Xerolithia White, Peza 2008, Crete, Greece (£7.99 Oddbins) Nice mix of richness and crispness, rounded and fleshy, with some pineapple flavours, but also a slightly pithy, piney edge and an almost volcanic note on the finish. B(+) Alois Lageder ‘Vogelmaier’ Moscato Giallo 2006, Alto Adige, Italy (£7.60 in the Bibendum […]
Bordeaux
A rather diverse sextet of sparkling wines that I’ve just tried from various parts of France and northern Italy… Blason de Bourgogne Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé NV (£9.99 Waitrose) Slightly bitter edge, but then opens up to show ripe raspberry and cherry. Not complex but a nice drink. B- Réserve […]
Sparkling sextet – Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Prosecco
Ferngrove “Symbols” Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2009, Frankland River, Western Australia (£8.99-£9.50 Seckford Agencies) Crisp, grassy, herby, with the Semillon adds punchy pungent weight to the citrussy treble notes of Sauvignon. Nice seafood style. B+ Leaping Lizard Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Western Australia (£7.99-£8.50 Seckford Agencies) Not as immediate and forward as the […]
Semillon – a very fine swan indeed
All with Merlot as the predominant grape. Château de Sours Bordeaux Rouge 2007, France (~£11) Crunchy young wine, fresh and earthy but with pleasing plump plum and blackcurrant fruit behind, touches of smoke and vanilla, clean refreshing finish. B(+) Clos Cantenac St Emilion Grand Cru 2007, Bordeaux, France (~£25 contact […]
A quartet of Bordeaux reds
Domaine du Tariquet Sauvignon Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne 2008, South West France (~£5-6) Clean, fresh, herbaceous wine, touches of tomato and gooseberry, starts of refreshing but the finish is slightly lifeless. B- Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Central Valley, Chile (£6.99 Sainsbury’s, Asda – both are […]
Four Sauvignons – but not all Blanc
The Berry Bros & Rudd 2008 en primeur tasting last week in London threw up as many questions as it answered. For example… 1) Why were the 2008s better than the 2007s at some estates whereas at nearby properties the opposite was true? 2) Why were the 2008s more expensive […]