Yearly Archives: 2014



Château des Sarrins Côtes de Provence Rosé 2013, France (£15.99 Bibendum, TheDrinkShop.com) A previous bottle of this was extremely awkward and pongy, like it was having a really bad hair day (see here). This one – tasted just a fortnight later – was better. There’s still a light sulphury whiff […]

Three Rosés from Provence, Chile & Portugal


Bit of a bargain… Tagus Creek Shiraz/Trincadeira 2012, Alentejo, Portugal (£4.50 Asda Direct) I think of Trincadeira as being a bit like Carignan, and here, it gives similar peppery violet and blackcurrant notes to the sweet berry-roundness of Shiraz, with a note of vanilla making its presence felt too. B+

Tagus Creek Shiraz/Trincadeira 2012, Alentejo, Portugal



As of course you know, Caracal is another name for the desert lynx… Neethlingshof The Caracal 2011, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£14.99 Majestic) Intense and fruity, with slightly stewed dark berry and blackcurrant flesh lifted by floral aromas and a herbal note. Some toasty/cedary oaky influence, but it’s in balance with […]

Neethlingshof The Caracal 2011, Stellenbosch, South Africa


Sturdy fare from a country whose wines we rarely see… Stobi Vranec Classic 2011, Tikves, Macedonia (£10-11 Cornelius Wines, Cork & Cask, Wine Rack, House of Townend, Turton Wines, North Coast Wine Co) Deep in colour, and stuffed with dark fleshy berry and kirsch flavours. Also packs in notes of […]

Stobi Vranec Classic 2011, Tikves, Macedonia


Best region in Spain for white wine – Rueda, Rías Baixas or Valdeorras? Or somewhere else?? Vetus ‘Flor de Vetus’ Verdejo 2013, Rueda, Spain (£11.99 Meat, The Wine Reserve, Charlie Crown, Grape & Grind, Scarlet Wines, The Jolly Vintner Too, Shaftesbury Wines, The Cellar at Clevedon, Woodford Wine Room, Loki, […]

Vetus ‘Flor de Vetus’ Verdejo 2013, Rueda, Spain