McLaren Vale

Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache 2014, Barossa, Australia (£11-14 Morrisons, Co-op, Tesco, Flagship Wines) Pale but interesting, with light mint and herb notes pepping up sprightly red berry flavours, and with a savoury edge to its juicy, friendly finish. S(-) Wirra Wirra The Absconder Grenache 2014, McLaren Vale, Australia (~£40) […]

Two South Australian Grenaches

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Viña Real Rioja Crianza 2011, Spain (£11.05 Lea & Sandeman Company Ltd, Fortnum and Mason Plc, Cranbrook Wines, D.Byrne & Co, Ann et Vin Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, York Wines, Pimlico Dozen Ltd, Field and Fawcett, Cheers Wine Merchants, Wino’s Ltd, Bin 21 Limited, The Clifton Cellars, The Drinkshop.com Ltd, Dickens […]

Five Tempranillos (-ish) from Spain & Australia

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Clefs du Pontif Grenache/Syrah Pays d’Oc 2014, Languedoc, France (£9.99 Averys) Young, crunchy wine, juicy berry and plum with a hint of spice, I can’t fault its intensity, but it just feels a bit correct, too ‘made’. C+ Ess & See Mataro 2013, McLaren Vale, Australia (£15.99 Virgin Wines) Boisterous […]

Spicy Reds from the Languedoc & Australia

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And still another of the catch-up-on-tasting-notes posts (see intro HERE if that doesn’t make sense) Cantina Bolzano Eisacktaler Isarco Silvaner 2011, Alto Adige, Italy (£10.20 Mondial Wine) There are some apricot and ripe citrus flavours here, but it’s one of those wines where fruit takes second place to other characters. It reminds […]

An assortment of whites plus a lone rosé from Italy, ...

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Another of the catch-up-on-tasting-notes posts (see intro HERE if that doesn’t make sense) Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2010, Australia (£17.99, John Kelly Wines, Hailsham, Lewis and Cooper, Harrods, Polygon Wines) Has that peppery savoury style, cool but rich in flavour, with a primitive earthy feel to it, like it’s been […]

Three big (and beautiful) Australian reds

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