Secret de Viu Manent Viognier 2014, Colchagua, Chile (£11.49 Amps Fine Wines, Bon Coeur Fine Wines, Flagship Wines, Haywood Wines, Jeeves and Johnson Emporium, The Shenfield Wine Company, The Wine Chambers, Weavers of Nottingham) A wine that grew on me. Initially seemed a little light, with taut citrus acidity and […]
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Les Songeurs Cabernet Franc 2015, Pays d’Oc, France (£10.49 Laithwaites) I like the sweet blackcurrant and blackberry flavours, and the leafy-fresh fragrance and tar-like character of Cab Franc, but there’s too much of an oak imprint (with a green edge too) for it to be a real success, and this […]
Les Songeurs Cabernet Franc 2015, Pays d’Oc, France
Craft 3 Chenin Blanc 2016, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£10 Marks & Spencer) Takes a while to open up but the wait is worth it. There’s a slightly smoky note from oak, a floral freshness with headier, musky honeysuckle and honey notes, and a core of ripe apple and pear, […]
Craft 3 Chenin Blanc 2016, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Castèllo Solicchìata 2011, Sicilia, Italy (£22 Laithwaites) Slightly rustic volatile aroma initially but this diminishes with time to show Morello cherry and blackcurrant flavours pepped up with hints of tar and leafy tobacco. Fresh finish, but there’s a slightly dry, raisinny feel, as if some of the grape were a […]
Castèllo Solicchìata 2011, Sicilia, Italy
Altaïr Sideral 2014, Cachapoal, Chile (£20 Hanging Ditch) Desperately young wine, very Chilean in its blackcurrant intensity, and with the imprint of new oak still to the fore, but behind the currently shouty youthful flavours, there are notes of spice, tobacco and herbs, and enough of a backbone to support […]
Altaïr Sideral 2014, Cachapoal, Chile
La Grille Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Loire Valley, France (£8 Majestic) Brisk, bracing style, tangy citrus fruit pepped up by hints of herbs and elderflower, with a light ‘feline’ edge adding further interest – in a good way… B(-) Masson Blondelet Pouilly Fumé 2015, Loire, France (£15.99 Ocado) The richness […]