The Wine Blokes

€As happens regularly here at The Wine Blokes, a few friends were tasting a few wines the other day and invited us along to have a peak. There was no theme or style in particular, just some cracking good vino.

2001 Domaine Zind Humbrecht Gewurztraminer (Alsace)

This wine was quite surprising and unique. It was noticeably less crisp on the palate as some from this vintage we have recently tasted, however the glyerol, almost oily palate combined well with the fineness of flavours, however not suprising with over 14% alcohol. On first approach, the nose of unripe cut apricots and marmalade type charaters were quite amazing. This wine will polarise a little bit, but overall, between the 5 tasters, the combined consensus was positive. The only negative for us was that the high alcohol probably supresses the acid a little, leaving it a little out of balace. A good wine.

Alcohol: 14.5%

RRP: $80 AUD

Wine Blokes Rating: 7 stars

[ratings]

10 stars is Excellent (the best wine you’re ever likely to drink) - 1 star is awful - marks out of ten - easy!

2006 Felton Road Pinot Noir (Central Otago, NZ)

Felton Road has built a formidable reputation for Pinot Noir and with good reason. The 2006 is fantastic. On initial approach, the nose shows roasted cherries and dates, with a very faint toasty oak component that integrates very well. We think this wine has a great acid balance, and has been made with long term cellaring in mind, but we were equally suprised at it drinkability now. It is really nicely oaked with fresh crisp wood, and integrates brilliantly with the vibrant flavours.

This wine provides fantastic value for money.

Alcohol: 14%

RRP: $60 AUD, £23.25

Wine Blokes Rating: 8.5 stars

[ratings]

10 stars is Excellent (the best wine you’re ever likely to drink) - 1 star is awful - marks out of ten - easy!

You can purchase the 2006 Felton Road Pinot Noir from The Sunday Times Wine Club by clicking here.

1998 Chateau Bonnet Andre Lurton (Bordeaux)

This wine was probably the most dissappointing of the three we tasted. It is quite green and leafy on the nose, with a hint of sour blackberries once cut. The methanol type characters were quite over powering, and the palate a little thin. The minty greenesh was certainly quite apparent. However Andre Lurton is a lengendary figure in Bordeaux, and has a superb stable of fine wine, so maybe our expectation exceeded our experience. It is in the end, his entry level wine.

Alcohol: 13%

RRP: $70 AUD, €30

Wine Blokes Rating: 6.5 stars

[ratings]

10 stars is Excellent (the best wine you’re ever likely to drink) - 1 star is awful - marks out of ten - easy!