The Christmas Extravaganzas at the Richmond Wine Society have been the centre piece of this week’s tasting schedule and on Tuesday and Wednesday this week over 70 of us attended what has become an unmissable annual event.
We always splash out a bit on something spectacular and this year was no exception.
Particular highlights were the Riesling Spatlese Norrheimer Kirshheck 2011 from Donnhoff – a majestic example of Riesling at only 8.5% alcohol. Sweet yet tingling with freshness (sorry to the Wednesday group, who did not get to taste this, but we did have the stunning Soave La Rocca).
The Pinot Gris 2013 from Greywacke in Marlborough (New Zealand – not Wiltshire!) was simply stunning. Kevin Judd is the legendary former winemaker from Cloudy Bay who we had the pleasure of meeting at his estate on the recent tours.
This was a Alsace style, beautifully off dry with a phenomenal length.
We also tasted some extremely rare Barossa Valley single vineyard Shiraz from Turkey Flat – oozing intensity and concentrated blackberry fruit and this was followed by our flagship wine: Cote Rotie 2000 La Mordoree from Chapoutier – a superb example of mature Northern Rhone Syrah. A bargain at £127.00 per bottle. Sadly not something I have in stock…
The little sweetie to finish was the Gold Medal winning The Welder Chenin Blanc 2012 from Glen Carlou in Paarl. Wonderfully concentrated Chenin Blanc at the snip of £10.00
It has been another great year at the RWS and the exciting 2015 calendar of events will be outsoon!
