Fine wine event - May 2015

One of the things I love about my job is that I get to try a wide variety of very good wines from across the globe on a daily basis. The thing I love most, however, are the occasions where I'm able to taste those great wines which make up the modern oenophile's zeitgeist. Yesterday evening was one such occasion, and I've compiled some tasting notes of my top five wines of the evening. If you're feeling flush and fancy a treat, you could do far worse than snapping up one of these excellent wines.

1) Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough

A big name, yes, but don't let that put you off: this is a properly good New Zealand Sauvignon of real depth and finesse. A delicate, almost transparent appearance betrays the expressive tropical fruit notes on the nose, complete with a secondary stony/flinty character too. The palate is medium-bodied and plush, with more passion fruit and guava characteristics, and rounded off with a lovely taut mineral finish.

2) Olivier Leflaive St Aubin 1er Cru 2011, Le Charmois

If you like your Montrachet but haven't recently won the lottery, a great value alternative is St Aubin. From one of the biggest négociants in Burgundy, this Olivier Leflaive Charmois is a fantastic example of the diversity of Chardonnay in the region's numerous crus. Shy on the nose with notes of toasted fruit and roasted apricot, this wine drinks exceptionally well, with stone fruits and hints of vanilla on the soft, generous palate.

3) Lime Rock Kota Pinot Noir 2010, Hawke's Bay

As New Zealand's prominence in the fine wine world grows, so too does the number of superb offerings from this fantastic wine-growing nation. Situated in the North Island, this Hawke's Bay Pinot Noir from Lime Rock is just one example of why the country's reputation is thoroughly deserved. The wine offers aromas of sweet spice and tea leaf along with a slightly raisined character, and follows through with an abundance of redcurrants on the palate. Top stuff.

4) Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2011, Tuscany

Ornellaia is a relatively young wine producer which is best known for its Super Tuscan wines, the eponymous 'Ornellaia' and their excellent second wine 'Le Serre Nuove'. Their entry-level 'Le Volte' wine is also one that commands great respect, despite it being made in a more approachable, early-drinking style. Merlot-dominated with Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon thrown in for good measure, Le Volte is immediately recognisable as Italian with its intense plummy, raisiny, grapeskin aromas. The palate is well-balanced and supple, with fine-grained tannins and an intense richness of flavour. Grab a hunk of Parmesan and enjoy!

5) Château Montviel 2004, Pomerol

Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum. Everyone loves a great claret don't they? A fully mature example of a 2004 Pomerol, with an incredibly complex nose of red fruits, creamy oak, dried herbs and cigar box. The palate is equally expressive, with additional flavours of liquorice, cedar and nutskin. Made from 30 year old vines, this is a superbly balanced Bordeaux which you could happily spend an entire evening mulling over. A fabulous, fabulous wine.