So, my final round-up of wines of the year, 2016. So many good bottles, of which this long series has highlighted just a few.
Contino Gran Reserva 2009 Rioja, Spain
We tried this from bottle and magnum. I preferred the bottle (the magnum will probably be better in time), and this is the one I took the note from. Concentrated, sweetly fruited and bold with smooth autumnal fruits. Spice, black cherries, warm herbs, tobacco. Lovely fine-grained tannic structure with superb balance and potential for further development. 95/100
Meinklang Konkret Rot 2012 Burgenland, Austria
13% alcohol. This is a varietal Saint Laurent, fermented and aged in 900 litre concrete eggs for 12 months. It’s aromatic and floral with lifted raspberry and cranberry fruit. So floral and focused, with a little bit of sweetness from the subtly elevated volatile acidity. The palate has amazing texture and concentration of smooth, sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit. Concentrated and quite profound, with purity and texture, and a grainy, mineral, slightly chalky edge. 95/100
BK Wines Gower Pinot Noir 2014 Adelaide Hills, Australia
Beautifully aromatic and textural with fine sappy notes and sweet cherries and plums. This wine has lovely density with a core of rich but balanced fruit and a lively, juicy finish. Tight and delicious. 95/100
Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 Tasmania, Australia
This is youthful, unusual and quite beautiful. Lively peppery, spicy nose has a hint of ginger and some wildly aromatic herbal notes. Distinctive. The palate is juicy and vivid with really fresh, focused cherry and raspberry fruit and very fine spicy notes. Lovely sappy elegance here: youthful and quite beautiful. 95/100
Yarra Yering Dry Red No 1 2014 Yarra Valley, Australia
From a vineyard planted in 1969, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. 13.5% alcohol. Brooding blackberry and black cherry nose with a tiny hint of mint. Lovely presence on the palate with fresh, concentrated black fruits and a touch of nice green. Lovely elegance coupled with firm structure. Pure and serious. 95/100
Chateau Ste Michelle and Dr Loosen Eroica Single Berry Select Riesling 2007 Washington State
7.5% alcohol. Incredibly concentrated and intense. Viscous and raisiny with lovely citrus drive and intense apricot and peach notes. Stunning stuff: really concentrated but with balancing freshness and nice spiciness. Sensational. 96/100
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