Domaine de Chevalier masterclas

It was the World Gourmet Summit once again! This time round, it was the 15th edition and we were glad to have joined the Domaine de Chevalier's Wine Masterclass with Mr Olivier Bernard.

NK Yong, Olivier Bernard and Perotti-Brown

The drop of God, 41yrs old!

1970, 1990, 2000 rouge...

Domaine de Chevalier, L's Espirit de Chevalier Blanc 2009
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2007
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2005
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2005
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2004
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2000
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 1990
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 1970

The whites, the 2009 was good for early drinking, notes of Honey, not overly sweet. Wait another yr or two, should be drinking. Olivier mentioned that this should not be aged for more than 7 yrs. The 2007 and 2005 were great too. Both took time to open up, with creamy, vanilla notes, these would need more cellaring or some hardcore decanting to bring out the flavours.

The rest. The whites of Chevalier are famous, making them quite unaffordable at times. The reds however, are of better value for money. All the wines exhibited chocolate, raisins and leather. This might reflect terroir which is has lots of pine trees around the region. This could also show the excellent wine making to produce wines of the character in the region. The 2004 is particularly open for drinking, pretty big and sweet. 2005 shows good balance, not too heavy,which is a testament of the winemaker's skill to tame the Cabernet Sauvignon in times of good vintange (when Merlot would be added less in proportion as the CabSav's grapes should be sufficiently ripe). Both 2000 and 1990 were excellent, both with classic dark chocolate notes and excellent balance. The 1990 could show signs of fading? The 1970 was pretty much anticipated, the whiff of chocolate is there still! Smooth tannins and a bit 'watery' at times, which I take as a sign that the wine might be reaching it's end?

Random wines

I haven't had the discipline to write proper notes, and having favoured Facebook over blogspot to put my thoughts on wines which I've tried. Here're some wines which I've missed putting up on this blog!

This was a stella line-up with a 1974 Latour as the star. Unfortunately, it didn't wow. Hence perhaps the lack of note writing.

2011-04-06 Extraspace Wines

Had a good time with WW and gang. A visit to the huge storage spaces at Boon Keng (www.extraspace.com.sg). A locker for 24 cases can be owned for ~SGD$80/month. We had packed food from Bendeemer food center and had the following wines.

Leitz Rudesheimer Berg Roseneck Spatlese 2009. Fruity, cripsy, very nice.
Marcel Deiss Riesling Beblenheim Alsace 2004. Would have preferred more acidity.
Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Spatlese Nahe 1997. Not bad.
Domaine Fourier Gevrey-Chambertin VV 2007. Opened by Henry, tasted blind, big and brooding pinot; pretty forward wine, perhaps the old vines helped.
Machiavelli Vigna Di Fontalle Chianti Classico Riserva 2001. Opened by Marcus, this fooled me initially thinking that it's a left bank with the rich black fruity nose of Cab Sav. Turned out to be a Chianti? Having little experience in Sangiovese, this was a very pleasant and balanced wine!