Fabre Montmayou Reservado Cabernet Franc 2015, Mendoza, Argentina (£15.99 Laithwaites) I don’t mind the cocoa-dusted dark berry and blackcurrant flavours and light leafy character, but it’s a little too controlled for my liking, with not enough of the Cab Franc fragrance. I thought it might open up with time but […]
Mendoza
April 17th is Malbec World Day (yes, that’s what the organisers call it, no idea why, imagine if we had Book World Day). So to get the party started, a varietal Malbec, plus a Malbec-heavy blend. Doña Paula ‘Paula’ Malbec 2017, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (£9.99 Spirited Wines, strictlywine.co.uk) […]
In celebration of Malbec World Day 2018…
…beginning in Portugal Quinta Nova Reserva Terroir Blend 2015, Douro, Portugal (£16.48 Portugal Vineyards) Smells like a port winery at vintage time, the air thick with heady aromas of berries, cassis, violet and herbs, buoyant, spicy dark fruit flavours in abundance and a backbone of citrus freshness and ripe tannin […]
A mixed bag of reds from around the world…
Viñalba Malbec Bonarda 2016, Mendoza, Argentina (£9.99/£7.99 mixed 6 Majestic) Alluring, savoury, fragrant style, almost with a Pinot Noir-like character, with its sweet plummy attack and wild hedgerow fruit, lovely texture with a light briny edge to the finish. Great value. S- Clos de los Siete 2013, Mendoza, Argentina (£15.75-£16 […]
Two Argentine red blends
Grattamacco Bolgheri Vermentino 2014, Tuscany, Italy (£25 Laithwaites) Rich and juicy but always vibrant, with pithy lemon and rounder muskier pear fruit joined by notes of herbs and pine, and a tense finish to hold it all together. Very good. S Cave de Turckheim Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Brand 2011, Alsace, […]
Assorted Aromatic Whites from Italy, France & Argentina
Viñalba Reserve Malbec/Touriga Nacional 2014, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (£12.99/£9.99 mixed 6 Majestic) There’s a warm, dusty spicy edge to the dark, plummy fruit, but while the flavours are welcoming and generous, and there’s some leafy freshness, there’s also a slightly jammy edge and a hint of dry tannins, […]