Calvet Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Bordeaux, France (£6.49 Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose) Crisp zesty young wine, with refreshing grapefruit and lemon flavours plus a slightly ripe nectarine edge, and a touch lemon-grass herbiness. B(+) McHenry Hohnen Semillon Sauvignon 2010, Margaret River, Australia (£11.99 – £12.99 Bablake Wines, The City […]
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Barbeito Single Harvest Meio Seco 2000 (£19 per 50cl Butlers Wine Cellar, Amps Fine Wines, Selfridges, Uncorked, Reserve Wines) Fresh and remarkably young for an 11-year-old, although this is quite dry (not bone dry), it’s almost Muscat-y, with a grapey/barley sugar character, gentle toasty nuttiness and something peaty almost like […]
Wine Tasting Video: Five Madeiras
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Reserva 2008 (£25 The Real Wine Company) Kicks off with a creamy, smoky bacon oak edge, then the plummy savoury berry and blackcurrant fruit kicks in, with earthy spice overtones to add interest. Also has a note of violets, but I just wished […]
Wine Tasting Video: Three Douro reds from Quinta Nova de ...
Alain Grignon Cuvée Chasseur 2010, Vin de France (£4.29 Waitrose) Smells decent, like a slightly leafy Bordeaux propped up with a draught of the warm south, but while the blackcurrant and blackberry flavours are reasonable, it would be far better without that touch of sweetness. C+ Parducci Zinfandel 2009, Mendocino […]
Wine Tasting Video: Spicy reds from France, California & Australia
Adega de Monção, Vinho Verde, 2010, Portugal (was £5.95 The Wine Society) Quite a lot of Alka-Seltzer-like spritz and saltiness, with a touch of sherbet to go alongside the tight, lean apple & pear flavours, bring on the oily fish. B(+) Crasto Douro Branco 2010, Portugal (£8.95 The Wine Society) […]
Wine Tasting Video: Five Portuguese Whites
El Patito Feo Graciano Roble 2009, Navarra, Spain (£8.99 Virgin Wines) Slightly boisterous youngster at the present, but calms down to show pure, plush blueberry and blackberry flesh, a fresher raspberry edge, notes of clove and new leather, and a warm dusty finish. B+ Tesco Finest* Viña Mara Rioja Reserva, […]