Simon Woods

Drinking Outside The Box

Recent Posts

Château de l’Abbaye de Saint-Ferme Bordeaux Supérieur 2010, France (£10.95 From Vineyards Direct) Mellow mature Bordeaux red, not massively complex, but then it’s not a sexy appellation. But this scores for its plush (Victoria) plummy berry and bramble flavours, gentle cedary spice notes and light roasted character. Excellent value. S(-)

Château de l’Abbaye de Saint-Ferme Bordeaux Supérieur 2010, France

November 9, 2017 by Simon

Not yer average bottles, so are these not yer average wines…? Freixenet Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy (£12 Ocado) Gentle, friendly style with a toffee-like edge to the ripe green apple and pumice-stone flavours, not massively complex, but slips down easily. B Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Réserve “Floral Sleeve” NV, France […]

Can you, should you judge a wine by its cover?

November 6, 2017 by Simon

Don’t let the screen-shot put you off, this is tasty wine… Alain Voge Saint-Péray ‘Harmonie’ 2015, Rhône, France (£18.60 Cru) One of those wines that’s not immediately fruity, although it has some nectarine/peach character, but where textural, salty, nutty and creamy notes are more to the fore – reminds me […]

Alain Voge Saint-Péray ‘Harmonie’ 2015, Rhône, France

November 3, 2017 by Simon

Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Rosso 2015, Tuscany, Italy (~£35-£40 see Wine Searcher) Very alluring, almost voluptuous style, but alongside the plush plummy berry and blackcurrant flavours, there are notes of herbs and tar, along with a backbone of quite firm tannin that will keep it in good condition for […]

Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Rosso 2015, Tuscany, Italy

October 31, 2017 by Simon

Not much more expensive than the regular Canard-Duchêne, and a major step up in quality Champagne Canard-Duchêne Parcelle 181 Extra Brut NV, France (£37.99 Champagne One, Champagnes and Chateaux) Fresh, elegant style, dainty on its feet, with notes of fresh and crystallised pineapple and a hint of orange peel set […]

Champagne Canard-Duchêne Parcelle 181 Extra Brut NV, France

October 20, 2017 by Simon

Grand Mayne Côtes de Duras Moelleux 2012, South West France (€13.50 per half Grand Mayne) Golden in colour, with unctuous, creamy aromas of honey, toast, apricots and pineapple. When you come to taste it, it’s not as rich as you expect, with zippy citrus and guava freshness alongside the fleshier […]

Grand Mayne Côtes de Duras Moelleux 2012, South West France

October 16, 2017 by Simon