jamie goode's wine blog: Three blind Sauvignons, and off to Argentina

Monday, March 24, 2008

Three blind Sauvignons, and off to Argentina

Later on today I depart wintry old London for a quick trip to Argentina. It's my first time to this increasingly interesting wine country. I'll be based in Mendoza, and will be seeing some of the top producers. Forgive my childish enthusiasm, but I find visiting wine regions very exciting still. If ever it becomes a chore, I'll stop writing about wine.

Yesterday, we headed over to brother-in-law Beavingtons for some lunch, but perhaps more importantly a spot of blind tasting. Devoted readers of this blog will remember that last time we did this he served me some of his Justerini & Brooks cellar plan wines, which he'd just removed from bond without being aware of their current market value - so we enjoyed Bruno Clair Corton Charlie and Le Dome.

This time the tasting was in three parts. First some Sauvignons, then a couple of Champagnes I'd brought along, then three reds, finishing up with a couple of dessert wines. I'll start with the Sauvignons. Notes as written, with no tidying up later.

Wine 1 (Jackson Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006)
Quite refined. A Sauvignon Blanc with some subtlety and minerality. Finishes crisp. It's delicious and could be either a Sancerre or a stylish New World Sauvignon Blanc. Guess the price at £9.99. 88/100

Wine 2 (Montana Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Marlborough)
Full grassy green nose. Green pepper here: very assertive. Powerful, herby, tangy palate with real weight and freshness. A new world Sauvignon Blanc. 87/100 Guess price at £7.99

Wine 3 (Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Marlborough)
A powerful, intense, fresh Sauvignon Blanc combining rich tropical friut notes with high acidity. Assertive and crisp. Concentrated style with lots of impact. A stylish new world Sauvignon Blanc. There's a bit of tomato leaf, too. Precision and power. 89/100 Guess price at £9.99

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3 Comments:

At 11:53 AM, Anonymous Cru Master said...

Hi Jamie

I am planning a very simlar trip in May - heading to Argentina and Chile - are there any wineries you could reccomend that I visit?

enjoy the trip!

Brendon

 
At 2:03 AM, Anonymous Dallas Uncorked said...

Just got back from Mendoza, visiting there for the Masters of Food and Wine festival. I am a wine journalist and sommelier, so I had the privledge to visit some of the smaller production, family owned wineries that make this region so unbelievable, like VIna Alicia, Bressia and Huarpe, but for the larger wineries that welcome vistors for tours and such I have to say Familia Zuccardi was lovely (and they make the best olive oil)and Susana Balbo at Dominio del Plata is an icon for female wine makers. Info on the trip is posted on my website, www.dallasuncorked.org

 
At 9:38 PM, Blogger Jamie said...

Brendon

Just off the top of my head -

Matetic
Loma Larga
Vinedo Chadwick
Viu Manent

Achaval Ferrer
Terrazas
Catena
Fournier

 

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