Paumanok Prestige Cuvée 2012, North Fork of Long Island, New York State, USA (£18.49 Laithwaites) This smells like 10-year-old, mid-price red Bordeaux, with its gentle, slightly leafy blackcurrant and berry flavours. It tastes a bit younger, with a sweet, almost cola-like edge to the fruit, a lightly briny note, and […]
Simon
Hoffmann + Rathbone Bacchus 2015, Kent, England (£19 from the vineyard) Tender young wine that combines Sauvignon-esque aromas and flavours – elderflower, citrus, herb, blackcurrant leaf – with richer, more exotic ginger notes. Quite rich in texture, despite the low alcohol, very tasty debut vintage. S(-)
Hoffmann + Rathbone Bacchus 2015, Kent, England
Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel 2013, California (£19.49 Partridges of Sloane Street, Remarkable Wines, Mr and Mrs Fine Wine, Italian Continental Stores, Telford Wines, SH Jones, Thomas Peatling, Wadebridge Wines, Aged in Oak, Vin de Bordeaux, Soho Wine Supply) Just what Zinfandel should be, with that balance between bold, ever-so-slightly jammy/baked […]
Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel 2013, California
Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut 2013, France (£11.99 Ocado) Curious but not unattractive mix of lush, sherbetty strawberry character with more bracing, pithy citrus acidity. Perhaps too sharp to drink by itself, but wouldn’t mind it with some seafood. B Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Réserve NV, France (£26.99 widely available) Manages […]
Sparkling French wines from Bordeaux & Champagne
El Recurso Vineyard Block 18 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo, Chile (£12 Tesco) Excellent young Cab with plump but vibrant cassis flavour, overtones of tar and freshly-turned earth, and a lovely texture with ripe tannins that are going to keep the wine in fine fettle for at least another five years. […]
El Recurso Vineyard Block 18 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Maipo, Chile
Bit of a bargain this one, lovely by itself, but would be great with fruit puddings and blue cheeses too Domaine des Forges Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Chaume 2011, Loire, France (£8.99 per half Waitrose) Unctuous but fresh style, like liquid tarte tatin, with hints of lemon curd and stewed […]