Moss Wood Semillon 2022
1) 15079233 | $32.50
The Semillon, an iconic grape from Sauternais, is known for a fullness associated with sweet wines. But if it’s made into a dry wine? That’s what, for about fifty vintages, Australian vintner Moss Wood has been doing as he works to perfect a 100 per cent semillon dry white wine.
The opulence is certainly visible to the eye. Then scents of apricot and toast with figs charm the nose. And yes, the mouth is full-bodied, but structured in freshness. The palate offers tastes of Golden Delicious apple and candied lemon, the whole a touch smokey, a characteristic typical of Semillon.
A wine that plays well with the aphrodisiac ginger in almost all its guises.
Domaine Dupré-Goujon La Démarrante 2022
2) 15173844 | $28.40
A first encounter with “La Démarrante” from Domaine Dupré-Goujon, Côte de Brouilly appellation.
Straightaway, barely poured into the glass, the wine has an exciting ruby red colour. This is followed by myriad floral, fruity and spicy perfumes, heralding a mouth which explodes with the savage purity of a wonderfully domesticated gamay.
An encounter I’m not even close to forgetting.
The Miccine Carduus 2020
3) 12798398 | $42.00
“You don’t know Paula Cook?” I heard that question in the mid-2010s from a wine columnist, dismayed that I didn’t know this rising star – a woman from Quebec – who was excelling in the Italian region of Chianti Classico. Thanks, friend, as since then I have thoroughly enjoyed tasting the wines of Le Miccine estate, the property of this young vintner, with 14 vintages achieved already.
Almost an intruder in this region dominated by the sangiovese, the merlot found its niche in the Carduus, a “super Tuscan” made only of merlot.
The wine is a rather dense ruby red in colour, with a charming nose as tastes of fresh figs and plums set the tone. In the mouth, add black cherry and notes of blackcurrant. The freshness in the mouth sustains these flavours while suppressing the tannins for a smooth finish.
This 2020 is no exception. I am charmed again.
