Quinta Nova Pomares Moscatel Galego Branco 2016, Douro, Portugal (see Wine Searcher for stockists) Combines tangy grapefruit and grape characters with a slightly candied rose petal note to good effect. Soft generous flavours, but enough of a pithy edge to hold them in balance. B+
Simon
Kayra Narince 2015, Tokat, Turkey (£12.50-£14 Strictly Wine, Eton Vintners, Great Wines Direct, Novel Wines) Confident young wine, with an earthy, almost volcanic character in there with the floral, spicy aromas and sappy pink grapefruit and pear flavours. Quite weighty despite the 11.5% alcohol, with a dry and refreshing finish. […]
Kayra Narince 2015, Tokat, Turkey
Château d’Esclans Déesse Astrée Côtes de Provence Blanc 2015, France (see Wine Searcher for price & stockists) Lovely rich but fresh style, showing the typical pine/herb citrus edge of Vermentino/Rolle alongside bolder ripe pear and passionfruit flavours, with a touch of slightly dough-like cake mix in there too. Very tasty […]
Château d’Esclans Déesse Astrée Côtes de Provence Blanc 2015, France
Sendiäna Grand Vin 2014, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon (N/A in the UK) There’s an exotic spicy note alongside the rich, rounded, plummy berry character, but there’s also a smoky/charred vanilla edge plus a touch of raw tannin – overtoasting of not the very best oak maybe? Good in parts… B-
Sendiäna Grand Vin 2014, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Blind Spot Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2016, Yarra Valley, Australia (£10.95 The Wine Society) Pale and gentle, with a herbal-scented rose hip character alongside the fresh and lightly cooked strawberry flavours, fresh but persistent, could happily take a light chill on a summer day. S- Santa Rita ‘National Gallery’ Pinot […]
Two affordable Pinot Noirs from Chile & Australia
Errázuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Aconcagua Valley, Chile (£14.75 Waitrose, Vino Wines, Hailsham Cellars, Partridges, Village Wines) Rounded and full but with a herbal freshness, this packs in plump, plummy berry and cassis flavours with a hint of eartniness and a touch of smoky oak, yet manages somehow to […]