Simon J Woolf – Wine Reviews Database

Day: 27 August 2021

Vinarstvi Krasna Hora – Anna 2020

Made with three weeks skin contact, and a second fermentation in the bottle. Produced to celebrate the birth of the winemaker Ondrej Dubas’s daughter. Crisp, with nice spicy fruit and white blossoms on the nose. The skin contact has tempered Read more

Rossidi – Gewurztraminer Orange 2019

One of the wilder vintages of this wine that Eddi has made so far, this leads with wiry elderflower aromas and a little volatility. There’s a hint of sweetness on the finish. I have to say the 2018 or 2017 Read more

Yaacov Oryah – The First Anthology 2018

A blend that’s very recognisably in Yaacov’s style, with super ripe exotic fruit flavours that are magically balanced by nice fruit acids. Kudos too, for reigning in the Viognier in the blend – a variety that can easily surge to Read more

Yaacov Oryah – Anthology of Spice 2019

An interesting skin fermented blend which I found hard to judge at first. There’s a fine seam of acidity which keeps what would otherwise be quite a big, heavy style in check. The tannins are subtle but present, the fruit Read more

Yaacov Oryah – Alpha Omega Gewurztraminer 2018

Attractive yellow orange colour, bright acids and pleasantly chewy tannins. There’s quite a full-on “tutti frutti” character, but it’s balanced by the texture and the spicy, tangy fruit. Recognisably Gewürztraminer, with a bit of elderflower on the nose, but not Read more

Yaacov Oryah – Alpha Omega Chenin Blanc 2018

With overripe apple on the nose, crème brulee and dried apricot, this is a big and fleshy character, but there’s freshness there and the finish feels light and balanced. Skin maceration has lent some dried fruit character to the proceedings, Read more

Bott Frigyes – Super Granum 2018

A blend of three grape varieties that I know and love from Hungary, but Nitra is hardly far away. Rich and complex, with honeyed notes and a hint of marzipan, there’s a fine seam of acids and mineral salts that Read more

Bott Frigyes – Muzska Cuvée 2019

This cuvée of international varieties opens with aromas of freshly grated lemon peel and a slightly stalky, green note – something which I find to be quite typical and not unattractive in wines from this part of Slovakia. Super sharp Read more

Bott Frigyes – Lipovina 2019

This is a variety you’d expect to see more commonly in neighbouring Hungary, but here in Nitra’s extreme continental climate it also apparently delivers the goods. This lightly skin macerated example kicks off with rather mysterious aromas, some candied green Read more

Wijngoed Gelders Laren – Oranje Boven 2018

A collaboration between Wijngoed Gelders Laren (in Gelderland), Diederik Walhof and Rose Groot from “Design en Wijn” (who designed the label). The wine was vinified and bottled at Neerlands Wijnmakerij, Bentelo, Overijssel. Cabernet Blanc was chosen for the blend. Although Read more