A tasting of two halves… Aquitania Carmenère Reserva 2013, Maipo, Chile (£9.95 Winety – looks like I got the price wrong on the video) The more elegant end of the Carmenère spectrum, just the right side of jammy, this has lightly spicy blackcurrant and blackberry flavours joined by a note of […]
Monthly Archives: December 2014
If you’d asked me in advance which of these would be my favourites, I don’t think I’d have been too close… Sol de Sol Pinot Noir 2010, Malleco, Chile (£19.95 Winety) Very impressive wine, lithe and fragrant, with a fresh and lightly cooked strawberry edge, s touch of leafy eucalyptus […]
Pinot Noir from Chile, Australia, California & New Zealand
A big name in mouth-watering form… Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand (~£20 widely available) Sprightly wine, classic Spring flavours – cut grass, taut citrus tang, a touch of herbs – then fleshier rhubarb and passionfruit notes break through, but there’s always this spine of zesty acidity plus […]
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand
A wine that will divide opinions Champ Divin Pollux Côtes du Jura 2009, France (£17.20 Tanners) An assault on the senses, almost like a cross between plump Chardonnay and cider that has then been infused with lots of briny/yeasty character, along with nuances of herbs and fennel. Intriguing, certainly, but […]
Champ Divin Pollux Côtes du Jura 2009, France
Three different Chardonnays, three different countries, three different styles… Champ Divin Côtes du Jura Chardonnay 2013, France (£15.60 Tanners) Sets precise citrus fruit against muskier pineapple and hazelnut flavours, and adds is flor-like élevage elements for good measure. Lovely fresh, complex style, shames many similarly-priced Burgundies. S Torres Gran Viña Sol […]
Chardonnays from Jura, Spain & Chile
Marlborough Sauvignon, but not as we know it… Brancott Estate Sauvignon Gris 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand (£10.49 Tesco, Asda, Ocado) Has some of the crisp lemon and lime character of Sauvignon Blanc, but instead of the ‘green’ flavours – cut grass, herbs etc – there’s muskier pear and peach notes. […]