Chile


Just getting to the end of a fascinating week in Napa Valley. Was at Bond winery last night for a superb farewell meal prepared by team from the now-3-starred restaurant at Meadowood Resort with accompanying wines from Schramsberg, Clos du Val, Silver Oak, Rubicon and of course Bond. After our […]

It’s Carmenère, but it’s not from Chile…


Last of the manky videos…my Fuji HS10 rules from now onwards McHenry Hohnen 3 Amigos Shiraz/Grenache/Mataro 2007, Margaret River, Australia (~£12.50 Oddbins, Wine Rack, Adnams, Bablake Wines, The City Beverage Co, Constantine Stores, Flourish and Prosper, The General Wine Co, Quaff Fine Wines, Handford Wines, Willoughbys Wine Warehouse, Milford Wine […]

Spicy Reds from Chile, Australia & South Africa


Hacienda Araucano Syrah Reserva 2009, Lolol Valley, Chile (N/A in UK) Delicious gluggable youngster, unhampered by oak, awash with bouncy bramble and berry, flesh, with a finish that combines notes of pepper, spice and herbs with a charred character. You could almost chill this. S- Mont Tauch Fitou Terroir d’Altitude […]

Zinfandel, Fitou and Southern Hemisphere Syrah/Shiraz




Recorded with unjustified optimism before the England v US game… Montana Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, New Zealand (£7.99 Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s Morrisons, Asda) Refined, quite elegant style for Marlborough, with a lean stony character to the citrus and lemongrass flavours; good tense minerally finish too. S- De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc […]

Southern Hemisphere Sauvignon Blanc


Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2009, Central Valley (£6.99 Oddbins, Majestic, Asda, Booths, Budgens, Londis, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Somerfield, Tesco, Waitrose) Refreshing, young, almost chillable Pinot, with plush plum, raspberry and cherry flavours and a soft, earthy finish. B(-) Cono Sur Pinot Noir Reserva 2008, Casablanca (£7.99 The Co-op, Tesco) Lighter but […]

Four Chilean Pinot Noirs plus a Burgundian interloper