Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo Reserva 2008 (£25 The Real Wine Company) Kicks off with a creamy, smoky bacon oak edge, then the plummy savoury berry and blackcurrant fruit kicks in, with earthy spice overtones to add interest. Also has a note of violets, but I just wished […]
Simon
Alain Grignon Cuvée Chasseur 2010, Vin de France (£4.29 Waitrose) Smells decent, like a slightly leafy Bordeaux propped up with a draught of the warm south, but while the blackcurrant and blackberry flavours are reasonable, it would be far better without that touch of sweetness. C+ Parducci Zinfandel 2009, Mendocino […]
Wine Tasting Video: Spicy reds from France, California & Australia
Adega de Monção, Vinho Verde, 2010, Portugal (was £5.95 The Wine Society) Quite a lot of Alka-Seltzer-like spritz and saltiness, with a touch of sherbet to go alongside the tight, lean apple & pear flavours, bring on the oily fish. B(+) Crasto Douro Branco 2010, Portugal (£8.95 The Wine Society) […]
Wine Tasting Video: Five Portuguese Whites
El Patito Feo Graciano Roble 2009, Navarra, Spain (£8.99 Virgin Wines) Slightly boisterous youngster at the present, but calms down to show pure, plush blueberry and blackberry flesh, a fresher raspberry edge, notes of clove and new leather, and a warm dusty finish. B+ Tesco Finest* Viña Mara Rioja Reserva, […]
Wine Tasting Video: Spanish reds from Rioja, Navarra & Penedes
Casillero del Diablo Brut Reserva NV, Limarí, Chile (£7-11 Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco.com, yourfavouritewines.com) Rather classy fizz, quite full in flavour with hints of apple crumble and a toffee-ish richness, but then a seam of minerality and zesty acidity kicks in, ripe but refined, great value. S- Miguel Torres Pinot […]
Wine Tasting Video: Sparkling wines from Chile, England, New Zealand ...
Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2010, Rapel, Chile (£6-£8 widely available) Quite a flashy, fleshy style, with rich ripe blackcurrant and blackberry plus touches of vanilla, but there’s also a more restrained leafy, cedary edge to add some freshness. B+ Groote Post Merlot 2010, Darling, South Africa (£11-13 Francis Fine Wines, […]