Lammershoek LAM 2010 was a barrel sample from Paardeberg, South Africa, and is a rather strange blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier. My preconception was that such a blend could not possibly work. Yet it did. No oak aromatics that I coud see; instead minerals, appley fruit, some floral fireworks; rich but with good acidity and raciness. A very substantial wine, so I was surprised that it only has 12,5% abv. I also thought that Lammershoek was in one of the warmer areas of SA (Keith?), so I was surprised that they could make a rich, but so wonderfully acidic wine with low alcohol and no signs that it would be lacking in ripeness. Nice. I very much want to try the finished product.
Domaine Giachino Primitivo 2009 is from the Savoie and is made from the Jacquère-grape. Unchaptalized and only 9,2% abv, but fully dry. Smells a bit like Sauvignon Blanc, citric and slightly green, very mineral; delightfully light yet supremely intense in its citric flavours. A little bit an extreme wine, but enchanting in its harsh purity.
Čotar Malvazia 2003 from Kras, Slovenia. I've written about this wine so many times, I shouldn't bother with one more note. But it is lovely, shows no signs of the heatwave, is moreish, well structured (with tannins, too - it is "orange" wine). It is earthy and smells of orange; it is an easy version of the Muster Erde; a gateway drug to more funky orange wines.
Dettori Bianco 2006 is a Vermentino di Sardegna, a lovely orange wine, also earthy and very appley, it reminded me a bit of that really funky Spanich Basque Cider I once tried. Tannic, delightfully grippy, layered and extremely moreish. It never ceases to amaze me how these oxidative "orange" wines are so refreshing and moreish - I wish my descriptions would reflect that more, since they mostly read like they are hard to drink!
