Producer profiles – Decanter

Covenant: California kosher fine wine producer profile and 10 wines tasted

Jonathan Cristaldi — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:17:51 +0000

Covenant owner and winemaker Jeff Morgan

Covenant founding winemaker Jeff Morgan, 70, is both driven and eccentric. He favours the underdog. Take rosé, for instance. Morgan played an outsized role in jump-starting the rosé renaissance in America more than 20 years ago – long before it was fashionable.

Not only did Morgan co-found SoloRosa, the first American winery dedicated solely to dry rosé, but in 2005, he penned the first English language book on the subject as well (Rosé, A Guide to the World’s Most Versatile Wine, Chronicle Books).

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for ten Covenant wines tasted

In 2003, high-end kosher wine seemed like a long shot. But Covenant was among the first wineries to demonstrate that fine wine made with native yeast and organic grapes and without fining or filtration can also be kosher. It was a novel concept at the time.

Ten Covenant wines tasted

American Zinfandel on Zinfandel Day

Sonoma County AVAs: Overview and 10 wines to try

Signorello Estate: Meeting winemaker Priyanka French plus four current releases tasted

The post Covenant: California kosher fine wine producer profile and 10 wines tasted appeared first on Decanter.

Ten reasons to rediscover Languedoc plus the wines to seek out

Natalie Earl — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:57 +0000

Vines of Mas Bruguière beneath the Montagne d’Hortus ridge in the Pic St-Loup appellation, north of Montpellier

A region as vast and geographically complicated as Languedoc is difficult, if not impossible, to generalise about. With so many appellations, topographies, microclimates, grape varieties and terroirs, it’s more than just the sum of its parts. Languedoc has moved into a new era, extending beyond the tropes of ‘great value’ and ‘rustic, hearty reds’.

Now is the time to discover the cutting edge of what’s happening in this region. Run, don’t walk, to snap up the exciting wines of Languedoc.

Scroll down to see notes and scores for 10 Languedoc wines worth seeking out

Rediscover Languedoc: 10 wines to tempt

Best Languedoc wineries to visit

Riveting reds of the Languedoc

Discovering the ‘micro crus’ of Provence plus 12 wines to try

The post Ten reasons to rediscover Languedoc plus the wines to seek out appeared first on Decanter.

DFWE 2023 Burgundy masterclass: Corton Grand Cru wines

Charles Curtis MW — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:27:59 +0000

Why Corton?

The hill of Corton is an arrestingly beautiful place to even the most casual passer-by. As one arrives from Beaune, it rises suddenly to dominate the landscape.

In geological terms, the hill is an outlier, freed from the main slope of the Côte d’Or by erosion. Vines wrap almost completely around the hill, facing every direction from northeast to almost due west, making this the only grand cru in Burgundy with a western exposure.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for all 12 wines in the Corton Grand Cru masterclass

Corton Grand Cru masterclass: All 12 wines rated

FWE 2023 Ornellaia masterclass: Four decades of a Tuscan icon
Cellar Collection 2023 at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter
Burgundy: a complete guide to Corton

The post DFWE 2023 Burgundy masterclass: Corton Grand Cru wines appeared first on Decanter.

Los Angeles wineries release bottling from 18th century vine

Ani Duzdabanyan — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:58 +0000

Tending the Ramona vine.

At Angeleno Wine Company on the outskirts of LA’s Chinatown, co-owner Jasper Dickson pours one of the most exciting wines of the year. Angelica is a wine made from the oldest producing vine in the US – the Ramona vine – believed to have been planted in the 1770s in the courtyard of Mission San Gabriel. The Spanish Franciscan community was established in 1771, 10 years before the founding of Los Angeles.

It has just been released after ageing in French oak for three years and each 375ml-bottle is one of only 336 in total. The bottle features artwork of the Ramona vine by Xochi Maberry-Gaulke. The pale cherry-coloured fortified wine has notes of caramel and winter spices rounded by moderate tannins and refreshing natural acidity.

History in the bottle

‘We are making history in the glass,’ says Amy Luftig, one of the owners of Angeleno Wine Company.

‘For me, this project encapsulates the entire reason why we started this winery,’ Luftig adds. ‘We wanted to integrate into our wines the lost history of Los Angeles. We always wanted to remind people that California wine started here. This is a bonafide wine region. To be working with some of the fruit that was brought over by the friars to start winemaking is amazing, and that’s why we are doing it.’

The project of recreating Angelica started in the spring of 2020. Terri Huerta, director of development and communications at Mission San Gabriel, reached out to the Los Angeles Vintners Association. The initiative was founded by three local wine operations: Byron Blatty Wines, Angeleno Wine Company and Cavaletti Vineyards.

The project stemmed from a dedication to reviving and revitalising the rich history of winemaking traditions in Los Angeles. Huerta asked the winemakers to take cuttings of the Ramona vine, a hybrid of the native Vitis Girdiana and the Mission grapes brought from Spain.

From vine to glass

When the LA winemakers saw the giant tree with fruit hanging from the long pergola, they decided not just to tend it, but to attempt to make a wine from it, harvesting the Mission grapes and making wine as the friars did centuries ago. ‘We all agreed on making Angelica, the first wine made in California and named after Los Angeles,’ says Dickson.

The pruning conducted by Patrick Kelley from Cavaletti Vineyards helped with growth over the last three years, as well as affecting the berry size.

The winemakers began to search for the documentation of past production and found excerpts in the archives of Mission San Gabriel and Mission San Fernando, indicating what the wine might have tasted like.

‘There are no examples of the original wine that we can compare to this one,’ says Dickson.

The winemakers decide to use the Solera system, which is generally used in Sherry production to blend wines across vintages. Older wines add depth and complexity, and younger wines add acidity and freshness. For the Angelica, juice from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 vintages were combined with the initial wine from 2020.

Angelica can be found at all three wineries in Los Angeles.

One of the limited bottles of Angelica. Credit: Ani Duzdabanyan

Ancient Australia: World’s oldest vines and 10 wines to try

Garage Wine Company launches Old-Vine ‘Revival’ project in UK

South American old-vine reds: Panel tasting results

The post Los Angeles wineries release bottling from 18th century vine appeared first on Decanter.

Napa Valley's Darioush: Producer profile plus 10 wines tasted

Jonathan Cristaldi — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:01 +0000

Darioush Khaledi

Many high-end producers along Napa Valley’s storied wine routes took on wine as a second (or third) career after securing their fortunes in other lucrative fields. None of them have quite the same story as Darioush Khaledi.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 10 current releases from Napa’s Darioush

Today, Khaledi is famous for being the proprietor of Darioush, an eye-popping merger of a winery and hospitality centre he and his wife Shahpar designed.

Darioush: Tasting notes and scores for 10 current releases

Signorello Estate: Meeting winemaker Priyanka French plus four current releases tasted

Napa and Sonoma 2023: Harvest forecast

Bella Oaks Vineyard retrospective: A 15-vintage vertical

The post Napa Valley's Darioush: Producer profile plus 10 wines tasted appeared first on Decanter.

Walls: The next step for Jaboulet’s Hermitage La Chapelle

Matt Walls — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:00:14 +0000

Chapelle Sante-Christophe on Hermitage hill.

Caroline Frey, owner of Paul Jaboulet Aîné, has decided to uncouple La Chapelle (and its white counterpart, Le Chevalier de Sterimberg) from the Paul Jaboulet Aîné brand by creating a separate entity, Domaine de la Chapelle, which will be the new home for these two wines.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the 2022 Domaine de la Chapelle red and white wines

Tasting notes and scores for the 2022 Domaine de la Chapelle red and white wines:

Northern Rhône 2022: Full report and top-scoring wines

Southern Rhône 2022: Full report and top-scoring wines

Rhône 2022 en primeur diary: The north

The post Walls: The next step for Jaboulet’s Hermitage La Chapelle appeared first on Decanter.

Regional profile: Champagne's Montagne de Reims

Tom Hewson — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:32:44 +0000

Verzenay Windmill

The vineyards in the northern part of the Champagne region are often sliced into three distinct areas: the Côte des Blancs for Chardonnay, the Marne Valley for Meunier and the Montagne de Reims for Pinot Noir.

Scroll down to see tasting ntoes and scores for Tom Hewson’s top picks of Montagne de Reims Champagnes

The first two can be neatly surmised: the Côte des Blancs is a single, chalky cuesta – a hill with a steep face on one side and a gentle slope on the other – that can be driven north to south in 20 minutes. The Marne Valley is a winding valley planted with an overwhelming majority of one grape variety and with hardly a grain of chalk to play with. The Montagne de Reims, though, is different.

Tom Hewson’s picks of the best Champagnes from the Montagne de Reims

Regional profile: Champagne’s Côte des Bar

A guide to non-vintage Champagne

Champagne 2013: 10 years on

The post Regional profile: Champagne's Montagne de Reims appeared first on Decanter.

DFWE 2023: Discovery Tasting of Viña Santa Rita's Casa Real

Ines Salpico — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 08:00:25 +0000

Sebastián Labbé, premium wines winemaker at Santa Rita, presenting at the DFWE

It was not hard for Sebastián Labbé to capture the attention of an audience drawn to a tasting of multiple vintages of Viña Santa Rita Casa Real, the wine that inscribed Chile in the fine wine firmament, worthy of a place among Decanter’s Wine Legends.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for three vintages of Santa Rita Casa Real Reserva Especial

Born in Chile and trained in New Zealand and Australia, Labbé returned to his home country in 2005, aged 25, to join Viña Carmen as Chief Winemaker. In early 2017, he was given the outstanding opportunity of leading the Ultra-Premium Sector at sister estate Viña Santa Rita (both Viña Carmen and Viña Santa Rita are part of Santa Rita Estates, under the umbrella of the Claro Group). With such privilege came the big responsibility of becoming the custodian of some of Chile’s most recognised and highly-regarded labels, not least the flagship Casa Real Reserva Especial.

Before him, only two other winemakers – Ignacio Recabarren and Cecilia Torres – had held the Casa Real helm. Alongside owner Ricardo Claro (the mastermind behind the creation of Casa Real) they defined a recognisable and consistent style that quickly turned heads both in Chile and abroad. First released in 1989, Casa Real revealed the potential of an overlooked terroir and its ability to yield a very specific expression of premium Cabernet Sauvignon.

See all Decanter tasting notes and scores for Santa Rita’s premium wines

In 2021, to celebrate the release of the 30th vintage of Casa Real, Viña Santa Rita made the wine available, for the first time, through La Place de Bordeaux. The announcement represented yet another pivotal moment in the wine’s history, consolidating its status as an iconic and pioneering Chilean label.

So far, Labbé’s tenure has been shaped by this prestigious legacy but also, and increasingly, by viticultural challenges and ambitious expansion plans. His own personal journey served as the perfect narrative thread for the insightful masterclass at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter.

Credit: Ellen Richardson

A very Chilean Cabernet

Key to Casa Real’s enduring success are its consistency and classic yet characterful style, both reliant on the particular expression of Cabernet Sauvignon delivered by the terroirs of Alto Jahuel. Labbé delved into the three key variables that define this idiosyncrasy: geology, climate and viticultural choices.

A complex accumulation of alluvial sediments deposited strata in different ways across the slopes of Alto Jahuel, with distinct textures dynamically layered at variable depths. This creates a great deal of diversity within each vineyard, producing interesting if minute variations in fruit character. The heavier soils of the Carneros Viejos block, planted in the 1970s, are responsible for the wine’s more structural components, while the more gravely Población, a block planted in the 1980s, adds finesse and aromatic nuance. All blocks benefit from the long dry growing season, with cooling night winds from the Andes causing a wide temperature diurnal range. Cool nights help to preserve a fine acidity, keep alcohol levels in check and, says Labbé, shape the distinct aromatic profile of Cabernet Sauvignon that has become synonymous with Alto Jahuel and Casa Real.

Combined, Carneros Viejos, Población and recently planted, smaller sites – all ungrafted – make up the nearly 20 hectares that supply fruit for Casa Real. Plans to plant another 20 are underway. These will use plant material from massal selections from the existing plots. Labbé is not sure, however, if all of them will be on their own rootstock.

Grafted experiments delivered promising results, questioning the need for orthodoxy. Although he does recognise that much of Casa Real’s aromatic definition and purity of fruit might be a byproduct of own-root systems, other considerations – such as ever diminishing water resources – might need to come into play.

Viña Santa Rita Casa Real discovery tasting at the DFWE 2023. Credit: Ellen Richardson

Blending to perfection

If the different plots within the Casa Real vineyards deliver such nuanced aspects of Cabernet Sauvignon, carving – and remaining faithful – to a defined style requires mindful and masterful blending. For the masterclass, Labbé brought with him barrel samples from the 2023 vintage to illustrate the wide palette of components, from separately vinified plots, at his disposal. These also offered a glimpse of the ‘epic blending sessions’ held each year, in Bordeaux, alongside consultant Eric Boissenot.

The filigreed aromatics of the Población sites and the more robust structure of the Carneros Viejos sections became apparent in the barrel samples tasted. It’s not hard to see how, upon blending, these create a balanced matrix, in which the tannic framework of Carneros holds the vibrant and perfumed details of the Población fruit. Interestingly, a sample from a more recently-planted plot (Carneros Sur, 2015) had a particular balance of its own, promising great things from new and future plantings.

The tasting closed with a selection of three vintages: 2020, 2012 and 1994 (see tasting notes below). The latter showcased the somewhat overlooked longevity of Casa Real. While ready to drink, it still displays bags of finesse, freshness and the lingering herbal savouriness which is so characteristic of Alto Jahuel Cabernet Sauvignon.

Looking ahead

Winemaking at Santa Rita has so far been, first and foremost, a way of harnessing the quality of the Cabernet fruit that goes into Casa Real. Hand-harvested grapes are gently basket pressed and vinified in more than 25 small batches (some through spontaneous fermentation). The wine is bottled without filtration and clarification.

Is this purist approach – and the recognisable style it facilitates – being questioned by climate change? Labbé explained that, to preserve balance and character, the focus will be on strategic viticultural decisions, such as harvesting earlier and increasing the use of cover crops.

He is already making minor tweaks in the cellar though: the use of new oak has been toned down (75%, down from 100%) and there’s a chance future vintages might go through gentle clarification, which Labbé believes might help the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit to shine even more. ‘I want to remain respectful to the heritage and style I had the privilege of inheriting,’ he concludes. ‘All changes are done to preserve the character that has made Casa Real such an iconic wine.’

Casa Real’s label has remained largely unchanged since its first release, in 1989

DFWE 2023: Three vintages of Santa Rita Casa Real Reserva Especial

Chile harvest report 2023: ‘A year that kept you on your toes’

September fine wine releases on La Place de Bordeaux 2023

Decanter’s Dream Destination: Hotel Casa Real, Viña Santa Rita, Maipo Valley, Chile

The post DFWE 2023: Discovery Tasting of Viña Santa Rita's Casa Real appeared first on Decanter.

DFWE 2023: PIWOSA Discovery Tasting of wine and music

Tina Gellie — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 08:00:22 +0000

Lovers of South African wine filed the room for the PIWOSA Discovery Theatre at the 2023 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter.

With a name like A night at South Africa’s Wine Opera: jazz, classics and much more… it was no wonder the last Discovery Theatre at London’s 2023 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter drew the crowds.

Not only was the session full, but even after more than six hours of visiting stands in the Grand Tasting and Cellar Collection room, guests lingered after the session to enjoy the last few sips of their eight tasting samples and to queue for a chance to speak to the presenters.

Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of the PIWOSA Discovery Theatre wines

Ken Forrester, owner and winemaker of Ken Forrester Wines, and Tom Hanson-Smith, a director of Journey’s End Vineyards, made an engaging double act in showcasing the diverse wines of PIWOSA – the Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa.

PIWOSA is a diverse yet like-minded group of 12 producers from across the Cape winelands: Avondale (Paarl), De Grendel (Durbanville), Glenelly Estate (Stellenbosch), Jordan Wine Estate (Stellenbosch), Journey’s End Vineyards (Somerset West), Ken Forrester Wines (Stellenbosch), Klein Constantia (Constantia), Paul Clüver Family Wines (Elgin), Raats Family Wines (Stellenbosch), Radford Dale (Stellenbosch), Springfield Estate (Robertson) and The Drift Estate (Overberg).

Ken Forrester, owner/winemaker of Ken Forrester Wines, and Tom Hanson-Smith, a director of Journey’s End Vineyards. Credit: Ellen Richardson

Many are family-run businesses, others from larger companies; some with more than three centuries of history, several who have been operating for just two decades. But all are united in their aim of making premium wines, sharing them with wine lovers around the world and, in so doing, flying the flag for all South African wine.

And South African wine had something for everyone, no matter what your taste, Ken Forrester told the Discovery Theatre attendees. Just like music, the reason behind his naming this Discovery Theatre A night South Africa’s Wine Opera: jazz, classics and much more…

‘But if you want to play jazz – or rock, pop, anything – you need to learn the classics,’ he explained. ‘It’s only when you have a classical background that you can start being experimental.’

He said the eight wines in this Discovery Theatre (sadly, an hour was not enough time to present a wine from each of the 12 PIWOSA members) was an attempt to take attendees ‘on a journey through South Africa of the regions, grape varieties, incredibly exciting winemaking techniques and quirky, individual winemaker personalities’.

DFWE 2023: PIWOSA wines and music

The eight PIWOSA wines tasted at the DFWE 2023 Discovery Theatre. Credit: Ellen Richardson

We have taken the liberty of attributing an artist and music style to each of the eight wines in the tasting along with some classic Ken Forrester quotes. But music preference, as with wine, is all a matter of personal taste, so if our comparison doesn’t resonate with you, do still buy and try the wines for yourself. And if you think there’s a better music match, do let us know at editor@decanter.com

Klein Constantia, Clara Sauvignon Blanc, Constantia 2022
Maria Callas (Opera): ‘The richness of a fine olive oil with a straight-backed spine of acidity’
Avondale, Cyclus White, Paarl 2019
Ella Fitzgerald (Jazz): ‘All sorts of notes you’d never thought would go together’
Ken Forrester, Dirty Little Secret Four, Piekenierskloof MV
Pink Floyd (Prog Rock): ‘Individual, experimental’
Jordan Wine Estate, Assyrtiko, Stellenbosch 2022
Kraftwerk (Electronica): ‘Pragmatic, pioneering.’
Paul Clüver, Seven Flags Chardonnay, Elgin 2022
Eroica/Beethoven’s 3rd (Symphony): ‘A symphony of flavour and texture’
Journey’s End, The Griffin Syrah, Stellenbosch 2018
Luther Vandross (R&B) ‘Smooth’
The Drift Estate, Ghost in the Machine Shiraz, Western Cape 2021
REM (Alternative Rock) ‘Imaginative’
Glenelly Estate, Lady May, Stellenbosch 2017
Three Tenors (Opera) ‘Stately, impressive’

Sustainability and social uplift

PIWOSA members are united in their commitment to sustainability. All have removed chemicals in their vineyards, recycle water, embraced cover crops to boost soil heath and are helping protect the Cape’s renowned plant diversity by rewilding. Additionally, five members are World Wildlife Fund Conservation Champions and Journey’s End Vineyards was one of the first wine farms in the country to convert to solar power.

Social uplift, too, is a key pillar of PIWOSA membership – being a force for good and helping local communities. This spans everything from housing and soup kitchens to anti-bullying workshops in schools, gender-based violence rehab clinics and foetal alcohol syndrome crêches. Education, however, is a big emphasis, whether that is creating schools or via bursaries – all the way up to the three-year Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protégé Programme in oenology and viticulture.

DFWE 2023: PIWOSA Discovery Theatre tasting of South Africa’s ‘wine opera’

Lady May: A taste of Bordeaux in South Africa

Agulhas Wine Triangle: South Africa’s southernmost wines

South African Chenin Blanc: Panel Tasting results

The post DFWE 2023: PIWOSA Discovery Tasting of wine and music appeared first on Decanter.

Rhône 2022 en primeur: Full vintage report and top-scoring wines

Matt Walls — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:00:38 +0000

Matt Walls tasting in the cellars at Domaine Richaud.

Rhône 2022 en primeur vintage rating:

Northern Rhône: 4 /5

Diverse in style and quality due to intense heat and drought. Blockages in ripening were widespread around Cornas and Hermitage, making for some lighter wines with moderate alcohol; others more robust. Côte-Rôtie tends to be soft and velvety. Whites can be overly rich but some are enjoyably powerful and exuberant

Southern Rhône: 4 /5

Extreme weather conditions produced reds that range from light and juicy to dense and powerful. Blockages in ripening caused by heat and drought made for moderate alcohol levels, but sometimes tough tannins. Whites can lack freshness. Some excellent, ageworthy Châteauneuf-du-Papes; also good in Rasteau.

‘Never before has a vintage so confounded my expectations’

While preparing for my three-week visit to taste the 2022 vintage in the Rhône, I read that the region experienced the hottest and driest growing season since 1950. Even hotter and drier than 2003 – a vintage burned into the memory of local winemakers. So I approached the tastings with a degree of trepidation. Extreme conditions rarely make for balanced wines.

Scroll down for Matt Walls’ top-scoring Rhône 2022 wines

Top-scoring Rhône 2022 wines

See below the 30 highest scoring wines, listed white then red in score order.

Rhône 2022 en primeur diary: The north

Rhône 2022 en primeur diary: The south

Walls: Best Rhône wine lists in the UK

The post Rhône 2022 en primeur: Full vintage report and top-scoring wines appeared first on Decanter.

A guide to non-vintage Champagne

Tom Hewson — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:00:56 +0000

Philipponnat, Royale Réserve Brut

Next to Champagne’s rare treasures, the humble term non-vintage doesn’t exactly stir the passions. Defining something by what isn’t there seems a strange approach. Even the French term ‘brut sans année’ (literally, ‘brut without vintage’) sounds a little apologetic. But these are wines that are worth talking about.

Changes are afoot in the region, and it’s time to re-examine Champagne’s entry level. Non-vintage is the bread and butter of Champagne, accounting for some four-fifths of all Champagne sold, according to the most recent figures from the region’s governing body. The term refers to Champagnes made by blending wines from a base year – the most recent harvest – with reserve wines held back from previous years. The wine must spend a minimum 15 months in bottle for the second fermentation and ageing on lees, in contrast to three years for vintage wines.

Scroll down to see notes and scores for 15 non-vintage Champagnes

New approach: Hewson’s characterful 15 non-vintage Champagnes to know

All wines recommended are non-vintage or ‘multi-vintage’ blends

English blanc de blancs: experts’ choice

Champagne styles explained

Best Champagne houses to visit and how to contact them

The post A guide to non-vintage Champagne appeared first on Decanter.

Joh. Jos. Prüm: Producer profile & 10 wines tasted

Anna Lee Iijima — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:00:17 +0000

Dr. Katharina Prüm

The Mosel Valley is seemingly rife with winemakers named Prüm. Indeed, members of the Prüm family have inhabited the village of Wehlen, a wine-growing epicentre of the Mosel, as far back as the 12th century.

The bedrock for generations of wine-growing at Prüm’s was the original estate of S. A. Prüm, the winery established in the early 1800s by Sebastian Alois Prüm. It was Sebastian’s brother, Jodocus Prüm, who installed a sundial on a rocky outcrop of the Wehlener vineyards in 1842, lending the word Sonnenuhr, or sundial, to the vineyard’s name.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 10 Rieslings from Joh. Jos. Prüm

See notes and scores for 10 exquisite Joh. Jos. Prüm Rieslings

German dry Riesling: Panel tasting results

German Grosses Gewächs 2023 releases: the top wines

New Zealand aromatic whites: 20 top wines to discover

The post Joh. Jos. Prüm: Producer profile & 10 wines tasted appeared first on Decanter.

Champagne: Latest autumn releases tasted

Tom Hewson — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 08:00:40 +0000

Throughout the year, Decanter’s experts receive exclusive first tastes of the top new Champagnes, and as the festive season approaches, our correspondent Tom Hewson brings you his verdict on a clutch of superb, just-released cuvées.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the latest Champagnes released this autumn

Latest Champagne releases: tasting notes and scores

First taste: Champagne Gosset Celebris 2012

First Taste: Clos des Goisses 2014 & new Philipponnat releases

First taste: Jay-Z’s Armand de Brignac, Blanc de Noirs Assemblage Number Four

The post Champagne: Latest autumn releases tasted appeared first on Decanter.

Producer Profile: Weingut Willi Schaefer

Clive Pursehouse — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:00:34 +0000

Andrea and Christoph Schaefer.

Blink and you could miss it. The village of Graach, or Graach an der Mosel, was first mentioned in historical texts in 975. Home to just over 600 inhabitants, it is a tiny town lying alongside the B53 road as it traces the meanders of the Mittelmosel while you’re making your way north from picturesque Bernkastel town towards the charming hamlet of Zeltingen.

That such a small place could be home to some of the world’s greatest wines and, in fact, one of the finest producers of Riesling on the planet, might be a little surprising. However, if you know anything about these steep Devonian slate slopes and the reputation of Weingut Willi Schaefer, you’ll understand that Graach indeed sits on hallowed ground.

Scroll down to see notes and scores for a selection of Willi Schaefer Rieslings

Willi Schaefer: Top-flight Rieslings in high demand

German dry Riesling: Panel tasting results

German Grosses Gewächs 2023 releases: the top wines

Weingut Keller: Producer profile

The post Producer Profile: Weingut Willi Schaefer appeared first on Decanter.

Languedoc report 2023: Best value wines

Natalie Earl — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 08:27:07 +0000

It’s no secret that when it comes to finding quality wines with complexity and character at affordable price points, Languedoc is ripe for the picking.

Value isn’t its only calling card, but it is one of the main reasons Languedoc remains so exciting – you can discover new wine styles and experiment with grape varieties you’ve never tried before all without breaking the bank.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the 10 best value picks from the Languedoc report 2023

See the Languedoc report 2023 homepage

Individual appellation analysis:

Individual appellation analyis:

The 10 best value picks from the Languedoc report 2023:

The wines below are listed by style then score.

Alsace Grand Cru vintage report: 2020 & 2021

Burgundy 2022: What to expect

Washington State 2020: Vintage report and top-scoring wines

The post Languedoc report 2023: Best value wines appeared first on Decanter.

First taste: Bruno Paillard new releases

Tom Hewson — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 08:00:29 +0000

Champagne Bruno Paillard is one of the region’s most distinctive small houses, founded in 1981 by a personality who has remained at the very top of Champagne’s machinery over the last 30 years, and is one of the region’s most prominent statesmen.

Bruno Paillard has been closely involved with protecting Champagne’s name around the world, not only as former communications director for the Comité Champagne (the region’s governing body), but also as chairman of Lanson-BCC (a group which includes not only Champagne Lanson but also a number of other prominent houses such as Philipponnat and De Venoge).

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for two new Bruno Paillard releases

{"content":"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"}

Tasting notes and scores for the new Bruno Paillard releases

First taste: Jay-Z’s Armand de Brignac, Blanc de Noirs Assemblage Number Four

First taste: Champagne Gosset Celebris 2012

First Taste: Clos des Goisses 2014 & new Philipponnat releases

The post First taste: Bruno Paillard new releases appeared first on Decanter.

La Clape report 2023: Latest releases tasted

Natalie Earl — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 08:30:53 +0000

Vines at Château Rouquette sur Mer overlooking the Mediterranean.

La Clape 2022 vintage rating: 4 / 5

La Clape 2021 vintage rating: 3.5 / 5

Such is La Clape’s ecological importance that it has been classified three times: it is a natural heritage site, a regional natural park, and a European Union Natura 2000 site. A triple-pronged environmental ranking which, in theory, strongly protects it, and has meant that it remains a relatively wild enclave in what is a highly touristic area.

Despite this protection, one of its main (and increasing) risks is fire. The vegetation across the rocky limestone bluff that forms the La Clape Massif is incredibly dense and dry, and with the sunny, dry, windy weather conditions wild fires can be a major problem. Access to the massif is often blocked off when the risk of fire is high.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top La Clape wines from 2022 & 2021

Tasting notes and scores for the top La Clape latest releases:

The wines below are listed by score.

Top 10 Languedoc wineries to visit

Alsace Grand Cru vintage report: 2020 & 2021

Corbières Reds: Panel tasting results

The post La Clape report 2023: Latest releases tasted appeared first on Decanter.

Terrasses du Larzac report 2023: Latest releases tasted

Natalie Earl — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:44:24 +0000

The Les Clapas vineyard under moody skies at Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette, in the far nothern reaches of the appellation.

Terrasses du Larzac 2021 vintage rating: 4 / 5

Terrasses du Larzac 2020 vintage rating: 5 / 5

The Terrasses du Larzac zone is fairly spread out, the vineyard area forming a v-shape around the foothills of a limestone plateau, the Causse du Larzac. The areas classified under the appellation appear a little scattergun when looking at a map. They’re concentrated around the village of Jonquières, the bottom of the ‘V’, while others are some 30km northwest and a few more some 50km northeast.

This is one of few appellations where Carignan is a principal variety (not relegated to a secondary or accessory variety). The others are Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache, with Cinsault becoming more important too.

I’ve been blown away by the style and class of these wines. This really is Languedoc’s bijou. It is beginning to be reflected in the price of the wines, however, so now is the time to start snapping them up.

See the Languedoc report 2023 homepage

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top Terrasses du Larzac wines from 2020 & 2021

Tasting notes and scores for the top Terrasses du Larzac latest releases:

The wines below are listed by score.

Top 10 Languedoc wineries to visit

Alsace Grand Cru vintage report: 2020 & 2021

Corbières Reds: Panel tasting results

The post Terrasses du Larzac report 2023: Latest releases tasted appeared first on Decanter.

Pic St Loup report 2023: Latest releases tasted

Natalie Earl — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:01:21 +0000

Vines at Mas Bruguière sitting between the Pic St Loup and the Montagne de l'Hortus.

Pic St Loup 2021 vintage rating: 4 / 5

Pic St Loup 2020 vintage rating: 4.5 / 5

Pic St Loup is currently the youngest appellation to have gained its own AP status, in 2017. It’s only 25km long, covering 17 villages, and is the most easterly of the Languedoc appellations. Rainfall is high and temperatures are cooler compared to other areas of Languedoc, and the climate is fairly consistent across the appellation. 90% of the production is red and 10% is rosé, with no whites currently allowed under the region’s regulations.

‘The northern Rhône aside, nowhere in France can offer better Syrah aromatic profiles than Pic St-Loup: floral, lifted and beguiling yet authentically southern, like a citrus grove on a warm spring evening,’ says Andrew Jefford in his profile of the region in the February 2021 issue of Decanter.

These are elegant, refined expressions of Syrah that often illicit comparisons with the northern Rhône. The wines are enticing, fragrant, with great aromatic finesse.

See the Languedoc report 2023 homepage

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top Pic St Loup wines from 2020 & 2021

Tasting notes and scores for the top Pic St Loup latest releases:

The wines below are listed by order.

Top 10 Languedoc wineries to visit

Alsace Grand Cru vintage report: 2020 & 2021

Corbières Reds: Panel tasting results

The post Pic St Loup report 2023: Latest releases tasted appeared first on Decanter.

Gérard Bertrand's Clos du Temple: Vintage vertical

Elizabeth Gabay MW — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:00:54 +0000

Clos du Temple.

When Gérard Bertrand decided to create a top-tier rosé to partner his top-tier red, Clos d’Ora, he set about searching for the perfect terroir. Bearing in mind the freshness that could be found at higher altitude along the foothills of the Massif Central, Bertrand’s search brought him to the small wine region of Cabrières, north of Montpellier.

Producer profiles – Decanter

Covenant: California kosher fine wine producer profile and 10 wines tasted

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for ten Covenant wines tasted

Ten Covenant wines tasted

Related articles

Ten reasons to rediscover Languedoc plus the wines to seek out

Scroll down to see notes and scores for 10 Languedoc wines worth seeking out

Rediscover Languedoc: 10 wines to tempt

Related articles

DFWE 2023 Burgundy masterclass: Corton Grand Cru wines

Why Corton?

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for all 12 wines in the Corton Grand Cru masterclass

Corton Grand Cru masterclass: All 12 wines rated

Related articles

Los Angeles wineries release bottling from 18th century vine

History in the bottle

From vine to glass

Related articles

Napa Valley's Darioush: Producer profile plus 10 wines tasted

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 10 current releases from Napa’s Darioush

Darioush: Tasting notes and scores for 10 current releases

Related articles

Walls: The next step for Jaboulet’s Hermitage La Chapelle

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the 2022 Domaine de la Chapelle red and white wines

Tasting notes and scores for the 2022 Domaine de la Chapelle red and white wines:

Related articles

Regional profile: Champagne's Montagne de Reims

Scroll down to see tasting ntoes and scores for Tom Hewson’s top picks of Montagne de Reims Champagnes

Tom Hewson’s picks of the best Champagnes from the Montagne de Reims

Related articles

DFWE 2023: Discovery Tasting of Viña Santa Rita's Casa Real

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for three vintages of Santa Rita Casa Real Reserva Especial

A very Chilean Cabernet

Blending to perfection

Looking ahead

DFWE 2023: Three vintages of Santa Rita Casa Real Reserva Especial

Related articles

DFWE 2023: PIWOSA Discovery Tasting of wine and music

Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of the PIWOSA Discovery Theatre wines

DFWE 2023: PIWOSA wines and music

Sustainability and social uplift

DFWE 2023: PIWOSA Discovery Theatre tasting of South Africa’s ‘wine opera’

Related articles

Rhône 2022 en primeur: Full vintage report and top-scoring wines

Rhône 2022 en primeur vintage rating:

Northern Rhône: 4 /5

Southern Rhône: 4 /5

‘Never before has a vintage so confounded my expectations’

Scroll down for Matt Walls’ top-scoring Rhône 2022 wines

Top-scoring Rhône 2022 wines

Related articles

A guide to non-vintage Champagne

Scroll down to see notes and scores for 15 non-vintage Champagnes

New approach: Hewson’s characterful 15 non-vintage Champagnes to know

Related articles

Joh. Jos. Prüm: Producer profile & 10 wines tasted

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 10 Rieslings from Joh. Jos. Prüm

See notes and scores for 10 exquisite Joh. Jos. Prüm Rieslings

Related articles

Champagne: Latest autumn releases tasted

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the latest Champagnes released this autumn

Latest Champagne releases: tasting notes and scores

Related articles

Producer Profile: Weingut Willi Schaefer

Scroll down to see notes and scores for a selection of Willi Schaefer Rieslings

Willi Schaefer: Top-flight Rieslings in high demand

Related articles

Languedoc report 2023: Best value wines

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the 10 best value picks from the Languedoc report 2023

The 10 best value picks from the Languedoc report 2023:

Related articles

First taste: Bruno Paillard new releases

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for two new Bruno Paillard releases

Tasting notes and scores for the new Bruno Paillard releases

Related articles

La Clape report 2023: Latest releases tasted

La Clape 2022 vintage rating: 4 / 5

La Clape 2021 vintage rating: 3.5 / 5

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top La Clape wines from 2022 & 2021

Tasting notes and scores for the top La Clape latest releases: