Liberty Wines don't stand still. New Names added to the portfolio

Liberty Wines don't stand still. 

New Names added to the portfolio

The Dean, Cork

Domaine Jubare Pouilly-Fuissé was one of my top favourites, showcasing that Liberty Wines continues to evolve. Their latest Portfolio Tasting, which took place at Cork's Dean Hotel last Monday, highlighted several newcomers, listed below.

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ENGLAND: Langham Wine Estate

FRANCE: Domaine Jubare, Corentin Chavy. 

GERMANY: Gunderloch

AUSTRALIA: House of Arras

SOUTH AFRICA: Paulus Wine Co., Restless River

ITALY: Mura Mura, Tenuta Mazzolino, Mecori, Torre di Terzolan

SPAIN: Viña Mayor

Quite a few new wines as well including the marvellous 2023 Frédéric Berne Beaujolais Lantignié. Others to impress were:

2022 Cantina di Gambellara Pinot Nero Delle Venezie IGT

2023 Tenuta Mazzolino `Terrazze`Pinot Nero

2023 Willunga 100 `Blind Spot Vineyard`Blewitt Springs Grenache

2021 Mecori `Duo` Etna Rosso

2019 Viña Mayor Ribera del Duero Reserva.

Favourite Whites

38 2024 Tinpot Hut Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

39 2024 Montes Zapallar Sauvignon Blanc

53 2023 Domaine Jubare Pouilly-Fuissé

13 2023 Pieropan Soave Classico

20 2024 Terre del Buontalenti Vermentino/Ansonica

26 2023 Domaine Vico `Le Bois du Cerf` Blanc

36 2024 Maison Les Alexandrins `Le Cabanon` Viognier

Favourite Reds

58 2023 Frédéric Berne Beaujolais Lantignié Gamay Noir

59 2022 Cantina di Gambellara Pinot Nero Delle Venezie IGT

60 2023 Heirloom Vineyards Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

67 2022 Antichi Poderi Jerzu `Bantu` Cannonau di Sardegna 

84 2022 Domaine Vico `Le Bois du Cerf` Rouge

100 2022 Pedro Parra `Vinista` Itata Valley País

108 2022 Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Syrah 

72 2023 Monterustico Dogliani

Sweet Finalé

116 2022 Château Laville Sauternes 

The tasting was arranged by grape variety. I was drawn to the Gamay and Pinot Noir table. The top three in the list above show that I was very happy with that stop.

I’m pretty sure that Soave was the wine at our wedding. I don't remember anything about it (the wine, that is), but I suspect that Monday’s 2023 Pieropan Soave Classico would be a step or two above. Vinho Verde was also fairly popular back in the day, but that, too, was overproduced and underwhelming. Not so with the 2023 Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde Loureiro/Alvarinho. 

And then there was Muscadet, mostly bought as a bottom-shelf wine in Breton supermarkets at eight or nine francs, not euros! But we learned as we drank and soon moved up a shelf or two and picked those bottles with the important words Sur Lie on the labels—just like Monday’s delicious 2023 Château du Coing de St. Fiacre `Confluentia` Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie.

Some impressive wines from the islands, especially Tinpot Hut Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the red and white of Le Bois du Cerf and also the Grenache from Bantu, both Sardinian. 

Always a sweet finish at a tasting like this, and on this occasion, a sip or two of the gorgeous 2022 Château Laville Sauternes did the business!