News, Awards and Reviews
October 2009
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25 Years Young
As you will know, Alliance Wine is 25 in 2009. The finale of our formal celebrations took place at the incredible Tate Modern on Wednesday 21 October 2009 attended by many of the UKs top journalists, on and off trade buyers, sommeliers and business owners.
We were delighted to share our 25 Inspired Wines concept with the attendees - taking them through 25 wines produced by our suppliers and innovatively tasting them alongside the wines that inspired them! This theme threw up some fascinating pairings enjoyed by the assembled guests.
We were overwhelmed by the messages of appreciation following the event, and very pleased that the whole evening was enjoyed so much.
We are grateful for the support of our customers, suppliers and contacts over the last 25 years and we excitedly look forward to another 25 years at the forefront of finding 'the classic wines of the future'.
Anthony Rose summed up some key elements of the evening in his story '25 Years Auld Alliance' View it here
Harper's also featured a short tribute in their piece 'An unlikely Alliance of pairings' in 30 October issue.
'Hats off to Alliance Wine which came up with a novel way of celebrating its 25th anniversary last week. It invited some of its top winemakers to host a comparative tasting including a wine that has inspired them .
It meant those invited to the do at the Tate Modern could enjoy pairings that included the
likes of Château Cheval Blanc, 2001, Château Haut-Brion 1er Cru Classe, 1995, Château D’Yquem 2004 and even an ice cider from Canada.
Forthcoming Events and Tastings
A note of a few forthcoming key events is below and is available on our website. If you want further details check out the various links below or please click here and advise which event you are interested in.
NOVEMBER
- Paul Hobbs and Vina Cobos Tasting, Soho Hotel, London
Wednesday 11 November 2009
For more information click here
- Decanter Fine Wine Encounter
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2009
For more information click here
- Wines of New Zealand Annual Trade Tasting
Tuesday 12 January 2010
For more information click here
If you wish to request a winemaker tasting lunch or dinner speak to your local Sales Manager to see what can be arranged.
Alliance - Wine Innovators
The Wine Innovation Awards were launched in 2009 by the drinks business to recognise and reward the creative in wine. The awards were established to highlight the work of those brand owners and winemakers who are innovating and making top-quality wines – whether in the vineyard or the winery – and give the winners the opportunity to shout about how they are changing the face of modern winemaking.
The response to the Wine Innovation Awards in its first year was excellent with entries coming in from all corners of the winemaking world.
We were delighted that 2 wines from the Los pecadillos range were awarded:
- 2008 Los Pecadillo Pereza 'Sloth' Old Vine Garnacha was awarded bronze.
- 2007 Los Pecadillos Invidia 'Envy' Verdejo Sauvignon was commended.
Radical New Design - Zuccardi Q range
Famila Zuccardi are aiming to bring consistency across their label range and have consequently redesigned the Q series more in line with Serie A and Zeta. A single label now dominates the design rather than two smaller labels. Information on varietal, vintage, vineyard and even altitude is now given on the front label.
The biggest change is to the Chardonnay bottle itself. It is now presented in a caramel coloured burgundy style bottle, a change from the previous Bordeaux square shoulder presentation.
Zuccardi wanted all wine ranges to be clearly part of 'the Zuccardi family of wines' showing how important family is to them.
Bodegas Laus celebrate multiple accolades in 09
Bodegas Laus are proud to release a list of their key wins in 2009. The list includes some commendations as well as a range of gold, silver and bronze medals. A full list can be viewed by clicking here See all wins
Click on the logo to access Bodegas Laus website.
An Impressive 91 points for Sherwood Pinot
Sherwood Pinot Noir 2008 has been awarded 91 points The wine Advocate, Robert Parker Jnr.
The wonderful 2008 Pinot Noir has a lovely cranberry and raspberry leaf nose with superb definition. The palate is very well crafted with fine tannins, well judged acidity allowing the joyous fruit to really express themselves: raspberry, a touch of blueberry and dark cherry. Given the price, this is exceptional value and comes highly recommended. Bravo!
Triple Gold for Stella Bella
The Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia is the only wine show in Australia to exclusively judge Western Australian grown wines. Originating in Mt Barker in 1978, the Qantas Wine Show of Western Australia marks 32 years of celebrating and judging in 2009.
The 2009 awards and gala awards dinner, at the Hyatt Regency Perth, signified and celebrated the dedication, focus and commitment of the wine growing industry in Western Australia.
Stella Bella celebrated gold three times:
- · 2007 Stella Bella Shiraz
- · 2008 Stella Bella Chardonnay
- · 2007 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Stella Bella Chardonnay 2007 also won a GOLD medal at the Adelaide Wine Show.
What's rated and reviewed this month?
We like to bring you a note of some of the key reviews and ratings each month. See some references to our wines, for September, below:
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Visiting Odfjell - Jamie Goode's recent trip
Jamie Goode visited one of our Chilean superstars - Odfjell - and tasted through the selection.
Odfjell Armador Carmenère 2005
Very ripe, rich, dark spicy nose. Really intense and bold. The palate is focused and quite balanced with lush fruit and a lovely spicy savoury character. 91/100 
Odfjell Orzada Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Very distinctive liqueur-like nose of pure blackcurrant fruit. Ripe with high alcohol. The palate is smooth with nice purity and elegance. Some earthy spiciness in the background. 90/100
Odfjell Aliara 2004
A blend of Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. This was a complicated year with rain ahead of harvest. Brooding smooth dark fruits nose with a liqueur-like character. The palate is dense and smooth with lovely integrated oak and some nice spiciness. A serious effort. 92/100
Odfjell Orzada Carignan 2004
Very smooth, varietally true, lush focused dark fruits on the nose. The palate is ripe but restrained withconcentrated dark fruits and firm tannins. Really lively and bold with good acidity. A massive wine. 93/100
Odfjell Orzada Carignan 2005
Lush, over-ripe liqueur-like nose with smooth dark fruits. The palate is fresh and dark with great purity and focus without being heavy. Fresh with some spicy tannins. Striking and interesting. 92/100
Odfjell 2005
15.5% alcohol. Sophisticated, smooth and lush with some alcohol and sweet dark fruits. The palate is very rich and bold but also quite tannic and savoury with good acidity. The alcohol comes across a bit too much. Pushing the limits of balance. 91/100
Odfjell Cabernet Franc 2004
Very smooth, fresh and quite elegant with pure red and black fruits. The palate is midweight and nicely poised with some tannin. 90/100
www.jancisrobinson.com
Richard Hemmings wrote about Odfjell wines after trying them at Wines of Chile in September.
Odfjell, Armador Carmenère 2007 Central Valley 16.5
Fruit cake, malt, moderate intensity, smooth and peppered finish with good balance. Comely restraint.
Odfjell, Orzada Carignan 2005 Maule Valley 17
100-year-old vines, dry-farmed. Organic in 2005, certified from 2006.
Liquorice, fennel, black cherry liqueur, eucalypt. Very pleasing nose, fine texture, long finish, appetising andbalanced.
Odfjell, Orzada Cabernet Franc 2005 Maule Valley 16
Cassis, menthol, soft tannin, slightly two-dimensional, though its comparative lightness is quite a relief from similar Chilean heavyweights. Bit of heat on the finish.
Odfjell 2005 Maule Valley 17.5
100% Carignan, selected from the same 100-year-old vineyard as their Orzada, with two years in French oak. Tremendously seductive scent. Liquorice, harmonious oak, vanilla, cedar, cigar box, lots to offer the palate – ripe and distinguished.
Watch Quinta da Aveleda
We have included a link to Wine Library TV where Joshua Greene, Editor of Wine & Spirits Magazine, talks about his Top 100 Wines of 2009, with special focus on Quinta da Aveleda.
View the review at: http://tv.winelibrary.com/2009/09/23/wine-spirits-top-100-part-1-episode-741/
Decanter Suckfizzle - Broad horizons, broad minds
2007 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Semillon
'Refined, creamy vinous, linen-textured'.
Andrew Jefford, in Australia, discusses Margaret River with particular reference to Stella Bella's Sucfilzzle white, above. Read the full review here.
A Taste Of Victoria - Shelmerdine
Shelmerdine Pinot Noir 2008 was featured in Harper's Australia Supplement this month as best in show at a recent Victorian Regional Varieties Blind Tasting.
Top 10 Shopping Basket - Zephyr
Jon Dixon, Executive Director for Food, at M & S, lists Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc among his top 10 must-have M & S basket items.
Bernard Defaix - One of the Top 10 Domaines in Chablis
Allen Meadows on www.burghound.com praised Domaine Defaix as one of the top 10 domaines in Chablis.
Domaine Bernard Defaix – Chablis
Didier Defaix describes 2008 as a “complicated vintage. There were periods of heat followed by cool and rainy counterparts that would have normally set the stage for rot but the north wind saved things as it arrived right at the beginning of September. It was a good thing too because we didn’t start picking until the 30th and slowly harvested until the 17th of October. We were able to do this because the wind dried things out so thoroughly that there was absolutely no rush.
Moreover, it allowed us the luxury of picking each parcel exactly when optimum ripeness was achieved as the wind helped to concentrate the sugars though it had a tendency to degrade the acidity so we had to watch things closely. Potential alcohols came in between 12 and 13% though yields were a good 30% lower than in 2007. I very much like the ‘08s as there is a bit more flesh to them than with the ‘07s even though the ‘07s could actually be approached now if desired.” I’ve noted this before but it bears repeating.
The Defaix wines are now among the top 10 domaines in Chablis and both the ‘07s and the ‘08s merit your attention.
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Tel: 01505 506 060 Fax: 01505 506 066
Email: sales@alliancewine.co.uk Web: www.alliancewine.co.uk