Very pale. Classic citrusy nose with floral notes, hints of chalk. Firm acidity in the fully dry palate, reserved fruity taste. Finish is on minerally notes. An honest glass of French Riesling to be enjoyed soon.
Medium yellow. Fairly intense nose of gooseberry, passion fruit and freshly cut hay. Medium-bodied with biting acidity highlighting lemon and more gooseberry flavours. Easy to like. Drink up.
The Colombard grape is one of the varieties used in the Charentes and Gascony regions to distil into Cognac and Armagnac, but some growers in Gascogny use it for table wine. Pale straw in colour with a lime tint, this Colombard has a minerally nose of green peaches with a light floral top note. Medium-bodied in weight, it has a mouth-freshening flavour of green plums and great length.
Deep golden colour with a toasty, spicy nose of peaches lifted by a light floral note; full-bodied, dry, richly extracted peach and lemon flavours. Well-balanced with a lovely mouthfeel.
Made by a cooperative, which is often not a good thing, but this particular cooperative has very high standards, and access to grapes from some of Alsace’s best Grand Cru vineyards, including Osterberg. This is quintessential Alsatian Riesling, rich and ever so slightly sweet but with crisp acidity to balance. The nose is of grilled pineapple and lime peel, and there is more lime, some Riesling “petrol,” and green apple on a long finish. Fantastic value. Good with German-style food: ham or rich sausages. Will age well for several more years.
The idiosyncratic winemaker plants his vines very densely (6,600 per hectare) and matures his wine in unique cigar-shaped barrels to administer just the right touch of oak. Particularly when made from a great year like 2009, the result is a very deeply coloured, complex potion scented like a raspberry pie, with dates, raisins and Merlot herbs and spices. The fruit still tastes fresh at the moment, and some remaining tannins still provide structure, but this should be enjoyed in the next couple of years.
Clear light amber. Aromas of bruised apple, lychee, rose petals with caramel and a hint of varnish. Viscous and unctuous on the palate, tasting of caramel apple, honey and maple syrup with just enough acidity to keep it drinkable. Drinking well now, will last a little longer.