Michelin ranks wine estates

Michelin ranks restaurants around the world - and charges regions handsomely for the privilege. 

It has also started rating hotels - posing questions about the qualifications and the experience of its un-named judges. 

And now the Michelin guides are going further into the rankings business with the launch of Michel Grape, a "new distinction spotlighting wine estates and producers across different regions of the world".

Michelin says: With this new distinction, we provide wine lovers with a trusted benchmark."

The ratings system, launched in Burgundy before rolling out worldwide, covers three classifications.

Three Michelin grapes will be awarded to exceptional producers. Whatever the vintage, wine lovers can turn to the estate’s creations with complete confidence.

Two Michelin grapes will signify excellent producers who stand out as exceptional within their peer group and region for both quality and consistency.

One Michelin grapes will recognise very good producers who craft wines of character and style, especially in the best vintages.

There were no real surprises when the top names were revealed.

Those earning Three Michelin Grapes were Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, Domaine d’Auvenay, Cécile Tremblay, Dugat-Py, Roumier, Coche-Dury, Jean-Marc & Thomas Bouley and Hubert Lamy.

Calling Australian lovers of fine Bordeaux wines

 

Calling Australian lovers of fine Bordeaux wines blessed with deep pockets. 

Wines from the 2022 vintage from the Bordeaux wine region have landed in Australia though auction house and importers Langtons, with one of the largest and most comprehensive allocations of the vintage. 

The offering showcases both regional stalwarts and up-oand-coming producers.

Available via the Langtons website, the wines on offer will include Château Lafite Rothschild; Château Figeac; Château Pontet Canet; Château Cos d’Estournel and Château Canon with pricing starting at $50 all the way to rare investment-grade wines for $2,000 a bottle. 

“Bordeaux has been an integral part of our portfolio for many years here at Langtons, and we are so thrilled to be welcoming its latest 2022 vintage into our extensive collection from the French region,” says Langtons head of Wine & Spirits Ramon Gunasekara. 

“The 2022 vintage has already been hailed as one of Bordeaux’s best in recent history, and we are proud to be Australia’s destination to get access to these very special and iconic wines.”

The benchmark 2022 vintage saw extremely hot and dry conditions throughout the region, but despite the extreme weather, many producers crafted wines possessing power, ripeness and vibrancy akin to vintages such as 1961 and 1982, the Langtons team says. 

“Irrespective of fluctuations being seen in the market, it's a wonderful time to buy Bordeaux, both new and old,” says Langtons head of auctions Michael Anderson.

“Brilliant vintages in Bordeaux like 2022 make for an excellent investment opportunity with savvy investors finding the top wines of the vintage and squirreling away their share to watch their value rise in the secondary market.

"It's a great time for those looking for both younger and older examples of Bordeaux to add to their cellars with the market very well-priced across a range of vintages, with my top picks to look out for being 2000 and 2005.

"Bordeaux remains a cornerstone of global fine wine collecting and a long-term luxury investment."

A sweet deal for lovers of sticky wines

Calling lovers of serious sweet wines. 

De Bortoli Wines are celebrating the 40th year of  Australian wine icon Noble One Botrytis Semillon with an exclusive Limited Edition release. 

The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition comes with a vintage wine from each of the last four decades, showcasing the potential longevity of Noble One.

Only 40 Limited Editions were curated and autographed by Darren de Bortoli, who first pioneered the production of Noble One in 1982.

De Bortoli believed that conditions in the Riverina region were ideal for sweet white wine, and crafted Australia's benchmark "sticky".

The long warm days interspersed with showers of rain and heavy morning dews during autumn, are ideal conditions for botrytis cinerea mould (known as Noble Rot) that produces intensely flavoured sweet wines. 

Noble One has been awarded over 182 trophies and 505 gold medals, with every vintage winning multiple awards.

The Noble One 40th Anniversary Limited Edition includes the 1984, 1993, 2004 and 2018 vintages, 

The collections are available exclusively available at the De Bortoli online shop for $2000 per Limited Edition.

Visit www.debortoli.com.au/nobleone40thanniversary

Cullen marks 50th birthday with a 98-point release

This year marks a major milestone for Margaret River icon Cullen Wines: 50 years of vinous excellence. 

This week, meanwhile, marks the release of the flagship 2019 Diana Madeline cabernet blend, recognised as one of the country's finest reds. 

I gave the 2019 Diana Madeline 98 points - my highest score of the year so far - for its impeccable poise and balance. 

"It is one of our best to date, some say rivalling the great 2018, and some say its even better," syas winemaker Vanya Cullen of the wine named in tribute to her trailblazing mother. 

I can't think of a better Valentine's Day gift for a wine-loving loved-one; and at $140 a bottle it remains a bargain compared to some of Australia's other icon wines. 

The vines were planted in 1971 and skin contact time ranged from 10-29 days before being gently basket pressed to barrel.The wine has spent an average of 15 months in oak, with 45% new oak, in a mixture of biodynamic barriques and puncheons. 

The varietal blend is 87% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% malbec. It is 100% organic and biodynamic and Vanya (above) says it will cellar for up to 50 years.

My notes: It is a dark wine this, richly perfumed and approachable early with a panoply of red fruit flavours from dark cherries to wild berries and black plums. A tour de force of balance and restraint at just 13.5% alcohol. A wine of length, concentration and style. 

For sports lovers think Flo Jo (without the drugs) in a bottle . 

See www.cullenwines.com.au/