Top 10 wines in the Asian media

1979 Domaine Jean Defaix – Chablis Premier Cru Cote de Lechet

This wine was picked out by Jeannie Cho Lee MW, on asianpalate.com. She wrote: “The colour of this wine is still light lemon with no golden hue typical of many white wines with more than 30 years of age. The nose is reminiscent of mature Riesling with hint of petrol, honeysuckle and dried jasmine flowers. A gorgeous, silky, delicate wine that has matured beautifully. It will easily keep for another 5-8 years. This was produced with no barrel ageing and thanks to this, the wine retains freshness and lacy detail.”

2011 Raveneau Chablis

Cho Lee also recommended this wine, writing: “Intense, layered aromas of toasty and hazelnuts – amazing complexity for a village Chablis. The moderate acidity in 2011 allows the flavours to surface more in 2011 than in more concentrated years. 2007 was the first harvest for the vines for this Chablis which was planted in 2003.”

Porphyr Lagrein Riserva 2010

In the Bangkok Post, Pamela Tan wrote that this wine, “has a deep ruby colour and aromas reminiscent of morello cherries and bilberries, with notes of liquorice, coffee beans, vanilla, cloves and black tea, which makes it spicy and fruity at the same time.”

She added: “The wine is harmonious on the palate with very compact and concentrated, multi-layered flavours and a slightly sweet note of dark chocolate rounded off with silky tannins.”

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2004

This wine was recommended by Chek Wong in Thelocalnose.com. He wrote: “Fruit for this wine is sourced from the Côte des Blancs where Chardonnay reigns supreme. 5% of the wine was aged in new oak for 4 months. A rich, layered wine that is starting to show some evolution. Broad and mouth-filling with notes of smoke, toast, grilled nuts and citrus fruit. Excellent drinking now but shows incredible potential.”

Allendorf Illusion Riesling 2011

This was another recommendation from thelocalnose.com team, with Suzanne Brocklehurst writing: “Very attractive floral nose with underlying mineral notes; gentle sweet/ripe entry – but abundant citrus intensity to balance and quite long, mouthwatering length. Just lovely.”

Ed Soon added: “Pear and lemon flavours with a honeyed note and a refreshing citrus lift; Pleasant sipping wine and would be great for spicy food. Good quality.”

Tolpuddle 2012 Pinot Noir

Singaporean wine blogger Wai Xin, wrote on winexin.sg that this was had an, “alluring and seductive perfume aroma that bloomed into a vibrant lively red cherries. Palate was fresh, bright liveliness layered by soft fine tannin body.”

Nashwauk Tempranillo 2010

Xin also recommended this wine, writing: “Kaesler Wines doesn’t need any introduction, but their newly created brand Nashwauk deserved a visit. Tempranillo, a native grape to Spain, were planted in 2000 with a total acreage of 1.5 acres. Extremely small production, this young wine with its vibrant red fruits, spices and sweet earth showed along with the gripping sweet tannins.”

Nambrot Tenuta de Ghizzano 2008

This wine was recommended on the website winetimeshk.com, and was described as follows: “Nambrot is a wine that, on face value I would probably not choose to drink as it’s comprised of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot thus going against my best intentions of drinking wines from Italy only made from indigenous grapes.

“It must be said though that I was blown away by the complexity and elegance of the 2008 vintage which I found most pleasurable both on the nose and on the palate. It was silky smooth with a subtle richness that really complimented the veal that was served with the flight of wines.”

Cahors Malbec

Winebuzz.hk recommended this wine, writing: “An almost black colour, this rich wine has plenty of forest fruit and a great acidity and freshness that makes it drinkable with lighter dishes too. All the aromas of blackberries, violet, liquorice and eucalyptus and with a bit of ageing you might find the legendary truffle aromas coming from the region.”

Cantina di Venosa Scarl Carato Venusio Aglianico del Vulture 2004

And finally this wine was picked out by Winekorea.asia, who wrote: “A well balanced powerful wine made with 100% Aglianico. Perfumed nose with plum, cedar, coffee and dark fruit. Tight at first but it opens up with finesse, intensity and great presence.”