Michael Pinkus Wine Review - On the Road with the Grape Guy

i4C 2017: Chardonnays of Note and Surprise

11 Feb 2018

Details: Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

My podcast host and I spoke much about the i4C because of his love for Chardonnay – as many know it is not exactly my grape of choice, but I know what I like and I understand what others do as well (having many friends and a wife who dig on Chardonnay) … here is my list of the most interesting wines of the Flights of Chardonnay evening:

Feel free to click through to the full review of the wine
--- See the links to the i4C 2017 Podcasts at the end of this post ---

Canada, Ontario
Adamo 2016 Chardonnay, Sogno Unoaked (*** ½+)
Bachelder 2015 Chardonnay, Niagara (*** ½+)
Jackson-Triggs 2016 Chardonnay Reserve (****)
Peller Estates 2015 Chardonnay, Private Reserve (*** ½+)

Canada, Quebec
Domaine St. Jacques 2015 Chardonnay Reserve (*** ½ )

Austria
Esterhazy 2015 Chardonnay Leithaberg (*** ½+)

Chile
Cremaschi Furlotti 2016 Chardonnay Reserve (*** ½)
Emiliana Organic Winery 2016 Chardonnay, Novas (*** ½)
Maycas del Limari 2015 Chardonnay Reserva Especial (*** ½+)
Vinas Ventisquero 2015 Chardonnay, Grey Single Block (*** ½+)

France, Burgundy
Domaine Berger-Rive 2015 Manoir de Mercey, Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune ‘Clos des Dames’ (****)
Domaine Laroche 2015 Chablis Saint Martin (****)

New Zealand
Borthwick Vineyard 2016 Chardonnay, Wairarapa (*** ½+)
Invivo 2016 Chardonnay, Gisborne (****)

Spain
Jean Leon 2016 Chardonnay 3055 (*** ½+)
Miguel Torres 2014 Chardonnay, Sons of Pradas (****)

USA, California
DeLoach 2013 OFS Chardonnay (*** ½)
Hahn 2015 Chardonnay (*** ½+)

Uruguay
Familia Traversa 2016 Chardonnay (*** ½)

Podcasts ...

Talkin' i4C 2017 (episode 53)
Talkin' i4C Wrap-Up (episode 56)

New Zealand - Waipara Valley

21 Jan 2018

Details: Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

We leave the relative comfort of Marlborough for parts unknown (to be honest every new place is a "part unknown"), we're heading to Christchurch but on our way we'll stop in the Waipara Valley to check out Pegasus Bay ... Or as someone later told me, "oh, yeah once you've seen Pegasus Bay you've pretty much seen what needs to be seen in that area".

We also got lucky cause the SH1 has finally reopened (no more that a few weeks at this point) which means we can take the coastal highway down and see the beautiful sites and ocean views - though I am informed that the inland road is "just as picturesque, but much longer".

On our way we make a pit stop at The Store Kekerengu which has a lush backyard, complete with herb garden and ocean access. From there we carry on to Pegasus Bay.

Pegasus Bay ...

Property was purchased in 1985 by a neurosurgeon deeply in love with wine and wanted to turn his "obsession" and "passion" into a hobby which then turned into the family's vocation. This property became the first vineyard in Canterbury and on this parcel the temperatures are 2° warmer than the rest of the region. It's a 250 hectare plot of which 120 are planted to vine, the rest is gardens, walking paths and lounging areas, including a restaurant (started in 1992). Today all 7 family members, including 3 sons and two wives are involved with the business of wine ... And mom takes care of the gardens, which includes a "brain bush" (hard to take a picture of) a cluster of shrubs that by the time it has fully matured will resemble the human brain, as nod to pops "starter job".