Famille Bougrier Sancerre 2013, Loire, France (£13.50 Oddbins) There’s an almost Chablis-like chalky/flinty edge to the citrus-tinged melon flavours, plus a touch of nettles, but while it’s decent enough, it tails off on the finish. B- Domaine Seguin Pouilly-Fumé 2014, Loire, France (£14.95 Lea & Sandeman) Bright, sappy style, with […]
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If only all sub-£10 Bordeaux was as good as this… Château Moulin des Richards Côtes de Bourg Cuvée Prestige 2011, Bordeaux, France (£8.45 From Vineyards Direct) Showing some plum jam maturity, but still very much alive, with rich, curranty berry and plum flavours, and an honest earthy finish. Yes, there’s […]
Château Moulin des Richards Côtes de Bourg Cuvée Prestige 2011
Really like both of these, although they’re quite different – go for the first if you want fruit impact, the second if you prefer more minerally aspects Emile Balland ‘Les Beaux Jours’ Coteaux du Giennois 2014, Loire, France (£12.99 Oxford Wine Company) Lots of flavour here, with gooseberries & blackcurrant […]
Two Sauvignons from lesser-known parts of the Loire
I thought the idea of Gran Reserva was that the wines had mellowed through the 5+ years of aging. Not this one… Ramón Bilbao Rioja Gran Reserva 2008, Spain (£14.95-£16.95 Hercules Wine Warehouse, Noel Young, Sandhams, The Wine Reserve, Concept Fine Wines) Still a pup, with oak coming through strongly […]
Ramón Bilbao Rioja Gran Reserva 2008, Spain
Simonnet-Febvre Irancy 2013, Burgundy, France (£14 Marks and Spencer) Hmm, almonds & strawberry jam, red wine isn’t supposed to smell like Battenberg. Possibly an oxidised bottle? Certainly not good on this showing. 0 La Tour de Brully Mercurey ‘Champ-Pillot’ 2013, Burgundy, France (£14.95 From Vineyards Direct) Much more like it, […]
Two Red Burgundies
Domaine de l’Ermitage Menetou-Salon Blanc 2014, Loire, France (£12.95 From Vineyards Direct) Really grown-up style of Sauvignon, fruity with lemon, apple and greengage to the fore, but also herby/earthy restraint, and keen sappy bite to the finish. S- Aotea Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Nelson, New Zealand (£15 Flagship Wines, Aged in […]