Monthly Archives: December 2016


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 […]

Three wines from the Loire Valley, France





Ramos Pinto LBV Port 2011, Douro, Portugal (~£19 widely available) LBV is supposed to be ready to drink on release, but this is a bit of a pup, and seems to be built to survive another decade or more. Dark, young and juicy, packed with blackberry, blackcurrant and damson flavours, […]

Ramos Pinto LBV 2011 + Some Wine Gadgets