FINE Wine & Champagne India - Winter 2018

Encinillas Megacero Premium Blend
2015
Region: Chihuahua, Mexico.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
and Shiraz.
Appearance: Deep dark cherry with brick
red hues.
Nose: Intense. Complex. Aromas
of blackberry, with floral and
spicy notes.
Palate: Full bodied. Mouthy.
Opulent. Velvety tannins. Well
integrated.
Finish: Long permanence and
pleasant aftertaste.
Inside Information: Encinillas wines are
punished by the cold, heat and desert winds
and are products of imagination, tenacity
and talent. They surprise oenophiles and
professionals around the world with delightful
wines that share a legacy and recreate history.
At an altitude of 1560 meters, the clay-gravel
soil and favourable climatic conditions allows
a unique quality of grape that lend themselves
to exceptional wines of great distinction.
Committed to respect nature, the vineyard
management is based on organic and
sustainable agronomic practices.
In a nutshell: A taste of the desert.
Chateau des Charmes Vidal Ice Wine
2015
Region: Niagara-on-the-lake,
Ontario, Canada.
Varietal: Vidal.
Appearance: Bright shimmering gold.
Nose: Manifestation of honey,
apricot and flower gardens in
full bloom.
Palate: A rich mouth-coating feel.
Layered texture. Apricots and
mangoes spring out.
Finish: Straight forward. Charming
balance. Citrus finish.
Inside Information: “Making wine is not what
we do, it’s who we are” – the Bosc family
traces its roots back to a winegrowing tradition
seven generations ago in Alsace France, in
Algeria, as “pied noirs” in France, and finally
in Niagara, Canada where in 1978 Chateau
de Charmes was founded. In partnership with
a lawyer, Canada’s first commercial vineyard
dedicated exclusively to European vitis vinifera
varietals was planted – the success of which was
considered impossible in Canada’s climate.
Nay-sayers were proved wrong. The fledgling
wine industry was revolutionised. Native
varietals were banned from wine under the
Wine Content Act of 1988.
In a nutshell: The perfect substitute for
dessert.
FINE Event
Chateau Coutet Premier Cru Classe
Sauternes 1998
Region: Sauternes Barsac, Bordeaux,
France.
Varietal: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc,
Muscadelle.
Appearance: Deep gold with antique tints.
Nose: Subtle mix of candied
orange, apricot liqueur,
gingerbread and a touch of
saffron.
Palate: Fleshy. Caramel and honey
with light minerality.
Finish: Syrupy. Mastering perfectly
the balance between the
fullness and the freshness
of a vintage full of flavours.
Strong personality. Fine.
Inside Information: Weather conditions were
warm and dry in the first three months of the
year and budding happened earlier than
usual. Exceptional weather in June restored
the vegetation cycle and flowering took place
early in the month. A heat wave in August
and the very ripe berries showed substantial
potential. Botrytis cinereal developed well in
the first fortnight of September. The early and
even spread of the Noble Rot made it possible
to produce very high quality musts with great
potential for aromas and flavours.
In a nutshell: The wine of peace –
disarming and old.
Inputs for tasting notes by Radhika Puar
FINE WINE & CHAMPAGNE INDIA
31