775. Kumeu River, Estate Chardonnay, 2010 
774. Duckhorn, Migration Chardonnay Russian River Valley, 2010 
773. Shafer, Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros, 2011 
772. Vasse Felix, Margaret River Chardonnay, 2012 
771. Joseph Drouhin, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, 2011 
770. Jean-Marc Pillot, Puligny-Montrachet Les Noyers Bret, 2011 Book 5
775. Kumeu River, Estate Chardonnay, 2010
A first chance to taste Kumeu River’s wines, and they’re certainly aiming for quality. Characterised by new oak, ripe, but linear fruit on the …
774. Duckhorn, Migration Chardonnay Russian River Valley, 2010
By contrast, although this was clearly Californian, its Sonoma restraint was evident, compared with the Shafer. Vanilla ice cream – very oaky. Caramel and …
773. Shafer, Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros, 2011
This is, simply put, classic Napa Chardonnay – everything turned up to 11. Deep, deep gold. Powerfully buttery, new oak aromatics. Vanilla and very …
772. Vasse Felix, Margaret River Chardonnay, 2012
Ripeness of fruit is definitively New World. However, the restraint and balanced use of oak shows the class of Margaret River Chardonnay. Pale gold. …
771. Joseph Drouhin, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, 2011
But this was the star of the show – maybe not £88 great, but really showed its class. Fennel herb, celery, cream, chalky, lees, …
770. Jean-Marc Pillot, Puligny-Montrachet Les Noyers Bret, 2011
Similar fennel, cream and yellow fruit profile, broadly, as the 1er cru, but without such fruit intensity or length. Oak further in the background, …
769. Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts, 2011
So it begins… The first of the highlights from a series of themed, open tastings of example wines typically found in the MW final …
768. Cave de Rasteau, Rasteau Rosé Vin Doux Naturel, NV (2009)
This was an oddity picked-up at the Cave de Rasteau after riding Ventoux. Drunk perhaps a bit old – so with somewhat more faded …
766. Poggio Argentiera, Vermentino IGT Toscana, 2012
[CIAO from Gianpaolo Paglia. This will bring you luck for the MW exams! Not likely to be one of the wines, unfortunately.] Nice to …