Bordeaux


Four wines, all made under the guidance of consultant winemaker Olivier Dauga. Based on this quartet, the Dauga style seems to be less flashy, less oaky, less ripe, less malo-in-barrel-y than that of Michel Rolland. This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing, merely a matter of personal […]

Four red Bordeaux all made with TLC from Olivier Dauga


A dozen wines from Naked Wines arrived on the doorstep – here’s what I thought of the first six… Château Lagrave Cissan Listrac-Médoc 2005, Bordeaux, France (£12.99 www.nakedwines.com) Gentle, tender claret, with touches of gravel, tobacco and cedar to its blackcurranty fruit, and a refreshing finish. S- Ocaso Malbec 2007, […]

Naked Wines Reds – Part 1


Clarendelle is the ‘new’ range of generic Bordeaux from one of the finest addresses in Bordeaux. May I quote from a press release that accompanied them…. ‘According to Prince Robert of Luxembourg, great-grandson of Clarence Dillon and President of Château Haut-Brion; “Clarendelle’s style and structure represent elegance, complexity and balance. […]

Clarendelle from the owners of Haut-Brion



More from the batches of wine that arrived from Morrisons & The Wine Society – this time it’s the reds (the whites are here). The Society’s Claret NV (Sichel), Bordeaux, France (£5.95/£5.42 The Wine Society) Leafy, sappy, young and refreshing unoaked style, uncomplicated tender and fruity, does just what it […]

Blind Tasting: Morrisons & The Wine Society Part 2


The remaining trio from the clarets that had been hogging the wine rack… Château Preuillac Médoc 2004 (£14 Soho Wine Supply) Nose is a combination of ripe, even overripe fruit with a smoky edge that tends towards the fishy (think smoked mackerel). There’s quite nice ripe blackcurrant, plum and berry, […]

Whistlestop Bordeaux Part 2/2


Had eight Bordeaux reds hanging around waiting to be tasted – here are the first five… Château Maynes-Graves Bordeaux Supérieur 2007 (£7.99 Corney & Barrow) Earthy redcurrant, blackcurrant, cedar, young, refreshing, touch of vanilla, not complex but good Sunday lunch, roast meat type of wine. B- Château Martouret Bordeaux Supérieur […]

Whistlestop Bordeaux Part 1/2