Last week our group had a special dinner arranged for us at the Anvaya Beach and Nature Club, about two hours northwest of Manila, just outside the former US Navy base at Subic. With the summer heat in the city, it was a good excuse to get some R & R. The menu had a lot of seafood so mostly white wines were opened.
Yarra Burn Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier Sparkling 2005 - Very nice, fresh and lemony with a slightly smoky finish. Good complexity provided by a slight yeastiness. Very good.
Valformosa Cava "Carla" NV - Rather large bubbles. Deep flavor. Coffeeish. Lemon rind. This has a bit of weight to it. Excellent.
Dr. Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Kabinett 2006 - Grapey, green apple. Friendly, sweet, easy wine.
Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay 2002 - Not much on the nose. Well-judged use of oak. Gently spicy. Acidity on the finish. A rather subdued wine. Previous examples seemed much better.
Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay 2004 - Fresh, flavorful. Yellow fruits - pineapple and mango with a citrussy edge. Good balance. Needs time to calm down as it seems a bit aggresive.
Migration Pinot Noir 2005 - Berry nose, sweet fruit. A little bitter in the finish. Good.
Marques de Vargas Rioja 2003 - Tannic. Young. Dried fruit and leather. Needs lots of time to tame the tannins but the fruit may not last.
Carmes de Rieussec 2003 - Classic Sauternes nose. Burnt sugar, pineapple. On the lightish side but still, very good.