May wines

One week it was Easter and the next week it was May. Calendar is slightly crazy this year. Just like every year May disappeared somewhere in between busy working schedules trying to finish up before the summer and wonderful sunny days when you just want to be outside.

Three wines stood out particular well this month. From the New World and Napa Valley, California - 2005 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard. Dark red colour with a medium body. On the nose blackberries, liquorice, cassis and leather. On the palate cherries, blackberries, chocolate and liquorice. Just amazing and clearly a proof that Cabernet Sauvignons from the New World are as good as the French ones.


From France and Margaux, 2007 Château Brane-Cantenac which we opened in honour of Dad’s 80th birthday. It was also the first bottle I bought when getting serious about wine. Again in honour of Dad and remembering the (pretty) golden label from his cellar when I was a child. But I’m sure it said 1984 on his bottles… (At his death there were plenty cases of 1984 Bordeaux in the cellar which Mum happily drank without knowing what goldmine it actually was...) Nevertheless the 2007 vintage wasn’t too shabby either. Still young with a medium body. Dark fruity nose with both hints of cedar and minerals or gravels really. On the palate black currant, plums, earth and oak with a slight herbal finish.

Last but not least from Italy and Tuscany, 2007 Castello di Fonterutoli. The Fonterutoli Estate is avery special place to TheMan and I after celebrating my 40th birthday there a couple of years ago, but we would not have gone there in the first place if it wasn’t for their amazing wines. 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot makes it a wonderful intense and complex Chianti Classico. Great structure. Plenty of cherry, chocolate and vanilla on the nose. On the palate lots of cherry and dried flowers with a rich and persistent finish.

2009 Domäne Wachau Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel

NV Henri Giraud Esprit Rose

2004 Baron de Ley 7 Viñas Reserva

2009 Tim Adams Semillon

NV Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée

2010 Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel

2012 Mazzei Codice V

2012 Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes Rosé

2011 Trimbach Riesling

2009 Château des Jacques Morgan

2005 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos Vineyard

2009 Fonterutoli

2012 Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay

2010 Rotari Rosé

NV Taittinger Brut Réserve

2012 Schloss Gobelsburg Kammerner Gaisberg Riesling Erste Lage

2010 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Poliziano

2009 Château Grillon Sauternes

2007 Château Brane-Cantenac

2012 Barone RicasoliTorricella

2007 Castello di Fonterutoli

NV Champagne Henri Giraud Esprit de Giraud Blanc de Blances