Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Margaret River, Australia (£15.99-£18.99 Domaine Direct, Fortnum & Mason, Highbury Vintners, House of Menzies, Luvians Bottle Shop, Uncorked, Winedirect) Quite light in body but full of flavour – smoky, nutty tinned pear, like Bordeaux Sauvignon, plus tangy, flinty Loire-like gooseberry character. Crisp but luscious, […]
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Asda Extra Special Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand (£9.20 Asda) Appealing and refreshing young Pinot, with juicy red berry, cherry and plum flesh, a hint of tomato some smoky oak and a silky finish. Maybe a touch simple but very gluggable. B(+) Crossroads Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand […]
Beaujolais, New Zealand Pinot Noir & South African Pinotage
Hartenberg Merlot 2007, Stellenbosch (£17.50 Waitrose, D Byrne, Lea & Sandeman, Noel Young, The Vineyard, Cooden Cellars) There’s some juicy blackberry and blackcurrant flesh, but more dominant is the classic South African baked-on berries and woodsmoke, OK but lacks bounce and freshness. B- Engelbrecht Els Proprietor’s Blend 2007, Stellenbosch (£20.99-£21.99 […]
South African reds, including a trio from Ernie Els
Riccardo Prosecco Treviso Brut NV, Veneto, Italy (£15 Gastronomica Pimlico) A nice tension between tangy and tender, with crisp green apple flavours (like apple foam), floral notes and some honey, not hugely complex but dry and satisfying. B(+) Riccardo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy (£20 Gastronomica Pimlico) […]
Prosecco & Port – why not? They both begin with ...
La Différence Carignan 2009, IGP Pays des Côtes Catalanes (£5.99 Tesco) Yum! A wine at an everyday price that packs in the personality. Has the classic peppery violet freshness of Carignan, but there’s more juicy flesh here than normal, bold berry flesh with that fragrant grape must smell of a […]
Roussillon reds, including the best value wine I’ve had all ...
Washington Hills Merlot 2008, Columbia Valley (£6.49 The Co-op) Overripe with rather hard baked blackberry character, concentrated but overdone, should have been picked earlier and made with less force. C(-) Powers Merlot 2006, Columbia Valley (£10.99 – £11.49 Handford Wines, Wines of the World, Bottle Apostle, Hennings Wines, Rodney Densem, […]