Wine Selections from the Private Cellar

September, 2009

Private Cellar, who specialise in providing selected wines for private clients and pride themselves on service, held their annual Autumn Wine Tasting at the top of the Centrepoint Tower in Oxford Street London. 

If you can wrangle an invitation it is worth going for the view alone. High on the fourteenth floor overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral and the City, the vista provides a great backdrop to a tasting or is it a distraction? 

At the tasting The Private Cellar team presented a snap shot of their portfolio including some new arrivals and had a few of the producers there to chat with. 

Prior to the tasting I had a chance to talk to Anja Weber, one of the owners of Springfontein from South Africa, a winery pioneering a new cool climate area. I will be putting her fascinating story up on the site shortly. 

In the meantime I thought I would let you know my highlights of the tasting:- 

Champagne 

NV Legras & Haas Brut Tradition Champagne £22.95

Smells just like a fresh green apple in a fruit driven style with some background autolysis complexity. Lively vibrant and fruity to taste, a perfect aperitif to get the taste buds zinging. 

Whites 

2007 Chablis, Isabelle et Denis Pommier £13.50

This wine was selected by Simon Hoggart for a recent Spectator Wine Offer and I have enjoyed it immensely at home. No different at the tasting with aromas and flavours of peaches complimented by a creamy texture, minerality and a long, crisp, clean acid finish.   

2008 Chateau de Sours Blanc, Bordeaux £9.95

The wines from this estate renown for rosé are getting better and better. Very enticing aromas of passionfruit and kiwi fruit that aren’t overpowering or confected. More delicate than New World Sauvignons but never the less plenty of flavour and more refined to taste with grassiness and passionfruit followed by good acidity. Drink now and be beguiled. 

2007 Villa Wolf Pinot Gris, Pfalz, Germany £8.35

This is the style of Pinot Gris I like with a bouquet of honeydew and cantaloupe (or rockmelon as we Australians call it) arising from the glass and a combination of slightly unctuous texture, melon flavours, balancing acidity and a long finish in the mouth. Try with a Thai warm beef salad.   

2008 Terroir Selection Chenin Blanc, Springfontein, Walker Bay, South Africa £11.95

Swirling mass of pineapple and citrus aromas present a wine with plenty of lime, straw and fruit salad flavours and some oak. It has a mouth-filling texture, minerality and fine acidity which add to the complexity. Fresh scallops and prawns are the go.  

Dessert Wine 

2005 Château Laribotte, Sauternes, Bordeaux (375ml) £12.50

Whiffs of honey, marmalade and buttered toast introduce this very attractive Sauternes. On the palate the same flavours abound with good depth and richness matched by acidity that prevents the wine from being cloying. Perfect to accompany a good pâté or be radical and serve it with a pork terrine. 

Reds 

2007 le Pavillon du Château Beauchêne, Côte du Rhône £8.25

A lovely mix of red fruits and spice with herbal notes. Another indication of how good the 2007 Southern Rhone vintage was with delightful juicy ripe fruit, vibrant mixed spice and nice fine tannins. All in all far too easy to drink and good value. Buy a case or two. 

2006 Sasso Arso, Villa Bizarri, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo £8.95

I just love the name. Sounds like something Prime Minister Berlusconi might say to one of his companions and Villa Bizarri could be his country retreat. I am sure that is not the case and I digress from what is a very appealing wine. An inviting mix of cherry, chocolate and forest floor aromas with a medium bodied warming palate that makes it extremely approachable yet interesting. Good value also. 

2007 Pinot Noir, Bishop’s Head, Waipara, New Zealand £13.40

Charming bright lifted strawberry and summer fruits on the nose followed by attractive nuances of oak. Seductive strawberries wrapped in well integrated oak, fine tannins and a long finish make this wine a very attractive proposition. Duck magret would be a heavenly match. 

2006 Terroir Selection Pinotage, Springfontein, Walker Bay, South Africa £9.95

Worthy Pinotage from South Africa can be a little elusive and it is not liked at all by some; however it is pretty unique to the southern tip of this vast continent. This is a good example of what can be achieved and reflects its pioneering location. Lifted scents of damson, greengage plums, spice, some earthiness, oak and even maraschino cherry. Good concentration on the palate, plumminess, mineral tones, well worked oak and acidity makes this a pretty impressive package with a good sense of place. A slightly rustic wine ideal for rustic dishes such as good stews or cassoulet. 

2006 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California £30.12

Very typical Cabernet aromas of black currant, blackberry, cassis, with hints of leafiness and clever oak. This is a big wine with plenty of body and a very persistent finish. Rich berry fruit, ripe but not overcooked, plenty of power but not aggressive at all. Very generous in every department but balanced and poised. A class act made to develop for many years to come. A great example of Napa Cabernet.