Domaine Albert Boxler

Mistress of the Vine has been on the hunt recently for the perfect example of a modern style  Riesling from Alsace. It would be for one of my wine education afternoons and the hunt has proved harder than expected. Don’t get me wrong it has been an enjoyable time  but after today I need look no further than the 2008 Domaine Albert Boxler Riesling. A very dry style  Riesling but yet heavily concentrated with heady perfume and serious grapefruit characteristics that follow straight through the nose to the palate. I found grapefruit was all over most of the  Boxler range that I looked at today. The 2008  Domaine Albert Boxler  was a beautifully balanced and sexy Riesling, I truly wish that more people loved this variety as much as I do. Riesling really is given a hard time, which I  don’t particularly understand because  in its modern state it shows really delicious citrus fruit on the nose and has glorious acidity and structure.

To give you a touch of background on this fantastic producer. Domaine Albert Boxler is a 300 year old family run house that sits high up in the Alsace village of Neidermorschwihr. Domaine is currently run by Jean Boxler, grandson of Albert and holds one of Alsace’s more prestigious addresses, with a reputation of producing some of the regions best wines.

I was lucky enough to taste the 2008 Riesling Sommerberg “JV” Grand Cru and the 2008 Riesling Sommerberg “D” Grand Cru today also and both were outstanding  examples of Grand Cru Riesling from Alsace.

Tim Stock from Vinous Solutions is where you can find these wines in Australia.

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Ps the  2008 Domaine Albert Boxler Riesling received 4x Kisses from the Mistress

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2008 Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin Chablis ‘Les Clos’ Grand Cru

2008 Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin Chablis ‘Les Clos’ Grand Cru

What a beautiful wine this is and after having a little time to reflect, this was my favourite wine at the Vinous Imports Tasting, held today at Bilsons’ Restaurant.

Such a complex and interesting nose with layer upon layer of sophisticated and refined fruit characters. The nose reminded me of a shy yet beautiful child peeking out at you. Showing slight hints of tropical fruit with rich honey comb bringing up the rear. Appealing floral and almond kernel nuttiness showed on the palate, finishing with amazing length and balanced lively acidity. Since the 2008 vintage from Chablis is an absolute cracker, I would expect that this wine would be alive for many years to come.

This wine fits all the pre-requisites for 5 kisses. 2008 is a great vintage for Chablis. The Droin family are one of the oldest in the region and it fits all the varietal characteristics that I want to see in Chablis. So people I am awarding the first ever 5 x Kisses from the Mistress. This is a great wine and I truly recommend it.

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Vinous Imports Tasting

It’s spring! Finally the weather is starting to get warmer, the bees are doing their pollination thing, rabbits are starting to …. well do what rabbits do and it’s the beginning of the spring tasting season.

Mistress of the Vine today headed to the first tasting for the week . Held by Tim Stock’s Vinous Solutions the line up was certainly impressive. I have often supported Tim Stock in various restaurants where I have written the wine list. He has a great palate and his portfolio certainly reflects this.  I was impressed with nearly all the wines that were on show today, especially the Champagne Andre Jacquart, Domaine Bruno Sorg – the Sylvaner was awesome,  Domaine Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin ( 2008 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru has to be the best example of Chablis I have looked at in a long time)  and Clotilde Davenne.

Tim always strives to source  producers who are doing something a little different. He focuses on wine makers making real  wines that represent where they come from, with sound techniques and from vineyards that use organic, bio-dynamic  and sustainable vineyard practices.

Well done Mr Stock on your latest round of imports. All were impressive.  I shall post my tasting notes and I look forward to working – and drinking them in the very near future!!!

Kisses.

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Bringing Biodynamic To Bloodwood

The wine list. Such an important part of any truly good dining experience. As a sommelier myself I could quite happily spend hours  immersed in  a good list, which can be rather unsociable at times, but to me the wine list  is slightly more important than the menu.

So much thought and time goes into a good wine list and so many factors make it either good or bad. Is it easy to read? Is there good selection? Does it suit the cuisine that it is supporting? Is there varietal expression? Does it cover all price brackets? I could go on and on!

I have just taken over the wine list at Bloodwood Restaurant and Bar and I am completely changing the definition –  showcasing only organic, bio-dynamic and certified sustainable wines. Bloodwood itself is very sustainable in its practices. The chefs use and support local small business and  up and coming designer  Matt Woods has a Masters in sustainable design, which is obvious throughout the venue with his use of recycled materials.

Rather that pushing the list towards a particular region or country by focusing on organic and biodynamic wines, we can drink and enjoy some great  wines from all parts of the world and do our little tiny bit for the environment.

So watch this space there are going to some very kissable wine reviews over the next few weeks.

Come down and see Mistress of the Vine in action at Bloodwood Restaurant and Bar ( 416 King Street Newtown, Sydney).

Come watch the transformation of the wine list!

Kisses

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