This tasting over an extended lunch in the Restaurant Rössli in Bad Ragaz (link) was organized by Roger Bischof and Roger Zysset of Secli Weinwelt (link) who typically host 3-4 exclusive Champagne blind tastings per year. Wines were served in flights of four. I always like these thoughtfully curated events of Roger, both from a hedonistic and learning aspect. This lunch was not different. The wines have shown exceptionally well, accompanied by wonderful food. Noteworthy was the incredibly high level of all the wines that were served. The consistency of these benchmark wines over two vintages was impressive.
„Champagne 2012 vs 2013“ weiterlesenMatch Play: Vieux Château Certan vs. Château Figeac
We met on the 2nd of September at the home of one of Switzerland’s most prolific Bordeaux collectors to see how these two Châteaux compare to each other. As always Jean-Marc Quarin (link) led through the evening. The wines were served blind in flights of four. What connected them were two distinct features: The high percentage of Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc) in their vineyard and their location bordering Château Cheval Blanc where the soil consists of a good portion of gravel next to the more common clay and limestone soils of the right bank.
„Match Play: Vieux Château Certan vs. Château Figeac“ weiterlesenChampagne 2008
We met at Smith & de Luma on the 26th of June 2024, on a beautiful summer evening, a fitting backdrop for a Champagne tasting. Food pairing was kentucky style chicken with french fries, providing adqequate richness for the fresh 2008 vintage.
2008 is hailed as one of the great Champagne vintages, celebrated for its exceptional quality and potential for long aging. This vintage is among the other recent standout years like 1996, 2002, and 2012, each with its unique characteristics. Here, we delve into the growing season, expert opinions, and the stylistic attributes of the wines from this remarkable year
Domaine Cécile Tremblay: Die Jahrgänge 2022 und 2023
Obwohl die Domaine Cécile Tremblay (Link) jung ist, gibt es eine Familiengeschichte, in der das Weingut verwurzelt ist. Die Familie hat über Generationen hinweg Rebflächen in der Region besessen, aber es war Céciles Entschluss, diese Lagen wieder selbst zu bewirtschaften und 2003 ein eigene Domaine zu gründen. Noch interessanter, ihr Grossonkel war der legendärere Winzer Henri Jayer, einer der bedeutendsten Namen im Burgund. Von ihm erhielt sie vielleicht sogar den einen oder andern Ratschlag zur Vinifizierung und Bearbeitung des Terroirs. Nach ihrem Studium der Betriebswirtschaft und einer Ausbildung im Weinbau begann sie ihre eigene Vision zu verwirklichen. Heute hat das Weingut sieben Hektar Rebfläche.
„Domaine Cécile Tremblay: Die Jahrgänge 2022 und 2023“ weiterlesenGrandes Maisons Grands Crus – The 2020 Vintage
The Union de Maisons de Vins de Grande Bourgogne (link) invited about 80 journalists, wine writers and guests to a tasting event in at the Chateau Philippe Le Hardi (link) -earlier called Château de Santenay- on the 14th of March 2024, as part of the Grands Jours de Bourgogne 2024. It was a terrific event, probably my favourite of the week, because of the meticulous preparation with a nicely styled tasting note booklet, great location in the cellar of the Chateau Philippe Le Hardi and the intimate atmosphere of limited guests which allowed ample time for tasting and discussions, followed by a dinner.
„Grandes Maisons Grands Crus – The 2020 Vintage“ weiterlesenNoblesse des Clos de Vougeot: The 2022 Vintage
A heterogeneous 52 ha terroir with 16 “climats” and over 80 producers
We took an in-depth look at the Clos Vougeot appellation (the largest Grand Cru in Burgundy) and its 2022 vintage during the Grands Jours de Bourgogne when they were presented at the Château du Clos de Vougeot on March 22nd, 2024.
Bordeaux 2014 10-years on
This was our inaugural tasting of a newly launched series of 6-8 blind tastings per year (Link) where we announce the date and theme a few months in advance and invite wine lovers to bring a bottle to the theme. If someone hasn’t got a bottle, we can provide one from our cellars. The goal is to discover, learn, discuss and spend a great time. We keep it deliberate, but informal. Our current event location is Smith & de Luma (Link), which provides a great athmosphere with its classical Tudor style deco.
„Bordeaux 2014 10-years on“ weiterlesenBordeaux en Primeur 2022
2022 ein grosser Jahrgang – von der Qualität her ist ein Kauf zu empfehlen
Eine Presseschau des 2022er Jahrgangs zeigt, dass wir offenbar einen grossen Jahrgang haben. Das Jahr war sehr heiss und trocken und soll trotzdem nicht überladene Weine hervorgebracht haben. Also keine Erzeugnisse im Stil des Jahrgangs 2003. Das wäre in der Tat eine schöne Überraschung.