New wines for the new season

Martin Pilat has been the sommelier at Bacchus for the past five years, having reinvented the restaurant’s wine list to be one of the island’s best – it has received the coveted Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence every year since 2007.

Born in Austria in 1976 and after graduating high school, Martin continued his education at the Hotel Academy in Austria for four years before completing his National Service in the Austrian military. Martin then pursued his career throughout Europe, working in top class hotel establishments in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. He gained a love for the sea during his two year employment on a luxury German yacht.

Martin arrived in Cayman 2002 and worked as head sommelier at Grand Old House for two years before moving to Bacchus just five days before Hurricane Ivan wreaked havoc on the Island.

Planeta Cometa 2007

This is 100 per cent Fiano, an indigenous Sicilian variety. It has gloriously open fruit on the nose, with a rich, crystalline, pear-like character. The palate is also hugely distinctive, with flavours of white flower petals, pears, apricots and acacia. Even a hint of lychee, I fancy, backed up by nice acidity and minerals. This is a delicious wine which will please many.

Loimer “Lenz” Riesling

Amazing quality for the price!! Fresh, vibrant, zingy acidity and minerality that make it super refreshing.  The addition of 10 per cent Muskateller adds just the slightest hint of residual sugar to qualify this wine sweeter than ‘bone dry’ but drier than ‘off-dry’.  Aromatic stone fruits with mild citrus and quince. Great balance. Works great with shellfish and seafood and will go with summer-themed salads that have a little spice.    Great value considering this is his bottom of the line Riesling. I like it better than his more expensive Riesling from Kamptal!

Cloudy Bay Pelorus

Sparkling 2005

Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. Medium to full bodied. Fruit forward with mild yeasty notes a la the old world. This is a well made and great value bottle of bubbles. Can hold its own with many mid-range champagnes. Mild lemon/tangerine notes mixed with soft green apple and melon.  

Spice Route “Chakalaka” 2008

Amazing blend of Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre, Sazao, Carignan and Petit Sirah. Only the second year this wine has been made. The first vintage sold out 100 per cent due to tons of traction in the US market. Full bodied but with ripe, juicy firm fruits. Rich dark fruits of blackberry and black cherry, along with well integrated spice and black pepper. Tannin and fruit are in such great balance that the wine drinks very well right now (as a 2008) though it will probably be superb with a few years in cellar. It’s big but very high quality considering the price.

Terrunyo Carmenere

Any red wine fan (except maybe a Shiraz drinker) should love this wine. Soft, fleshy fruits dominate and make this wine super smooth from start to finish. Has a gorgeous purple/violet hue in the glass...this wine even LOOKS beautiful! The way I love to describe this wine in short is: “Big, but sexy”!! It has body (they blend some Cabernet Sauvignon into it) and structure but it is silky smooth. Red and black berries mixed with very slight cocoa essence.

Abadia Retuerta

“Seleccion Especial” 2006

I love to turn people on to this who are looking for Rioja. From Sardon del Duero. 80 per cent Tempranillo. Balance made up of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This is almost made in a new world style with ripe fruit on the front and mid palate and tannins that provide awesome structure without overpowering and adding too much grip. Good extraction. Raspberries, under ripe strawberries, black cherries, currant with subtle hints of earth and vanilla. Super smooth finish.