Brighton Club

Tasting on Tues 5 Feb with Bruce from Eurowines. Interesting mix of N.Z. European and Spanish wines with a Seresin Olive oil taste in between the whites and reds.

Simonnet-Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne Brut NV from Chablis in France - non descript methode 80% Chardonnay / 20 Pinot Noir - lost the bubbles in a few seconds - could have been the glasses though.

Willm Reserve Riesling 2006 from the French Alsace - dryish (7gms/l RS) Apricot / limes / apples but I think this is too young - needs another couple of years.

Wairau River Marlborough Riesling 2006 - nice Riesling - typical stone fruit and citrus, clean mineral acidity - again needs more time - preferred this over the Willm.

Torres Gran Vina Sol 2006 from Pendes in Spain - 80% Chardonnay and 20% Parellada, a variety I’ve never heard of - fermented separately and 6 mths lees aging then into Limousin oak. A bit flowery in the nose, but the fruit flavours (peach?) and oak balance well. Not my kind of Chardonnay though!

Te Mata Estate Woodthorpe Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006 - nice wine as usual - great fruit concentration and oak balanced well, hint of Malolactic from barrel fermentation and lees - elegant finish, nice weight in the mouth.

Stonecroft Serine Hawkes Bay Syrah 2005 - lovely dense colour, almost ruby but lighter it’s Aussie cousins. Black berries and plums - velvety tannins - ncely balanced wine.

Torres Nerola Syrah 2005 again from Penedes in Spain - 80% Syrah / 20% Monastrell (Mouvedre) more raspberries and cherry in this one - mix of oak barrels contributing toast, mocha and vanilla. Nice wine….

Finished off with a Lustau Pedro Ximenez Sherry - licorice / black / raisins / sweet as…. Delicious.

Olive Oils from Seresin were Organic Extra Virgin: Plain, lemon and lime infused - wonder if the pepper finish and sharp flavours hadn’t dulled the palate for the reds though.