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Fine wines in Manchester
by Tom Cannavan, 11/07I joined a small group of wine-pages' UK Wine Forum participants in a blind tasting/wine quiz in Manchester called 'Masterwined' earlier this month. The event was organised by The Wine Society, and what do you know, but we won, beating off stiff competition from 13 other teams. Afterwards, our victorious little group adjourned to The Market restaurant in Manchester for dinner, along with some BYO bottles:
Markus Molitor (Germany) Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 1993
Superb, wax and gentle paraffin nose, some delicate peachy fruit and a touch of lemon zest. Lovely minerality. The palate is pristine, layered with sweet, elegant nectarine fruit and shimmering with acidity. Absolutely exquisite balance. 93/100. See all stockists at wine-searcher.
Barmès Bucher (France) Alsace Riesling Leimenthal 1999
Lovely delicacy here, with small floral nuances to plenty of petrolly, slaty minerality. Massive, dry mineral palate, with masses of lemon zest and pith. Subtle ripeness of fruit, hinting at rosy apples and little touches of spice in the finish. Lovely stuff this, with fantastic length. 90/100. See all Barmès Bucher stockists at wine-searcher.
Domaine Treloar (France) Côtes du Roussillon 'Le Secret' 2006
Gentle, soft smokiness, with some crisp-edged, glossy black fruit and edges of leather and game. On the palate real sweetness of fruit, with purity and a certain muscularity, the tight, sweet tannins and smoky oak adding weight and density. Very nice balance and spicy persistence. 90/100. UK Importer is Andrew Wilson Wines on 01782 372888. 90/100.
Au Bon Climat (California) Talley Vineyard Pinot Noir 1997
Beautifully fragrant nose, with silky berry fruit and Lots of smoke and sweet, leather and game nuances, but also a lovely floral note. Palate is very rounded and pure, with fine raspberry acidity as a counterpoint to some chocolate and svelte, spicy tannin. Lovely acidity and balance here. 92/100. See all Au Bon Climat stockists at wine-searcher.
Le Clos de Caillou (France) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 1999
Tight, nutty, black liquorice and. Plenty of game and earth. A touch of brett, lovely silky black fruit. The palate is tight and sinewy, still tightly wound with masses of spice and tight berry fruit. Lovely structure, with racy acidity and tight mineral and cherry acidity. A gorgeous baby this. 92/100. See all stockists at wine-searcher.
Château de Beaucastel (France) Châteauneuf-du-Pape 1985
A certain leafiness and a beautiful earth and warm, rich truffle and silky, pure black fruit with a touch of coffee. Fully resolved and for drinking now, with still glimpses of plump fruit, but all fading gracefully. Cherryish acidity is crisp without being troublesome in a lovely old wine. 92/100. See all stockists at wine-searcher.
