Lianhe Zaobao Wine Review Challenge 2008

Organised by SPH in conjunction with Wine Review's Chng Poh Tiong. This annual affair has mainly commercially easily available wines. The medals and trophies from this competition have been listed for a point of reference.

1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, Champagne (Gold, Joint Best in class)
WADA rated 88+pts
Delicious and rich lemon custard with teasing aromas of baked bread. Nail varnish follows closely …riding on the tailcoats of fresh white fruits. Fresh and full mouthfeel that closes the symphony of citrus richness with pickled Japanese radish shreds.

1999 Philiponnat Clos des Goisses Brut, Champagne (Gold, Joint Best in class)
WADA rated 91pts
On the nasal front, this petite lady is not at all overwhelmed by the grand old lady (Veuve Cliquot). While the old lady had grandeur, this little lady is all about gracefulness and gentle kindness. Much rounder with rich creamy peanut-butteriness accompanied shortly after with gentle caresses of white flowers and white stone fruits. I am feeling the love…very much so.

2000 Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Rose, Champagne (Bronze)
WADA rated 87pts
Perfumed nose of flower petals…in particular roses. A different lady altogether from the rest of the champagnes tasted. This has a dainty sweet aura encircling a core of peachy fruit . Good delectable finish.

2000 Philiponnat Cuvee 1522, Champagne (Bronze)
WADA rated 83pts
Intense chicken essence with yeasty notes overpowering most of the nose. Bright fresh lemons carry most of the palate with a moderately satisfying finish.

1999 Philiponnat Grand Blanc Brut, Champagne (Bronze)
WADA rated 79pts
Again very yeasty chicken essence aromas that overwhelms most of any fruits. A duller palate than the Cuvee 1522 tasted. Didn’t get much besides some citrus acidity.

1997 Lanson Noble Cuvee Blanc de Blanc, Champagne (Silver)
WADA rated 82pts
Focused but gentle aromas of honeyed lemon drops. Good full mouthfeel with moderate finish.

NV Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc, Champagne (Bronze)
WADA rated 86pts
Intense nose of honey dew, melons and a drop of margarine. Great length and grip. Rich yet focused with balance. This should be a vintage champagne and my favourite of the NVs being served.

NV Delamote Blanc de Blanc, Champagne (Bronze)
WADA rated 78pts
Muted aromas of some citrus grapefruits. I found the flavours too one dimensional and unchallenging. Disappointed.

2007 Castel Sauvignon Blanc (Gold, Best in class)
WADA rated 82pts
A very expressive nose of rock melons and honey dew dominated by a big helping of banana-rama! Citrusy with lemon pith. There is some complexity that is just as enjoyable to a newbie. The finish could have done better on length and grip.

2006 Bouchard Aine & Fils 1er Cru Vaillons, Chablis (Silver, Best in class)
WADA rated 79pts
Simple white peach framed by citrus freshness. Tastes similar to a lemon drop sweet. However, the finish is sadly short.

2006 Markus Molitor “Wehlener Klosterberg” Kabinett Riesling, Mosel (Bronze)
WADA rated 82pts
Whiffs of smokiness and nuttiness carries through on typical German Riesling aromas. Good focus of slate carrying through on a a mineral undertone.

2006 Jacob’s Creek Orlando Steingarten Riesling, Eden Valley (Bronze)
WADA rated 83pts
Small white flowers dancing about citrus tones with a somewhat bready nose. Good acid structure composing mainly of bright citrus. Needs more balance for a higher score but seems to have potential to age beautifully.

2006 Schloss Johannisberg Kabinett Riesling (Bronze)
WADA rated 85pts
Perfumed notes of sweet apricots, peaches in a garden of floral blooms. Good citrus acidity balancing off on a lychee body. Good balance and finishes well.

2006 Voyager Estate Chardonnay, Margaret River (Bronze)
WADA rated 86pts
A haven of butter and nuts enveloped by a cloud of vanilla oak (which could just be a tad bit too much). The mouthfeel is full with bright fleshiness, white flowers, white peaches ending on a long finish.

2005 Wyndham Estate Show Reserve Chardonnay (Gold, Best in class)
WADA rated 88pts
This won the only Gold medal of its class and Best of class at the wine review challenge. However, I had been skeptical knowing Wydham as a commercial producer rather than a quality one but I was proven wrong by this effort. I was dumbstruck by the almost burgundian characteristics showing so beautifully in this new world wine. The burgundian “ass”-like aromas had been nicely replicated with hints of white flowers as well. Explosive on the palate with a layered attack of rich buttermilk and almonds. Despite its power, it does manage to pull off control and restraint in its attack. Wow! I would love to throw this in a blind burg tasting to see how it fares.

2007 Wyndham Estate Bin 222 Chardonnay (Silver)
WADA rated 81pts
Considering that I was wowed over by the show reserve, I had expected much more from their Bin 222 given that it was the only of 4 silver medallists. However, I was just a whisker shy from being disappointed. Still a relatively good effort albeit a more new world approach. Citrus lemons framed by good oak on the nose. Shades of buttery creamy lemon custard cake teases on the palate with decent length, body and finish.

2005 Fallen Angel Pinot Noir, Central Otago (Gold)
WADA rated 83+pts
Ribena blackcurrants finishing with some bitter herbs. A closely burgundian effort if not for being slightly too sweetish on the nose. This is good though.

2006 Fromm Brancott Valley Pinot Noir (Bronze)
WADA rated 80pts
Obvious cat’s pee aromas. Simple brambly cherryish fruit. This is okay but not killing it for me.

2003 Clarendelle Rouge, Bordeaux (Bronze, Best in class)
WADA rated 81pts
Capsicum framed by menthol eucalyptus notes. Red berry fruits dominate. Decent finish.

2003 Chateau Laroque, St Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux (Bronze)
WADSA rated 82+pts
Opulent concoction of ripe plums, dark berries and currants. A short to moderate finish.

2005 Chateau Daugay, St Emilion (Bronze)
WADA rated 81pts
Some violets on the nose. Some opulence detected. Some fruits with some acid and some structure. Nothing special to an almost dull normality in its approach.

2005 Chateau Lamote (Bronze)
WADA rated 80pts
Green bell peppers on the nose with vegetal greenness on the palate. Finishes lightly herbal.

2004 Colazzi Toscana (Silver, Best in class)
WADA rated 84+pts
An infusion of ripe black cherries and dark flowers. Good ripeness of fruits without being overdone. Good body and length.

2003 Castello Di Cacchiano Chianti Classico docg (Bronze)
WADA rated 79pts
Restrained and cherryish. Good length but not getting much.

2005 Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone (Silver)
WADA rated 81pts
Some crayola action. Gentle berryish fruits finishing with peppery notes.

2003 Chateau Gigonan Clos du Roi, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone (Bronze)
WADA rated 86pts
Beautiful aromatics of floral roses. Has complexity and layers of fruits and good spice heat. Good body and length. Teeth-coating tannins but very agreeable for immediate drinking.

2005 Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape Privilege, Rhone (Bronze)
WADA rated 78pts
A somewhat artificial nose with nail varnish. Raspberries on the fore but that’s all.

2006 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semilion, Australia
WADA rated 86pts
Honeyed dried apricots and canned lychees. Exceptionally good sweetness that is not cloying. Wow! What a finisher.