Bob McDonald

9.1

Aromas of plum and tobacco from this predominantly Merlot Wine with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc. Chocolatey flavours accompany the plum on the palate. This Wine is a rarity and was”discovered by Andrew Caillard MW from Australia’s leading auction house, Langtons. The grapes come from a tiny 0.4 Hectare Block along the boundary of St Emillion and Pomerol. The vineyard is surrounded by some of the biggest names of the right bank and is crammed between vines belonging to Ch L’Evangile and Ch La Dominique. Over the narrow gravel road is Chateau Petrus and Chateau Gazin. Across the D244 just a few metres away are vines belonging to Ch Cheval Blanc. It has largely existed unnoticed by the worlds Wine critics and survives in its current form because of it’s tiny size, local politics and dogged family hope” to paraphrase Caillard. Caillard goes on “Curiously the Chantecaille Vineyard has no Grand Cru classification because no Cellars have been built on the property. The Vineyard is so small (only 0.4 hectare) that any building would require the destruction of the Vineyard; a pointless exercise. As a consequence the crop is tractored to Chateau Guillot Clauzel in the commune of Pomerol, just a few kilometres away where it is vinified and then matured in barrel; all 5 or 6 of them! If “Chantecaille” was purchased by one of its more illustrious neighbours, the fruit could be incorporated in a more prized and expensive label!” The Wine itself was no Petrus but was medium bodied with M- intensity and light tannins Fermented in stainless steel and aged in used oak barrels it has little oak influence. All in all a curio. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for this little Vineyard. Postscript:
My longest ever Delectable Note but I thought it was an interesting story. 🍷 — 8 years ago

Ed Merrison

9.0

Cult. From the only pioneer that never lost faith with his Mornington Cabernet vines. Super red fruited, fresh, roasted red capsicum, more than just a curio. — 11 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A curio and brought to the dinner by the Assistant winemaker at Torbreck. Proof that the Hunter Valley does not have a mortgage on producing excellent aged Semillon. All the citrus and honey with waxy notes one could want. — 9 years ago

Karen K

9.2

Light bodied & coloured, not too sweet. — 11 years ago

with Iain

Trevor Maskell

9.0

Great curio white here. Slightly cloudy, great texture. Got everything in it. Beauty — 11 years ago

Martin Mills

9.2

Light in colour but huge in flavour - a real curio and proof of the Aussie touch with sweet wines — 10 years ago

with Gavin

Bob McDonald

9.3

Generally agreed to be the benchmark for Shiraz Viognier in Australia. However, in 2007, a frost decimated the crop to yield only 150 dozen instead of the usual 2000 dozen. Dark crimson. Notes of black pepper, spice and cooked meat. Tannins still need to soften and are hiding the minimal fruit which is showing cherry flavours. A curio. — 10 years ago

Martin Mills

8.9

Typically excellent otago Pinot found in Vancouver . A bit pricey at $45ish but worth it as a curio — 11 years ago

Paul Diamond

9.1

Crazy.. Still some good life! Regal and soft. Long layers of tertiary red and black fruits.. Leather and spice.. Great curio.. — 11 years ago