The Eiserman Domain Wine Blog

Franz Hirtzberger - Grüner Veltliner

2010-02-05T12:00:00.003Z

Vintage: 2008
Type: Grüner Veltliner
Country: Austria

This is a medium to full-bodied white wine, that offers the drinker hints of both honey and pepper / spice. This would go very well with pan-Asian foods and probably best with Thai and Vietnamese dishes.

Cosme Palacio y Hermanos

2010-01-30T12:00:00.000Z

Vintage: 2004
Type: Rioja
Country: Spain

This Rioja is with smooth red fruit flavours and notes of vanilla and spice. Very nice to drink and recommended.

Chateau Mourlet Graves 2003

2010-01-25T12:00:00.000Z

Vintage: 2003
Type: Bordeaux
Country: France

A superb Claret from a good vintage. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it has the aromas of ripe cherries combined with beautifully mellow flavours of blackberry, vanilla and spice. Let this one age for a while if you can resist temptation.

Lagunilla - Rioja Reserva

2010-01-20T12:00:00.000Z

Vintage: YEAR
Type: Rioja
Country: Spain

An Excellent Rioja that won a decanter silver medal in 2005. It has an intense ruby colour with little give on the edge, which is not surprising given its age. The aromas are of dark berry and the flavour of rounded plummy fruit.

Lagunilla - Crianza

2010-01-15T12:00:00.000Z

Vintage: 2006
Type: Crianza
Country: Spain

The 2006 Lagunilla crianza is an excellent wine made from 80% Tempranillo and 20% Grenache. The flavour is what you'd expect from a Crianza, young bold flavour and and excellent finish. The 2006 wine won an bronze decanter. Recommended.

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz

2010-01-10T12:00:00.001Z

Vintage: 2005
Type: Shiraz
Country: South Australia, Australia

To me, this was an Australian red wine that stood out from the other Austrlian exports showcased at the wine fair.

In a glass, it looks like your typical older shiraz: deep reddish-purple colour, long legs, slight fading at the edges. What sets this wine apart is that it has a slight mossy or earthy character on its finish, which is reminiscent of the Bordeaux from Chateau Rouselle 2004. Could this be an Aussie wine that is channelling a French spirit?

Well done to Wolf Blass for choosing a great company to take to the next level.

The France Show

2010-01-08T16:00:00.002Z

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be at the France Show this Saturday and will be posting my thoughts as I go on the wine I find there on my Twitter account: http://twitter.com/edwinereviews

Details:
http://www.thefranceshow.com/seminar-information.aspx

twitter: http://twitter.com/thefranceshow

Ricossa - Barbaresco

2010-01-07T12:00:00.003Z

Vintage: 2005
Type: Barbareesco
Country: Italy

The Barbaresco from Ricossa is an excellent, strong Italian wine. The Barbarescos tend to be a little lighter than their Barolo cousins and tend to mature quicker as well. This one is a fine example with dark cherry aroma and a great finish.

Ricossa-Barbera D'Asti

2010-01-04T12:00:00.003Z

Vintage: 2007
Type: Barbera D'Asti
Country: Italy

Of all of the Ricossa that I tatsed at the Tesco Wine fair this year, the Barbera D'Asti was the one that I enjoyed the most. Again a strong bold wine with Dark Cherries and plum on the palate. The aroma is oak with a strong earthy smell. The wine is also acidic, but not to the point of detracting from its taste.

Ricossa - Barolo

2010-01-02T12:00:00.003Z

Vintage: 2004
Type: Barolo
Country: Italy

If you've ever had a Barolo before, you will know that this is a full bodied wine that goes great with meat. The Ricossa Barolo is no different with a big bold flavour with plummy hints of aroma.

Berberana - Reserva

2009-12-30T12:00:00.002Z

Vintage: 2005
Type: Rioja
Country: Spain

This rioja was perfectly acceptable as riojas go. A little young, so it was quite acidic with a full, meaty body. I detected a bit of vanilla in the taste, which was quite pleasant.

The Gran Reserva from Berberana is much better.

Chateau Teleki-Villany

2009-12-25T12:00:00.000Z

Vintage: 2005
Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Hungary - Villany

This Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Villany region of Hungary, was enjoyable and full of flavour. It had great deep colour and a pleasant bouquet. As Hungarian Cabernet Sauvignons go it was middle of the pack, which means that it is a good wine (though I find Hungarian wine a bit over-priced).

Pierre Cellier - Blanc de Blancs

2009-12-20T12:00:00.001Z

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne - Blanc de Blancs
Country: France

I tried this champagne at a tasting evening that had some amazing champagne. Unfortunately this one probably suffered because of it. I found the champagne a bit sharp on the pallet and with a slightly unpleasant after taste. surprising as it is a Blanc de Blancs, usually a favourite type of champagne for me.

Veuve Clicquot

2009-12-15T12:00:00.001Z

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France - Reims

One of the big houses, Veuve is quite easy to find, a bit expensive and a reliable champagne. It is probably my favourite of the big houses (perhaps Mercier but it is much harder to find). Great flavour, good bubbles and a dry finish.

Michel Lenique - Grand Cru 2004

2009-12-13T12:00:00.000Z

Vintage: 2004
Type: Vintage Champagne - Grand Cru
Country: France

This vintage champagne is absolutely outstanding. Everything that you come to expect from Michel Lenique but with that vintage taste and finish. excellent bubbles and a great flavour. Not to be had every day though, save this bottle for a special occasion!

Berberana - 2001 Gran Reserva Rioja

2009-12-10T12:00:00.005Z

Vintage: 2001
Type: Rioja Gran Reserva
Country: Spain

An Excellent Rioja that has been aged well. Great bold full flavours and an excellent finish. A blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Grenache.

Michel Lenique - Blanc de Blancs

2009-12-08T12:00:00.000Z

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne - Blanc de Blancs
Country: France - Pierry

This champagne is fantastic. Great overall taste with plenty of small refined bubbles. A gem, if you can find it!

Mt Boucherie - Pinot Noir

2009-12-05T12:00:00.001Z

Vintage: 2005
Type: Pinot Noir
Country: Canada - Okanagan Valley

This bottle was a wedding gift from the Hotel that we stayed at. It's a good wine, with nice colour and a decent bouquet (for a Pinot Noir). The flavour is a bit light in complexity for my palette, but it would be a good summer wine to enjoy.

Michel Lenique - 3D wines Brut Champagne

2009-11-30T12:00:00.001Z

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France - Pierry

This non-vintage champagne is a special selection that is available only through 3D wines. The house, Lenique is based in Pierry and they have been around for a long time and know how to make Champagne. This champagne has amazing bubbles, both small and plentiful that seem to last forever. The taste is great and there is almost no after taste. Very good and highly recommended.

Champagne Mercier- Cuvee du Fondateur

2009-11-25T12:00:00.001Z

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France - Epernay

This is a very good Non-vintage champagne. It is the Founder's selection from Mercier and I found it full of flavour, great bubbles and and overall excellent taste. It even had a bit of the "vintage flavour" to it, making it a bit stronger and fuller of flavour than one would expect from a non-vintage. Recommended.

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec

2009-11-20T12:00:00.004Z

Vintage: 2006
Type: Malbec
Country: Argentina

Wow. After cleansing my palate of Casillero del Diablo (Chile) Malbec, I tried this Argentinian Malbec and was surprised at the difference. First of all, its colour is a gorgeous ruby-violet shade. Swirl it around in your glass to release aromas of berries and chocolate. Admire its long legs. Taste the cherries and minty finish. This is just lovely.

More info here.

Yellow Tail - Bubbles

2009-11-10T12:00:00.002Z

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Sparkling Wine
Country: Australia

Here is a wine maker who has taken a luxury product and has made it accessible to folks who like to celebrate and enjoy bubbles on an everyday basis. The bubbles are sharper than what you would find in bottles of sparkling wine produced in North America, which is closer to what my palate prefers. This is quite a sweet sparkler (actually, very sweet) and I am still not sure which exotic fruits' aromas lift out of the glass. This is perfect for those summer evenings when both partners had a good day at work or when you have some out-of-towners visiting you for brunch!

More info here.

Yellow Tail - Shiraz

2009-11-05T12:00:00.002Z

Vintage: 2008
Type: Shiraz
Country: Australia

Oh dear. As a big fan of Australian shiraz wines, I really wanted to like this one (especially because Yellow Tail has consistently produced fantastic merlots). Unfortunately, I find this Shiraz too grainy on the tongue, which is perhaps what happens when the boss' nose wants to be generous with its earthiness and full-bodiness. Its redeeming features are its intense purple-like colour, spicy aroma and formation of long legs on the glass.

Baron de Ley 7 Vinas

2009-10-30T12:00:00.003Z

Vintage: 2004
Type: Blend of 7 grape varieties
Country: Rioja, Spain

Wow x 10! This wine was for me the highlight of the Tesco Wine Fair 2009. As a fan of their Finca (2004), I knew this blended wine would put a smile on my face.

The seven grapes are blended just right to produce a wine that is worthy to age in oak barrels for three years before being tenderly laid down for a year in bottles. These seven grapes that are perfectly married are Tempranillo (of course!), Graciano, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura, Malvasia, and White Granache.

The tannins are rich and the concentration of the fruity flavours is just exquisite. Yummy, yummy! I predict a purchase of a case in my future. At almost £16 per bottle in store, you might think this is over-priced for a Rioja, but believe me, every drop is worth it. Not a red wine for beginners or girly white wine drinkers because they simply wouldn't know how to appreciate its complex formula.

More info here.

Champage Tarlant

2009-10-27T12:00:00.002Z

Vintage: Non-Vintage
Type: Champagne
Country: France - Epernay

Champagne Tarlant has a claim to fame for being a zero dosage champagne. This means that when the second fermentation occurs, they do not need to add any sugar to the bottle (the dosage). As far as I'm aware, this is unique for champagne.

Of course the quality of the champagne is very good. There seemed to be almost too many bubbles which were nice and small. The taste was great, though this is not my favourite Brut. Recommended.