W Torbreck, The Factor, 2005 Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia
The polar opposite of Hermitage and not apt for the faint of heart. Incredibly concentrated and complex: wild blackberries, pepper, smoke, minerals, espresso coffee. Yet despite its intensity, it also proves elegant, silky and profound. Forceful and impossible to forget.
EmrichSchönleber
Halenberg Riesling
Eiswein, 2007
Nahe, Alemania
When the grapes of one of the world’s greatest Riesling vineyards freeze naturally on the vines, concentrating all their purity and precision, the result is of incomparable elegance. It could probably have an infinite bottle life, if only we could resist the temptation to open it.
Guigal, Hermitage
Ex-Voto, 2001
Ródano, Francia
Chateau Pontet-Canet, 2005 Pauillac, Burdeos, Francia
SUMMER 2012
A cinquième grand cru classé with premier qualities and a proportionate price-tag, it would be a good idea to purchase a case and forget about it for ten years.
The prototypical grand Pauillac: cassis, cedar, graphite and the remarkable combination of intensity and freshness common to great Médoc wines.
The choice Guigal from some fantastic years for Hermitage. 2001 represents its initial harvest, and, ten years later, we can now start thinking about uncorking a bottle and discovering why this is one of the world’s greatest vineyards.