Top wines in the Asian media

Golden Ball Shiraz 2009

Singaporean wine blogger, Wai Xin recommended this wine on his blog, winexin.sg. He wrote: “The initial gentle whiff of black fruit paired with red berries and light sweet spices and no sign of the signature alcohol punch. Fine firm tannins, creamy and supported by lively acidity. Sufficiently ripen without excessive extraction. A very unusual style of Shiraz from Australia. In other words, a bloody good wine.

2009 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Pinot Noir

This wine was picked out as “wine of the week” by Jeannie Cho Lee MW on asianpalate.com, she wrote: “A full bodied Pinot Noir that is very tightly wound and very youthful. For a Pinot, the colour is rich and dark. The nose is attractive with notes of rosemary, thyme and cedar and on the palate there is a concentration of blackberries and cherries. A wine to watch over the next several years to see how it will evolve. Perfect now for those who prefer big, brawny, powerful Pinots (14%) with dark berry flavours.”

2005 Dana Estates – Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard

This is another wine recommended on asianpalate.com, this wine is described as “among the lightest expression of Dana’s single vineyard reds. Seductive aromatics include violets, roses and sweet spices. The mid palate offers generous flavours of blackberries and cedar with tannins that are seamless and velvety textured. Long finish shows wonderful potential for this wine to age and evolve further.”

Frank Family Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay 2010

This is described as “a fantastic wine and one that seems almost designed for food”, by the Wine Times of Hong Kong.

The publication added: “There are some notes of Crème Brulee and some tropical fruit and it was paired with a foie gras mi cuit with apple and crispy bread. It was a fantastic pairing where the creaminess of the Foie Gras matched perfectly the palate feel of the Chardonnay. The apple too was an exquisite match to the characters of the wine. Truly delightful.”

2010 Tabali Reserva Especial Pinot Noir

Chee Wee Lee, from Singapore website thelocalnose.com, wrote of this wine: “Dark berry notes on the nose that are very opulent. Big, intense juicy wine with good density. It has some spicy notes, firm tannins, and a fine acid lift. Savoury style of Pinot Noir.”

Sarah Mayo added: “Refreshing, ripe and juicy with very clean and easy fruit flavours in the mouth. Nice – n – easy Pinot Noir.”

2010 SoulTaker Pinot Noir

This is another wine recommended by The Local Nose team, Timothy Goh wrote: “Intense ruby colour, intense and formed aromas of raspberries, caramelised strawberries, touch of cedarwood,and tobacco a the back of the palate. Nice and sweet on the entry with very ripe fruit. Intensely good.”

Sarah Mayo added: “Warm raspberry and forest floor aromas with a hint of rhubarb on the nose. Nice, fine-grained tannin frame with a vibrant backbone of acid. This is a well made-wine that is delish – it can drink now but will improve if you’re patient.”

Los Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva 2007

This wine was picked out by Winekorea.asia, who wrote: “Dense purple colour. Tight blackberries and boysenberries on the nose initially. Leathery tannins are balanced, with plenty of grip but don’t dominate, (a problem with some cheaper Malbecs). The wine opens up after 45min with pointed blackberries, tight black forest and dark wood. Elegant and classy with a long sustained finish.”

Romano Dogliotti la Galeisa Moscato D’Asti

And finally, JC Viens recommends this wine in winebuzz.hk, writing: “Moscato D’Asti is a delightful, intensely aromatic sparkling wine from the Piemonte region in the north-west of Italy. The ‘La Galeisa’ from Romano Dogliotti is crisp and light and, with only 5.5% alcoholic strength, it has a delicate mousse and is slightly sweet. Made from the Moscato grape, it is extremely perfumed and gives aromas reminiscent of spring blossoms, peach and pears. It is perfect as an aperitif but can very well match delicate and perfumed Asian dishes and desserts made with fruits.”