grapes in there at all. Clean fresh mineral taste with just a hint of honey and a long lingering finish that leaves you wanting more, a nice alternative to the oaky chardonnays.


And then came the reds.......................

First up and we are back in South Africa for the Rooiberg selected Red 2009 form the Robertson Valley.
This was a pleasant slightly fruity red, ripe berry's on the nose soft tannins and some nice fruit, mostly berry with a hint of plum. Like its white counterpart this a easy drinking everyday red, probably bet enjoyed with some food.

Next up, Aplha Domus The Pilot Cabernet/Merlot 2009 from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
Although it states Cab/Merlot mix we were informed that it contained some Malbec and Cabernet Franc too, so this hinted at a Bordeaux style!
Lots of ripe black and blue berry's on the nose, some plum too. Soft subtle fruit flavours, very elegant style with a good finish, a little less fruity than some Bordeaux wines but no less pleasant. Good alternative to Bordeaux if something different is what you are after.

Last up and we are back in Chile for the Tamaya Reserva Syrah 2009, once again from the Limari Valley.
Like some Rhone valley wines this has a little Viognier in there and is aged 11 months in oak. Big fresh ripe raspberry nose, with equally big fruit flavours, lots of fresh berry's raspberry for the most part, wit a subtle finish. Again this is a good alternative for fans of the Rhone Valley wines such as Crozes Hermitage.



And that was it, there was one more wine that we were meant to taste but he didn't have any so he has promised a bottle for the shop.
Overall it was a good tasting, with some nice wines, i look forward to drinking some of them again.

The one that stood out the most for me was the Tamaya Winemakers Selection Chardonnay 2010, and while i am huge fan of oaky chardonnays this fresh mineral alternative really surprised me.