Lamblin Chablis Fourchaumes 2010

This Chablis is from a lovely vintage and a very well rated premier cru. Fourchaumes is one of the better crus to start with after trying a few village Chablis - it doesn't break the bank, drinks fairly well early, and usually shows that extra depth of minerality that you don't get so much in the village wines. But this particular one is a step beyond. Maybe I just opened it at the perfect moment, but this is one of the best wines I have had all year.

It's powerful nose is intoxicating enough - green apples, sage, cinnamon, even a little green mango, but what gets me most is the finish. After a mouth-filling, slightly creamy and intensely peachy middle, it stretches into a generous seam of lime, saline, honeysuckle and minerals that just keeps on going and going until it reaches throughout your entire nervous system. Oh my god - weak at the knees stuff, you can taste it even a minute after you've swallowed it. Now, I know I bought it at Duty Free in the Airport, and I can tell you that the price should be about 200AED, but I'm pretty sure it's quite a bit less. You might even pick it up in the UK for just over 20 quid.

Drink Now or save for 4 years +
170AED (approx - sorry, I forgot!)
18.5/20

Duval-Leroy Brut NV

This Champagne is far too cheap. It's only 2/3 the price of Moet and yet its better - well, it is for those who like a richer style of fizz anyway. It's a very complex champagne, and delivers all round. Nose is almonds, apples and honey. Front palate bursts with red delicious and burnt sugar, middle palate is toasty with hints of redcurrant and gorgeously round. The finish is long, and spicy like a figgy pudding. It's a fantastic aperetif, being a meal in itself, yet its fullness means it will even deliver with a fruit and pastry based dessert like tarte tartin. Bargain Champagne. Also comes in 3 x 200ml packs at Dubai duty free for emergency Oh-God-I need-a-good-wine-in-my-lonliness moments.


Drink now or for 2 years
145AED + Tax (purchased at a duty free outlet)
16.5/20


PS - pronunciation is doo val lair hwah

Cattier Premier Cru Brut Rose NV

One of the least expensive rose champagnes on a Dubai shelf. And dirham wise, for a pink champers it does well. Strawberries and cream style up front, bursting with flavour, then tapering (possibly a little to quickly) to some toast and molasses development. Finish a little short, but its  nice and dry. The lack of complexity and length mixed with the oomphy front palate and bargain price is a trade off that essentially ends in value. At under 200aed this is a fab celebratory wine, especially for those who are considering the choice between big brand blanc brut and a cheaper rose.

Drink now
14/20
175AED + tax (purchased at duty free outlet)